Seasonal Quiet Days: Winter
2019-01-10 09:30 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Between the darkness of winter and the light of Epiphany, we go within…
The stillness of a winter day is a perfect backdrop for reflecting upon the year past and pondering the one ahead.
Join us for this peaceful retreat day and enjoy quiet time, prayer and thoughtful conversation. Using scripture, poetry and music, we will take time to consider our experiences, intentions and the path before us, waiting for God’s presence to inspire us.
The Retreat House grounds may be chilly in January but they are also beautiful–inviting peaceful, contemplative walking. There are also plenty of warm comfortable spaces inside for journaling, meditation and prayer.
A light breakfast and lunch will be served and a suggested donation of $40 per person will be gratefully accepted. This amount is just a guideline — please don’t let finances keep you from attending!
PLEASE REGISTER at https://rhquietdays3.eventbrite.com. All are welcome!

ABOUT THE RETREAT LEADER: Julia Morris-Myers loves discovering the sacred in relaxed conversation and everyday life. She is a musician, teacher and spiritual director on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she lives with her husband and assorted pets. Julia is the Director of Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville and has certificates in leading groups and in spiritual direction from the Shalem Institute in Washington, DC, and Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville MD.

Deep Preaching in Shallow Times
2019-02-09 09:30 - 12:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Deep Preaching in Shallow Times: Negotiating Power in the Public Square
In this session we will explore the ways that a renewal of biblical preaching confronts the powers of divisiveness active in our world. The session will provide perspectives and techniques to deepen one’s preaching to meet the challenges of the day.
A light breakfast is included and lunch will be available upon request. A suggested donation of $50 per person will be gratefully accepted. Please don’t let finances keep you from attending — all are welcome!
Please register at https://rhpreach.eventbrite.com or contact us at info@retreathousehillsboro.org.

ABOUT THE RETREAT LEADER – The Rev. Mark Jefferson currently serves as Visiting Professor of Homiletics at Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS), in Alexandria, Virginia. He also serves as Associate Director of the Deep Calls to Deep preaching program, an initiative supported by a Lilly grant to cultivate embodied preaching. Rev. Jefferson is a presence on social media and his blogs are featured on Urban Cusp and The Root.

Spelling Doesn't Count: Writing as Spiritual Practice
2019-02-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Holy Trinity Oxford, 502 S. Morris St., Oxford, MD, 21654, United States
What would it be like to write just for you and God?
Deepen your awareness of the holy in everyday life, and explore new ways that writing can enhance the life of the spirit.
Led by VTS Adjunct Professor Kathy Staudt
Please register once for all sessions.
SPECIAL NOTE: Held at Holy Trinity Church in Oxford, this workshop is a partnership of The Retreat House and Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary and is an experiment with remote locations for classes being offered at the Seminary. Retreat House staff will facilitate parts of the class that will be discreet from discussions on campus led by VTS Adjunct Professor Kathy Staudt. Contact Francie with any questions by email at francie@retreathousehillsboro.org.

Spelling Doesn't Count: Writing as Spiritual Practice
2019-02-28 16:00 - 18:00, 2019-03-07 16:00 - 18:00, 2019-03-14 16:00 - 18:00 | Holy Trinity Oxford, 502 S. Morris St., Oxford, MD, 21654, United States
What would it be like to write just for you and God?
Deepen your awareness of the holy in everyday life, and explore new ways that writing can enhance the life of the spirit.
Led by VTS Adjunct Professor Kathy Staudt and Retreat House Director Francie Thayer
Please register once for all sessions.
SPECIAL NOTE: Held at Holy Trinity Church in Oxford, this workshop is a partnership of The Retreat House and Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary and is an experiment with remote locations for classes being offered at the Seminary. Retreat House staff will facilitate parts of the class that will be discreet from discussions on campus led by VTS Adjunct Professor Kathy Staudt. Contact Francie with any questions by email at francie@retreathousehillsboro.org.

