Three days and four nights of teaching and reflection...
The Ancient Harmony. There is a tune resonating in the center of all matter. The tune is a sound coming from the beginning of time....vibrating through everything that has being. It is an organizing, directing and sustaining song at the heart of all living things. It is at the heart of you and me. If this song is at the heart's core, all living things are not only related; they all are formed with God in the center. How does this universal song lead us to a new understanding of incarnation - for us as individuals and for the world around us?
The Broken Harmony. When we lose touch with what is good inside us and with what is truly important, we are more than out of tune - we are in danger of losing our ability to hear the melody. Disconnection from the tune is a brokenness within us and between us. How do we discover, name, and confess the depths of our brokenness on the pathway to wholeness?
The New Ancient Harmony. 'Harmony' means two or more voices in relationship. When we add our voice to the ancient song within, we are creating a new, unique harmony. The New Ancient Harmony is an invitation to participate in the song calling from deep within, and the weaving of your voice with that song is an experience of God. How will we join the New Ancient Harmony? What will be the cost, both personal and collective, for real transformation?
The Rhythm of Our Time Together
Each morning John Philip Newell will lead us in simple chants and will direct us in meditative practices. His teaching will draw on ancient Christian tradition especially through the lens of Celtic spirituality.
Each evening Judy Brown will help us reflect on the mornings teachings and help us understand how the lessons can lead us to live and act in new ways. She will facilitate personal reflection as well as community dialogue. Her poetry will be a tool to encourage new creativity.
Throughout the retreat Fran McKendree and his fellow musicians will literally teach us to harmonize. Brian Prior will share stories and lead us in prayer. The weaving of story, song and prayer will deepen the theological lessons and our sense of community.
Come for -
Sanctuary... a time and place set apart from the world where sacred work can be done
Sustenance... on offering of nourishment for the hungry soul
Inspiration... wisdom teaching that challenges and calls us to reconnect to the beauty of our deepest identity
One of the most challenging questions arising from participation in conferences evoking change and growth is "How do I integrate this new understanding, this 'opening' I'm feeling into my every day life?" Our hope and our intention is that you will go home with new tools to enable that integration.
Keynoters
John Philip Newell
is a poet, a scholar and a teacher. Formerly
Warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland, he is currently
Companion Theologian for the American Spirituality Centre of Casa
del Sol in the high desert of New Mexico. He is internationally
acclaimed for his work in the field of Celtic spirituality, including his
best known titles Listening for the Heartbeat of God
and Christ of the
Celts, as well as his poetic book of prayer Sounds of the Eternal. He is
a Church of Scotland minister with a passion for peace in the world
and a fresh vision for harmony between the great spiritual traditions
of humanity. Canadian by birth, he lives in Edinburgh with his family
where he undertook his doctoral research in Celtic Christianity. Since
then he has played a leading role on both sides of the Atlantic in the
re-birthing of a creation spirituality for today.
jphilipnewell.com
Judy Brown
is an educator, speaker, facilitator, poet and writer,
whose work in organizations revolves around themes of renewal,
change, learning, creativity, dialogue and the practices of inspiring
leadership. Her books include A Leader's Guide to Reflective
Practice
and a collection of her poetry, The Sea Accepts All Rivers.
She teaches leadership at the University of Maryland and works with
leadership groups from a wide range of sectors. She has a passion
for ideas and practices that simultaneously connect us with the world
of spirit and the world of practice. Her commitment is to helping
people return "home" with new perspective and new practices for
living into life's challenges and life's bounty. A native of a small
fishing village in northern Michigan, her heritage is that of agriculture
and cooperative extension, which has given her a commitment to the
practical use of ideas, frameworks, rich language, reflection and especially
silence, as a way to transform our lives and our work.
judysorumbrown.com
Musicians
Fran McKendree
is an inspiring and innovative musician. At the
age of 15, his parents wisely gave him a guitar for Christmas, sparing
themselves hours of clarinet lessons. Playing that very guitar and
reluctantly singing, he formed a trio, entered a talent contest, won
first prize - a slot on a folk music radio show - and was hooked. A
few years later, he formed "McKendree Spring." This innovative band
went on to record 7 albums and extensively tour the US, Canada and
the UK, performing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The
Fillmore East, and the first rock concert ever at Radio City Music
Hall, eventually earning a spot in an exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame.
