Past Events

For our children to know the earth they will need time for outdoor adventure, frequent immersion in the living scripture of the earth--both in their own backyards and in wilder more spacious places--and they will need a loving adult companion with whom they can share their insights, discoveries, fears and questions.

We live in a time when our children have less and less direct experience with the living earth. But for most of our evolution as a species, our children grew up with their hands in the clay earth, their ears filled with the sound of wind and storm, their eyes filled with the movement of clouds, sun and moon. If our children today grow up with less and less direct experience of God's creation, what will they know of God?

Why do we have such a wonderful idea of God? Because we live in such a gorgeous world. If we had lived on the moon, for example, our sense of the divine would reflect the lunar landscape. Imagination is required for religious development. What would there be to imagine if we lived on the moon? -- by Thomas Berry, Befriending the Earth.

On Mother's Day weekend, this 24-hour retreat is designed for pairs of one adult and one child (ages 6-12). In addition, other adults may wish to come who would like to reflect on the experiences of their inner child and their intimacy with God through God's creation.

This retreat will include:

• a campfire time of stories and songs celebrating the living earth
• star gazing in the open field
• time for adults to reflect together on selected readings on this theme
• time for children to explore the land as a small group
• each adult/child pair to be together and to choose their own adventure/experience on the land
• making a nature journal with maps, drawings, plant pressings, observations, stories, poems, etc.
• a reading nook for book, stories, field guides, etc. for both adults and children

Lodging will be at the Retreat House and Pinestone House. There is an option to camp if you would like. The leaders are Jim Hall, Cheryl Hellner, and Vivian Headings. For more information and to register for the retreat, you may email vvatrr@juno.com or call Vivian at 304-725-4172.

In this 24-hour retreat, we will explore various forms of listening prayer as suggested by ancient contemplative traditions, including prayer with breath, scripture, movement, and song. With a rhythm of words and silence, community and solitude, worship and leisure, explaining and experiencing, we will practice together different ways of slowing down and listening, of "being still and knowing God."

Four ancient spiritual practices will be explored through the day, with a short teaching presentation, opportunity for discussion, and time for individual and group practice:

• breath prayer, using the practice of attentive stillness to explore the connection between our deepest heart desires and the biblical notion of unceasing prayer
• body or movement prayer using a walking meditation through the stone labyrinth
• song prayer using Taize chants in the meditation shelter
• scripture prayer using the practice of lectio divina, reflecting together on a short biblical passage

Ethel has recently completed her Masters of Theological Studies from the Washington Theological Union in Washington, DC, with a concentration in Spirituality Studies. She is a graduate of the Shalem Institute's Spiritual Guidance Program, and is active in spiritual direction and retreat leading. She is a member of Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church where she offers leadership in music, education and worship programs.

Rolling Ridge is an ecumenical Christian study retreat community located on 1400 acres of wilderness near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, about two hours from Washington DC. Retreat events focus on spirituality, biblical studies, meditative arts, earthkeeping, peacemaking and community.

Plan to arrive in time for a 7:00 pm evening meal at the Rolling Ridge Retreat House. The retreat includes four meals and one night lodging. The cost of the retreat is $50 (partial scholarships available). An optional second night is available for those who wish to stay at the retreat house an extra day. Please add $10 to the retreat fee if you wish to do this.

To register for the event, or for more information, contact Bob Sabath, Rolling Ridge Study Retreat Community, RR 4 Box 314, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. Phone: 304-724-6653. Email: bsabath@sojo.net. Web: www.rollingridge.net