The season of Advent is an annual invitation to quietly reflect on what gives us hope as we hear again the ancient prophetic stories of light in the darkness, of dreams, of stars, and angelic visitations. The mystery and wonder of these echoing images bring us to new awareness of the gift and power of story to heal and transform.
Yet often the quiet song of the nativity narratives and other essential stories is muffled by the raucous, strident drumbeat of our modern distorted and consumer-skewed worldview. This retreat is designed to help each of us turn away for a time from the dissonant chords of what’s not working in our lives and open to the new stories that want to be born among us.
The shepherds were people of the field and mountain, of solitude, stillness, and the night sky; the magi were men of heart, intuition, and dream; of journey and connection. Inspired by their example, we too will listen to the stories that mountain and stream, that winged ones and four-legged ones, that bare-branched trees and stars tell us, these guardians and guides to the wildness and imagination of the earth. We will attend to the ancient voices of our ancestors in the biblical narratives and the stories of indigenous peoples, to the prayers of the future ones, and to the quiet whispers of our hearts. It will be a joyful, inspiring journey into these ancient stories, poetry, and attending to night and waking dreams, with generous time for quiet wandering in the winter woods, journaling, and gathered times of storytelling, movement, play and ceremony.
Come to Rolling Ridge this Advent to prepare for a season of hope. Let the forest and stars and the luminous poetry of manger and mystery lead you to your own chapter of a new story that even now is emerging in our world—a story of compassion, interdependence, and the prodigious power of imagination.
Retreat Leaders:
Lindsay McLaughlin is a writer, dancer, and member of Rolling Ridge Study Retreat Community. She is on the staff of Friends of Silence, a nonprofit endeavor to facilitate others in reverencing silence, prayer, and contemplation. Her experience includes leading numerous retreats exploring the gift of story and celebrating the sacred circles of community and connection
Julie Gabrielli is an architect, teacher, filmmaker, and writer. She is interested in exploring ways to tell the new stories that are emerging in our culture. Her experience includes designing buildings and places from new/old paradigms; community engagement for sustainability, and cultivating joy, creativity, attention and reverence.
This retreat will be held at Rolling Ridge Study Retreat House, a six bedroom cabin in a wilderness setting near Harpers Ferry, WV. Rolling Ridge is accessible by car only. The retreat begins with supper at 7 pm on Friday and concludes with lunch on Sunday. Fee for the retreat is $200 and includes lodging for two nights, six meals and program. To reserve your place, email lindsay.rollingridge@gmail.com and request an application to be returned with a $50 deposit.