"Faith is a gift of spirit that allows the soul to remain attached to its own unfolding." Thomas Moore-Care of the Soul
How does transformation happen?
Is it a matter of getting rid of, paring away, simplifying, declaring what is essential? Or is it about building up, doing more, gathering in? Is it spurred by friction, by being interwoven with others? Is it about seeking a teacher or spiritual guide? Fasting and letting go? Embracing our inner child? Playing, wondering, being fools?
Come away to the woods and take time to explore these questions with your hands, with silent reflection and mealtime discussions, and with the good company of others. Soap carving, clay work, and felting will become metaphors for reflecting on who we are and how we change and grow in our relationship to God.
We will enjoy the rhythms of working with our hands and then take time in silence and with music to reflect on our experiences with each medium. Our meditation is in the process of creating and engaging with the materials. Even if you have never worked with these mediums before, they are accessible and relatively "friendly" to everyone!
Participants are welcome to arrive at the retreat house between 5 and 7 pm on Friday. Dinner will be served at 7:00. The retreat will end with lunch on Sunday.
Cost for the weekend is $100 (which includes materials, lodging, and meals). Space is limited. Please send a $25 deposit (or the entire amount) to reserve your space. For questions, please call Keith at 304-725-4301. Checks should be made out to RRSRC, and mailed to RRSRC, c/o March 06 Med Arts, 186 Tupelo Lane, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. Registrations should include any dietary needs.
Linda DeGraf is a teacher and an artist who works with quilting and felting as well as other mediums. She was active in Sojourners Community in Washington DC for many years and has been a member of Circle Community Church in Mt. Rainier, MD where she lives.
Make your plans now to attend these other Artist Refuge Retreats sponsored by Meditative Arts in 2006 and 2007:
- Mysteries of Creation: Patterns in Nature with Artist-in-Residence Trish Stefanik (October 6-8, 2006)
- PeaceGrooves Festival: The Art of Peace (July 1, 2006)
- The Illuminated Word: A Writing Retreat (March 16-18, 2007)
- Working through Grief with Art (October 5-7, 2007)