Lenten Quiet Day: Blessing the Divine
2019-03-09 09:30 - 14:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Lenten Quiet Day: Blessing the Divine
As mature adults, we have spent many seasons of our lives recounting our mistakes and making amends. With this maturity comes the wisdom to acknowledge, and seek forgiveness for, the mistakes we make along the way.
During this Lenten Quiet Day, we will look at the nature of atonement and take a different kind of inventory, examining lessons learned from our mistakes and the resulting gifts we bring to life.With these lessons and gifts in mind, we will bless the Divine and consider how to share them with others.
Breakfast and lunch will be available and a suggested donation of $40 per person will be gratefully accepted. This is just a guideline — please don’t let finances keep you from attending. All are welcome!
About the leader: Linda Mastro is a spiritual pilgrim, life coach and spiritual director trained through the Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center in Marriottsville, Maryland. A parishioner of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Easton, Linda serves in liturgical ministry. A writer and workshop leader, Linda is co-author of the book Petite Retreats: Renewing Body, Mind, and Spirit without Leaving Home. Linda lives in Easton, Maryland. Contact Linda at 410-829-4309.

Sisters on the Journey
2019-03-10 13:30 - 15:30 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Sisters on the Journey continues as we gather on the 2nd Sunday of each month to open the gifts of time and quiet. We invite a free flowing meditative journey, including journaling, walking the labyrinth, restful stretching and tea.
Come and be nourished, relax into the Holy stillness and rhythm of the unfolding season.
REGISTER TODAY
A suggested donation of $30 per session would be gratefully accepted upon your arrival, but please don’t let finances keep you from attending. Everyone is welcome!

Day of Retreat for People in their 20's and 30's
2019-03-16 10:00 - 15:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
This retreat day is designed for those in their 20’s and 30’s who:
– are looking for a restorative day of prayer with others that includes silence and time in nature
– wish to learn more about contemplative prayer in the Christian tradition and explore different contemplative practices.
During this retreat, we will explore an introduction to the tradition of contemplative prayer as we unwind into the gifts of quiet and nature. Participants will engage in sessions of contemplative practices of gratitude and prayerful movement with time for silence, walking on the beautiful Retreat House grounds, sharing and discussion.
Please register online at https://rhdayofretreat.eventbrite.com or contact us by email at info@retreathousehillsboro.org
ABOUT THE RETREAT LEADERS:
Patience Robbins has been a spiritual director for 30 years. Patience has worked in parish, campus and retreat ministries. She has led programs for over 20 years at Shalem Institute and has written a booklet, Parenting: A Sacred Path, published by the Center for Children and Theology (www.cctheo.org). Patience lives in Greenbelt, MD, with her husband.

Heather Strang is a graduate of the Shalem Institute Spiritual Guidance Program and is a contemplative small group facilitator, retreat leader and culinary teacher. Heather is a Lay Eucharistic Minister, a Listening Hearts leader, and a healing prayer minister with St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. She resides with her husband in Annapolis, Maryland.

SISTERS ON THE JOURNEY Tea, Meditation, Pause
2019-04-14 13:30 - 15:30 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Please join us to celebrate the sacred in nature and receive the gift of quiet renewal. This is the perfect time to return to the Journey, come for the first time, or to explore with a friend.
We will spend a few minutes in the Herb Garden to see and touch mint, chamomile, sage, lavender, sweet grass and other herbs thriving in the spring sunshine.
Local gardener and aromatherapist Elaine Hoggard will be with us to share about each herb’s healing properties as we welcome the fragrance in our breathing meditation.
We will enjoy the refreshment of an herb-infused ice tea in a ceremony to say good-bye until our monthly gathering begins again in the fall.
Light snacks will be available. Although there is no fee for this retreat, a suggested donation of $30 would be gratefully accepted and will be used to offer programs to other Sisters who wish to be on this Journey. All are welcome!

