Mystic Teresa of Avila spoke of an experience of "awareness, absorbed and amazed." So much of our modern-day experience divides our attention and numbs our senses. We invite you to come away for a day or weekend retreat to recover or discover a way of seeing and being that is fully alive. With an artist's eye we will see anew the beauty of our natural surroundings and our inner nature, finding ourselves in the heart of Creation. And we will be truly amazed.
For those wanting to come for the weekend, arrive at the retreat house between 5 and 7 pm, make yourself at home, and explore the autumn hills before dinner at 7:00. After dinner we will have a brief time for introductions and a simple meditation to help us further unwind and be present to our retreat experience.
For those wanting to come for Saturday only, the program begins at 10 am. After welcoming new retreatants and a brief introduction of our theme, we will disperse and spend the rest of the morning outside, each practicing a drawing meditation.
After lunch, we will walk mindfully and in silence together to the art cottage where we will be introduced to painting meditation, inviting nature again as well as our imagination to awaken us to the Presence.
At 4:00 we will gather in the art cottage to reflect on the day's experience. Dinner will be served in the retreat house at 5:30. The evening is free for an evening walk, quiet reflection, or art on your own in the cottage.
Following breakfast at 9:00 and a simple prayer service Sunday morning, we will have the opportunity to draw and paint to our Heart's desire! Lunch will be served at 12:30, with departure by 3 pm.
Cost for the entire weekend: $100 (includes materials, lodging, and meals). Cost for Saturday only: $50 (includes materials, lunch and dinner)
Retreat leader Trish Stefanik is on staff at the Servant Leadership School in Washington, D.C., serving in many capacities including leading classes in Art as a Contemplative Practice. She is currently completing study in Contemplative Group Leadership with the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. She will be living at Rolling Ridge for a year starting January 2006 as a Contemplative Artist in Residence.
Co-Facilitator Keith Lyndaker Schlabach is a member of the Rolling Ridge Study Retreat Staff Community where he has lived for the past twelve years. He is an artist, musician, and writer and chairs the RRSRC Meditative Arts Committee.
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 Oct Med Arts, 186 Tupelo Lane, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. Registrations should include any dietary needs.