Experiencing the Presence of God – A Spiritual Retreat
September 26-27, 2008 (with optional Saturday overnight to Sept. 28^th) 

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     You are invited to Montgomery Presbyterian Conference Center for a spiritual retreat focused on experiencing the presence of God in everyday life.  We will gather at 6PM for dinner on Friday night followed by an opportunity to share experiences in community and worship.  On Saturday there will be structured time to learn about various spiritual practices and to experience them first hand.  There will also be time for individual prayer and reflection as well as informal conversation with other retreat participants.  An optional extension overnight Saturday enables participants to have a full weekend of spiritual retreat and adjourns after Sunday worship.

Spiritual Offerings (Participants will be assigned to 3 sessions based on their preferences):

Centering Prayer – a form of Christian meditation to quiet ourselves and invite the action of the Holy Spirit within us. Elder Cynthia Graham

Christian Meditation – learn about focusing your mind on the breath as a way to open to God’s movement within you and a deeper experience of the unity of creation.  Rev. Hunter Camp

Family Spiritual Formation – explore as a family how to nurture spiritual formation at home. This session is designed for parents, for youth, and/or for whole families.  Rev. Amy Camp, Rev. Curtis, Rev. Day, Rev. Furr-Vancini, Rev.  Thomas-Bush, and Rev. Thompson.

Group Spiritual Practice – participate in community to nurture one another in awareness of God in all aspects of life and to support one another other in our responsiveness to God.  Rev. Rebecca Langer

Imagination with Scripture – enter into Bible stories in your imagination and reflect on scripture from multiple perspectives. Rev. Susan Takis

Labyrinth – experience this archetype, divine imprint, found in all religious traditions in various forms around the world, a metaphor for our spiritual journey. Rev. John Ragsdale

Lectio Divina – read the Bible prayerfully while listening for how God is addressing us in a particular text of scripture. Rev. Susan Takis

Praying with the Psalms – review seven types of Psalms and pray with a variety of the Psalms that express our deepest emotions of fear, grief, hope, pain, suffering, and joy. Rev. Earle Sickels

Spiritual Direction – participate in a one-on-one session with a fellow pilgrim on the spiritual path, sharing experiences and insights on how God moves in our lives. Rev. Amy Camp, Elder Cynthia Graham, Rev. Rebecca Langer, and Rev. John Ragsdale.

Tai Chi as Body Prayer – learn Tai Chi fundamentals and practice Tai Chi as body prayer.  This session is for the novice or experienced practitioner. Rev. Hunter Camp

Visual Spiritual Autobiography – ponder your own personal journey and create a record of its path with symbols.  This is a visual way of mapping and praying with your life and faith journey.  Rev. Rebecca Langer

Spirituality for Children and Youth – children (pre-K thru Grade 5) and youth (Grade 6 and up) will get their own introduction to spiritual practices and an opportunity to try them during the session.   Rev. Amy Camp, Rev. Curtis, Rev. Day, Rev. Furr-Vancini, Rev.  Thomas-Bush, and Rev. Thompson.

REGISTRATION 

Register: Presbytery of St. Augustine (904-733-8277 extension 10 or 800-440-9477)
Registrar: Nancy Brown 800-440-9477, extension 23 (nbrown@staugpres.org)
Register by Sept. 5^th: Single occupancy is $99/person.  Multiple occupancy is $79/person.
Late Registration fee after September 5th: $25/person.
Optional Saturday night stay: add $99 for Single occupancy or $79/person for Multiple occupancy

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