INTUITIVE COLLAGE WORKSHOP ﻿A day of contemplation and creativity
2019-04-20 10:00 - 14:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Using intuition and imagination, you will create your own collaged cards, where each card reflects a different aspect of who you are, expressing the unique beauty, love and divine light within you.
Based on the principles and practices of SoulCollage®, we will explore creative, fun ways to express yourself artfully. Easy to learn, collage cards can be filled with meaningful insights and guidance for your life’s journey. Materials included in workshop fee.
Workshop Leader: Julia Burr-Roveti

*You may also register by email to info@retreathousehillsboro.org

THE ART OF SOULFUL ﻿HEALTHY LIVING
2019-05-04 09:00 - 12:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Writer, farmer, health and wellness advocate Denise Sultenfuss will lead this session based on her “No-FUSS Healthy Living” philosophy and practices.
Having struggled with Lyme’s Disease, Denise shares her experience of how healthy living healed her body and changed her outlook on food and wellness.
The workshop will include a “Whole 30 Breakfast Bowl Buffet, ” instruction for developing soulful eating habits and meal planning, examining how wellness journaling can contribute to better health.
Guest speaker Dr. Tracy Davenport will talk about healthy sleep and rest practices.
*You may also register by email to info@retreathousehillsboro.org

5th Anniversary Picnic!
2019-05-27 16:00 - 18:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Celebrate with us! The Retreat House at Hillsboro’s 5th Anniversary
Please join us for a late afternoon picnic to relax and enjoy the blessings of the last five years. We will have pulled pork, coleslaw, salads, cold drinks and cookies. Feel free to bring a dish!
We are thrilled to be on this journey with you and so grateful for your companionship and support. Can’t be here for the celebration? Please consider making a donation in honor of The Retreat House’s Fifth Anniversary. We still have a lot of growing to do and your continued support is just so deeply appreciated.
RSVP by May 24th to francie@retreathousehillsboro.org or leave a message on our NEW phone (410) 364-7069.

Seasonal Quiet Days Summer
2019-06-20 09:30 - 14:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
The Summer Solstice Quiet Day is an invitation to rest, to dream, to imagine, and be inspired.
Give yourself the restorative gift of time and space to…
… think of summer as “full tide” as we read the words of Celtic poet David Adam.
…explore nature through contemplative photography. (Bring your camera or cell phone!)
…enjoy the sound of summer from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
…walk or sit in nature, write, draw or color.
…reflect on the day’s blessings in conversation
A light breakfast and lunch will be served. A suggested donation of $40 per person will be gratefully accepted and a portion of the proceeds is used for program scholarships. This amount is just a guideline –please don’t let finances keep you from attending!
PLEASE REGISTER at https://rhseasonal4.eventbrite.com. All are welcome!
ABOUT THE RETREAT LEADER: Julia Morris-Myers loves discovering the sacred in everyday life. She is a musician, teacher and spiritual director on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she lives with her husband and assorted pets. Julia is the Director of Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville and has certificates in leading groups and in spiritual direction from the Shalem Institute in Washington, DC, and Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville MD.

Yoga Class - Mondays 6:00 PM
2019-09-09 18:00 - 19:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Bring your yoga mat for these relaxing sessions taught by long time yoga instructor, Helen Spinelli. Beginners are always welcome and everyone moves at their own pace and comfort.
Walk-in session – $10 per person.

Seasonal Quiet Days - Autumn
2019-09-19 09:30 - 14:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
An invitation to reflect, to imagine, and be inspired
During this seasonal quiet day we will think of autumn as the “ebb tide” of the present year, and of our lives in general. Ebb tide can be a time of waning and receding, but also a time of change and opportunity.
Using scripture, poetry, music and silence, we will listen for God’s voice. We will explore the gifts of nature through contemplative photography. Please bring a camera (or use your cell phone.) Finally, we will reflect on the day’s blessings in conversation.
PLEASE REGISTER at https://rhseason5.eventbrite.com. All are welcome!
A light breakfast and lunch will be served. A suggested donation of $40 per person will be gratefully accepted and a portion of the proceeds is used for program scholarships. This amount is just a guideline — please don’t let finances keep you from attending!