In his heart a different path was beckoning him, and he
emerged from a period of soul searching to follow this calling. It
led him to the Episcopal church. Since 1984, he has been traveling
the country; doing concerts, mentoring young people, designing and
coordinating conferences, and as a consultant, worship music leader
and keynote speaker. Fran has released ten recordings of his own,
and produced numerous other artists at his studio in Hendersonville,
NC, where he now lives with his wife, Diana. Fran and colleague Ann
Holtz have recently founded "AwakeningSoul" and he is grateful for
the opportunity to partner with Ann and Brian to present "A New
Ancient Harmony." franmckendree.com
Fran has recorded one of Judy Brown's poems, 'Fire.' It's available on Fran's
latest cd 'Awake' available for preview and purchase at CDBaby.com
and iTunes.
Listen to the full length track below:
River Guerguerian
has been inspiring audiences with his ecstatic
and versatile percussion for over 25 years. Whether playing with
world-class symphonies or studio musicians, partnering with
Grammy-award winning composers, or creating dynamic plays of
rhythm for his own projects, River's passion and attention to the
vibrant life of the drum reverberates throughout the crowd. He has
performed in concert halls in Tokyo, Moscow, Rome, Berlin, Hong
Kong, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, London, including such renowned
venues as Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, and Lincoln Center.
Drawing on his diverse background, River plays all genres of music
pulling original sound from Frame Drums, Middle Eastern and Afro-
Cuban percussion, Drumset, Marimba, Tabla, Kanjira, Cajon, Gongs,
Singing Bowls, Loopers, and various found objects. guerguerian.com
Charles Milling
is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music. He
has performed live for over 20 years, sharing the stage (and altar)
with countless A-list musicians from every style and genre of music
imaginable. On tour with his band, Charles plays large Episcopal
youth gatherings, diocesan events, retreats and parish functions. At
home in Southeast Florida, Charles works in parish ministry, directing
and performing with his professional church band, high school band,
middle school band, college grad band and secular band.
Lindsay Blount is an American folk and jazz vocalist born and
raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her musical experience before
attending the Berklee College in Boston consisted of playing
jazz and folk with Palm Beach artists and bands in varying settings.
After finishing her BA at Berklee in 2009, she traveled to
Germany where she is currently playing and traveling with the Boy
Meets Girl Duo and the Lindsey Tyler Blount Quartet in Germany,
France, and Switzerland.
Chaplain
Brian Prior
is the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Church in
Minnesota. Before being called to Minnesota, Brian served as the
founding rector of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in
Spokane, WA., vice president of the House of Deputies and youth
ministry coordinator for Province VIII. Brian is a self described campkid
who became a camp director at the age of 20 beginning a life
long passion for retreat ministry. A chance meeting at the first EYE
(Episcopal Youth Event) in the early 80's began a long partnership
with Fran McKendree in providing a holy space for individuals and communities
to move more deeply into the presence of God.
Event Coordinator
Ann Holtz
is an independent consultant working with groups and
individuals as they deal with issues of transition. Ann spent 16 years
with ALCOA and then worked for 5 years for the Episcopal Church
Foundation as the national coordinator for Fresh Start. She has
extensive experience in leading retreats, developing and
implementing training programs, and facilitating intact work groups,
teams and congregations. Ann has an under graduate degree in
Chemical Engineering, a masters degree in Applied Behavioral
Science and is a certified spiritual director.
Costs
Tier 1
Costs include four nights superior lodging, the program and eleven meals
$665
Tier 2
Costs include four nights basic lodging, the program and eleven meals
$640
Commuter
Costs include the program and eleven meals
$490
Single rooms are limited and will be offered on a first come first serve basis.
Ask us about scholarship/partnership opportunities and child care.
For more information about the conference contact Ann Holtz at awakening2011@att.net
or 865-414-8509
For more information about Lutheridge, lodging and registration contact sdelap@llmi.org
or 828-684-2361
