Your Own Prayer Beads:
Building a Way to Pray
That Defines You and Your Life
Rolling Ridge
Meditative Arts Retreat
March 20-22, 2009
Friday evening - Sunday afternoon
Slipping beads between fingers while engaged in prayer has been part of faith traditions for centuries among Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians. Many people who pray with prayer beads find it a meditative act and prayer aid. Others have grown up with prayer bead traditions but have never been able to connect a personal spirituality with the practice.
At this retreat you will have a chance to create a prayer bead practice for yourself that meets you where you are now and sustains your desire for a richer personal prayer life. It doesn't matter if you've never had a prayer bead tradition or you put away your rosary years ago, because you'll be building your own way to approach prayer mindfully. Retreatants will be given an introduction to prayer traditions in various faiths, then be asked to consider what their own personal prayer needs are and what shape they might take. After exploring possible designs on paper, retreatants will start working with beads and materials provided. Retreatants are welcome to bring materials to include that add meaning, familial or cultural significance. A Saturday evening of silence can engage you in prayer practice or refine your beads. A Sunday morning gathering celebrates the weekend and the embodiment of the spirit in our new-found tools.
Gather on the First Night of Spring for a weekend of contemplation, discussions and sharing, creativity, and prayer, along with delicious meals and walks in the woods reawakening to life. Leaders will be Mary Watters and Trish Stefanik, with assistance from Linda DeGraf and others from the Rolling Ridge Study Retreat Community.
Participants are welcome to arrive at the Retreat House between 5 and 7 pm on Friday night. Dinner will be served at 6:30. The retreat will conclude 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 full amount) to reserve your space. Checks should be made out to RRSRC and mailed to the address below. Let us know if you have dietary or other special needs.