Wisdom Circles: At the Water's Edge: The Sacred Space of Transition
2019-09-25 18:00 - 19:30 | J. L. Stam House, 114 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD, 21620, United States
Our lives are punctuated by times of transition. Often we want to rush through these changes to get to the ‘other side’, wherever that is. We don’t want to linger in letting go of what has been while we race toward the next chapter because that might slow us down. We resist the in-between time, which can make us feel ungrounded and lost.
What if these unsettling movements through transition are the sacred spaces that restore us to ourselves, and form us for the next part of the journey? Whatever transition you are experiencing right now the Spirit is on the move with you. Your work at this time is holy work in sacred space.
Using the metaphor of crossing a river, this wisdom circle will explore the sacred spaces of your own transitions. We begin at the edge, move into the shallows, get into deep water and then emerge on the far shore. We’ll begin with contemplative practice and share our experiences with each other.
We’ll leave each session with a practice to go deeper in our explorations. E-mail meditations will be sent the Saturday before each session.
PLEASE REGISTER BY MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Fee: $75 per person
All are welcome regardless of finances, so please inquire about our scholarships.
Pre-registration is required.

ONLINE REGISTRATION: https://conta.cc/2KOfrbZ
MAIL REGISTRATION: The Retreat House, P. O. Box 3, Hillsboro MD 21641, indicate “CHESTERTOWN”
EMAIL: info@retreathousehillsboro.org

Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart: A Retreat for Women
2019-09-27 - 2019-09-29 | Foehliage Retreat Center, 31450 Sassafras River Ave, Galena, MD, 21635
Join us for a spiritual retreat weekend — an opportunity to step away from your daily routine to rest … and to wake up.
In the gentle company of women, we will ponder questions and ideas that spark our imaginations and then, listen for guidance that flows from the practice of paying attention.* All that you need to bring is your self, your senses, and a willingness to see where God may be leading you. Women of all faith traditions are welcome.
We will gather at The Foehliage Retreat Center in Galena, Maryland on Friday afternoon. Check-in is at 3:00 pm, dinner at 6:30 pm, followed by a brief gathering to set the tone for the weekend. Participants will be encouraged to spend the evening in silence.
On Saturday, the program will flow in and out of silence, with plenty of time for journaling, walking on the beautiful grounds, quiet reflection, and conversation. The retreat will be completed on Sunday morning with a worship service and brunch.
Accommodations & Costs
Up to 15 women can be accommodated.
Single rooms – $375 per person*
Shared rooms – $325 per person
*Single rooms are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Rates include:

Program sessions
5 meals: 2 dinners, 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 brunch
Snacks and beverages
Linens and turndown service.

To reserve your space, please contact us at meg@retreathousehillsboro.org or call (410) 364-7069 to see if rooms are still available. Let us know your name and phone number and preferred room type. We will require a $100 deposit and final payment is due September 1, 2019.
Payment Methods:
-Pay by credit card on our website http://retreathousehillsboro.org/donate/ (click on the “Donate” button)
-Pay by check – make checks payable to “The Retreat House” and mail to The Retreat House, P.O. Box 3, Hillsboro MD 21641.
-$100 deposit is due immediately.
-Final payment is due by September 1.
For more information, please contact us:
Retreat Program – Linda Mastro at (410) 829-4309
Accommodations – Meg Gallagher at (410) 960-1044

Wisdom Circle: Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred
2019-10-01 10:00 - 11:30
At the heart of Celtic Christianity is the belief that God can be found everywhere, from the tree outside our window to the cup of tea in ourhands. Using this wisdom we will look at spiritual practices that can aid us in discernment.
Each gathering will include silence, scripture or poetry, journaling and conversation. We will delve deeply into the spiritual practices of crossing thresholds, blessing each moment, soul friendship and others as ways to listen for invitations that call us into alignment with the desires God has for us.
We will be using Christine Valters Paintner’s book, The Soul’s Slow Ripening: 12 Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred as a guide. It is recommended that each participant purchase this paperback book, which is easily available from online sellers.
This group is open to all who desire a deepening of their spiritual life.
PLEASE REGISTER BY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Fee: $75 per person
All are welcome regardless of finances, so please inquire about our scholarships.
Pre-registration is required.

