Throughout the month of May we have focused on anchoring in times of chaos and have learned tools for steadying ourselves as we head into the summer. As June approaches, we recognize that many of you have different rhythms this time of year. There is typically more togetherness and travel with hopefully fewer places to be and a slower pace, so we want to take this month to focus on delight. Our prayer is to draw near to the Lord through play, joy, and savoring God’s goodness all around us.
Which leads us to how we will kick off this theme with a special evening event, Savor, on Tuesday, June 4th, from 6:00-8:00. This is an opportunity to relax, enjoy, and savor the beautiful grounds at The Retreat House. At the Savor event, enjoy a picnic style evening, a lemonade bar, and thoughtful, outdoor seating arrangements that set the table for you to enjoy a night out with those you love. We hope this will be a beautiful evening of delight together. Learn more and sign up here
Our next Content Conversations webinar will be Tuesday, June 11th, from 10:00-11:00. Building on the theme of delight in relationships, we will tackle the topic of parenting, but not in the way you might expect. This webinar will be led by Allison Bradsher who has experienced a significant shift in herself as a parent through her training and practice of spiritual direction and spiritual formation. She will share how her experience as a spiritual director and retreat leader has influenced how she relates to her kids. This would be a great way to gain fresh perspective and encouragement heading into summer parenting! Remember that you can participate in this webinar live and have the chance to ask questions in the chat, or you can purchase the recording if you are unable to attend. Screens are off, so the pressure to interact is minimal, but we do want you to be able to ask the things that come to mind as you listen. Learn more and sign up here
On Wednesday, June 19th, we will host our Summer Silent Retreat from 9:30-12:30 with the option to stay on the grounds until 2:00. With this new format we begin at 9:30 with coffee, tea, and light snacks provided, we guide you into the silence with some teaching and a practice guide, and then we gather and close at 12:30 with the practice of lectio divina. You are invited to bring your own lunch and stay to enjoy the grounds of The Retreat House and even extend your silence until 2:00pm. Learn more and sign up here
Then on Tuesday June 25th, from 6:00-8:00 in the evening, we will have our next somatic offering focused on how to move from dysregulation to regulation in your nervous system. This will be taught by our very own, Dr. Kevin Shelby and Britney Christie. Feeling dysregulated can be the opposite of delightful, but it is important to remember that we are not going to be in a constant state of delight. Stress is a part of our human experience, and we believe you move through these experiences by attuning to the body (soma). The feeling of coming back home to a state of regulation can certainly bring a sense of peace and opens us up to receive the moments of delight all around us. Learn more and sign up here
Lastly, we will continue to have our Open Hours opportunities. Those will be offered on Monday, June 3rd, and Thursday, June 27th, from 10:00-2:00. These are times when we are open for visitors (you!) to come enjoy a restful, reflective space without any cost or registration. Check your calendar and plan to stop by.
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