ONLINE REGISTRATION: https://conta.cc/2KOfrbZ
MAIL REGISTRATION: The Retreat House, P. O. Box 3, Hillsboro MD 21641, indicate “Centreville.”
EMAIL: info@retreathousehillsboro.org

5 Day Centering Prayer Retreat
2019-10-21 - 2019-10-25 | Foehliage Retreat Center, 31450 Sassafras River Ave, Galena, MD, 21635
This silent retreat will offer you the opportunity to go deeper into the discipline of Centering Prayer, experience silence, stillness, and communion with God, each other, and creation. Led by the Rev. Carlyle Gill, the sessions will include in-depth teaching about spiritual and psychological dimensions of Centering Prayer that will be woven into multiple daily Centering Prayer
sits. Eucharist will be offered daily, as well as time for individual spiritual direction.

The retreat takes place at The Foehliage (foehliageretreatcenter.org), a private retreat center located on the beautiful Sassafras River in northern Kent County, Maryland. The week begins with lunch on Monday, October 21 and ends with lunch on Friday, October 25.

COST: $695 per person includes single room accommodations, all meals, retreat sessions and spiritual direction. You can enjoy walks, paddling on the Sassafras and quiet sitting in a lovely waterfront setting.
Space is limited. To reserve your spot, please send an email to Meg Gallagher at meg@retreathousehillsboro.org or call (410) 364-7069, and mail a $100 deposit by Monday, September 9 to The Retreat House, P.O. Box 3, Hillsboro, MD 21641. Full payment is due on Monday, October 7.

DAY OF RETREAT for people in their 20’s and 30’s
2019-10-26 10:00 - 15:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
We welcome all to this second retreat day that is designed for those in their 20’s and 30’s who:

are looking for a restorative day of prayer with others that includes silence and time in nature
want to learn more about contemplative prayer in the Christian tradition and explore different contemplative practices.

During this retreat, we will offer an introduction to the tradition of contemplative prayer for those joining for the first time and those returning, as we unwind into the gifts of quiet and nature.
Participants are welcome to engage in sessions of contemplative practices of gratitude and prayerful movement with time for silence, walking on the beautiful Retreat House grounds and optional sharing.
Lunch will be included and a suggested donation of $40 per person will be gratefully accepted. Please don’t let finances keep you from attending–everyone is welcome!
Register online at https://rhdayofretreat2.eventbrite.com

Prayer Services at Historic St. Paul's Church
2019-11-20 17:45 - 18:15 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Centerville, 301 S Liberty Street, Centreville, MD, 21617, United States
Join us in St. Paul’s Church, located next to The Retreat House, for a time of focused prayer.

Prayers of Thanksgiving with Eucharist
Bishop Bud Shand, celebrant

Advent Quiet Day
2019-12-11 09:30 - 14:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Advent is a time of holy waiting amid the busyness of life. This quiet day is an opportunity to slow down and listen for God’s wake up call sounded in scripture, poetry, silence and conversation. You may use this day to prepare your soul for Christmas and to embrace the spiritual gifts that await you this season.
Bring a journal and come dressed for time outside.
Breakfast and lunch will be available and a suggested donation of $40 per person will be gratefully accepted. This is just a guideline — all are welcome regardless of finances.
Please register online or send an email to info@retreathousehillsboro.org.

About the retreat leader: Linda Mastro is a spiritual pilgrim, life coach and spiritual director trained through the Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center in Marriottsville, Maryland. A parishioner of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Easton, Linda serves in liturgical ministry. A writer and workshop leader, Linda is co-author of the book Petite Retreats: Renewing Body, Mind, and Spirit without Leaving Home. Linda lives in Easton, Maryland.

Holiday Candlelight Labyrinth
2019-12-14 16:00 - 18:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Labyrinths date back 4,000 years or more and are found worldwide. Most labyrinths are circular and the center can symbolize many things, such as healing, truth, and divinity. The winding path can represent our journeys towards that center, allowing us to free our minds to receive insight and guidance. Come to The Retreat House on Saturday, December 14 and enjoy a cup of hot cider as you learn how to draw a labyrinth and find out more about its history and traditions. At dusk, we will walk the candlelit labyrinth, and pray for peace in our world.
A suggested donation of $20 will be gratefully accepted (just a guideline – all are welcome regardless of finances.) Please wear warm clothing and shoes appropriate for walking on a grassy surface.
Please register online or send an email to info@retreathousehillsboro.org.

Gathering Greens and Wreath Making
2019-12-15 13:30 - 15:30 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Come share in the fun and holiday spirit and gather pine, magnolia, redwood, boxwood and holly greens to decorate your home. Enjoy HOT CIDER, HOLIDAY TREATS AND a CRACKLING FIRE!
CREATE YOUR OWN SWAG, WREATH OR OTHER DECORATION!
Ribbons, bows, wire, clippers and gloves provided. A free will offering will be gratefully accepted to cover supplies.

The Longest Night Prayer Service
2019-12-18 17:45 - 18:15 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Centerville, 301 S Liberty Street, Centreville, MD, 21617, United States
Join us in St. Paul’s Church, located next to The Retreat House, for a time of focused prayer.
The Longest Night
This worship service, also known as “Blue Christmas” marks the season of the longest night of the year, creating a sacred place for people living through dark times.

Seasonal Quiet Days ~ Winter
2020-01-09 09:30 - 14:00 | The Retreat House, 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, MD, 21641, United States
Winter is a time of bareness, yet also a time of strange beauty. During this Quiet Day, we will explore the “low tides” of our lives, as we look at the past year as well as the new one.
Join us for this peaceful retreat day and enjoy quiet time, prayer and thoughtful conversation. Using scripture, poetry and music, we will take time to consider our experiences and intentions, waiting for God’s presence to inspire us.
The beautiful Retreat House grounds invite peaceful, contemplative walking. Please bring a journal and a camera or smartphone. If weather permits, we will spend some time outdoors discovering the beauty of bare branches and brown earth.
A light breakfast and lunch will be served and a suggested donation of $40 per person will be gratefully accepted. This amount is just a guideline — please don’t let finances keep you from attending!
PLEASE REGISTER at https://conta.cc/36Rv5Nn or send an email to info@retreathousehillsboro.org. All are welcome!

ABOUT THE RETREAT LEADER: Julia Morris-Myers loves discovering the sacred in relaxed conversation and everyday life. She is a musician, teacher and spiritual director on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she lives with her husband and assorted pets. Julia is the Director of Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville and has certificates in leading groups and in spiritual direction from the Shalem Institute in Washington, DC, and Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville MD.

Wisdom Circle - Courageous Inquiry
2020-01-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Third Haven Friends Meeting, 405 South Washington St, Easton, MD, 21601, United States
Wisdom Circles
Our ancestors gathered in circles around the fire to tell stories,
solve problems, seek the common good and celebrate the joys of life.

The Practice of Courageous Inquiry
6 Tuesdays 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
January 21 – February 25, 2020
Third Haven Friends Meeting
405 South Washington St., Easton MD 2160

“Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves
as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Live the questions now.
Perhaps then, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

In this Wisdom Circle we will practice courageous inquiry, a process for using questions to live with purpose and courage. At each gathering we will choose a question to consider through quiet reflection, prayer and group discussion. Questions will focus on an aspect of spirituality, such as “Who is God for me?” and “How is Spirit calling me to engage with life?” We will use poetry, scripture and other inspirational material to guide us in examination of the questions chosen each week.
In between each session we will practice courageous inquiry with contemplative and journaling exercises that deepen the conversations begun together each week. Participants will leave the Wisdom Circle experience with a way to form questions big enough to live in and practices that enhance the ability to listen for answers.
$75.00 per person – Pre-registration is required. Please register by Tuesday, January 14.
Online: http://bit.ly/wisdomcirc2 Email: info@retreathousehillsboro.org
Mail: The Retreat House, P. O. Box 3, Hillsboro MD 21641 – please indicate “Easton”

Linda Mastro, a Roman Catholic lay woman, lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Linda is a skilled retreat leader, spiritual director, life coach, and writer. She is co-author of the book Petite Retreats: Renewing Body, Mind, and Spirit without Leaving Home.

Wisdom Circles: The Sounds of Silence
2020-01-21 10:00 - 11:30
Wisdom Circles
Our ancestors gathered in circles around the fire to tell stories,
solve problems, seek the common good and celebrate the joys of life.

The Sounds of Silence: An Exploration in Contemplative Prayer
6 Tuesdays 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
January 21 – February 25, 2020
Private home in Centreville

In this wisdom circle we will explore the many ways to pray silently and deeply. Each week we will experience and practice forms of contemplative prayer such as praying with the body, the written word, centering prayer, music, and nature.
This circle is for you if you find your prayer life is superficial, if you need a quiet break from a hectic schedule or if you want to experience silent prayer in a group setting. Those new to these practices are welcome, as well as those experienced in contemplative prayer. The wisdom circle is not specifically Christian-all who seek a deeper spiritual life are invited to attend.
$75.00 per person – Pre-registration is required. Please register by Tuesday, January 14.
Online: http://bit.ly/wisdomcirc2 Email: info@retreathousehillsboro.org
Mail: The Retreat House, P. O. Box 3, Hillsboro MD 21641 – please indicate “Centreville”

Julia Morris-Myers loves discovering the sacred in everyday life. She is a musician, teacher and spiritual director on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she lives with her husband and assorted pets. Julia is the Director of Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville and has
certificates in leading groups and in spiritual direction from the Shalem Institute in Washington, DC, and Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville MD.

Wisdom Circles: Cultivating Peace in Small Community
2020-01-23 18:30 - 20:00 | St. Anne’s Church Parish Hall, 199 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Wisdom Circles
Our ancestors gathered in circles around the fire to tell stories,
solve problems, seek the common good and celebrate the joys of life.

Cultivating Peace in Small Community
5 Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
January 23 – February 20, 2020
St. Anne’s Church Parish Hall
199 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis MD 21401

“The measure of our compassion lies not in our service of those on the margins
but only in our willingness to see ourselves in kinship with them.”
~Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, Los Angeles

In our world, it can be hard to find the space and time to connect and reflect with others. In this weekly gathering, we will explore the age-old spiritual practice of small-group discussion about the cultivation of peace and kinship in the world. We call it a ‘wisdom circle’ because it’s only together that we can discover our greatest wisdom, expand our awareness and embrace the needs of our world and community around us.
Each week, we will read and reflect on spiritual writings including: Watchman Nee, Proverbs, Thich Naht Hahn, Gordon Cosby, Jesus, Julian of Norwich, various poets, and David Steindl-Rast and take away a daily gratitude practice to explore in the week to come. We will share a bowl of soup at the start of our gathering.
$75.00 per person – Pre-registration is required. Please register by Thursday, January 16.
Online: http://bit.ly/wisdomcirc2 Email: info@retreathousehillsboro.org
Mail: The Retreat House, P. O. Box 3, Hillsboro MD 21641 – please indicate “Annapolis”

Heather Strang is a graduate of the Shalem Institute, a spiritual retreat leader and an active companion in the prayer ministries of St. Anne’s Church. As a professional chef, Heather merges her love for teaching with her life-long love of cooking in her private culinary classes taught for both children and adults. She lives with her husband in Annapolis, Maryland.
