The % figures in Workshop Descriptions indicate the relative percentage of presentation, discussion, and experiential activity.
Friday Evening Optional Activities:
One and a Half Hours (choose one and one alternative)
FE1. Soul Shapes: Knowing Body, Earth and Universe as Home
At this critical time of life on the planet, we find ourselves healing body, mind, and spirit separations that alienate us from our own true natures and the very life systems of earth that sustain us. In this workshop, through gentle body movement, sound, silence and reflection, we shall explore the "shapes", rhythms, textures, and dynamics of our human journeying. Awareness of the soul movements in us and directees will increase. Thus, spiritual direction is shown to be a radical ministry for the increase of compassion in beholding the story of "other" in both human form and in all creation.
Alexandra Caverly-Lowery, M.Div, MTh, is a liturgical dance artist, therapist and spiritual director whose ongoing work is in the area of "Theology, the Body, and Healing" from a Deep Ecology perspective. She lives in
FE2. The Integration of Nurturing Touch with Spiritual Direction
You will be introduced to touch as the most basic means of communication. Every cell of our body has a memory. This workshop is designed to introduce nurturing touch to spiritual directors so that you may become aware of the healing arising from the release of both suppressed and repressed emotions concealed in the body.
Peggy Dawson, CMT, CHTP, is licensed as a Diocesan Lay Minister, and authorized by the Anglican Bishop of
FE3. Body Prayer
Body Prayer is a deeply healing and restorative contemplative practice for spiritual directors who would like to experience an embodied form of spiritual discernment and prayer through the practice of yoga and meditation. Gentle yoga stretching, flowing postures and breathing awareness are introduced as a path for relaxation and also as ways to open the heart and body to a healing encounter with the transforming Spirit of Christ within.
Ingrid Hauss is a certified Yoga Teacher who has taught yoga and Body Prayer at academic and church-conferences, universities and retreats to ministers, spiritual directors and youth in
FE4. CANCELLED
Creating Space for God: The Youth Ministry and Spirituality ProjectFE5. Experiencing Tibetan Singing Bowls
Tibetan singing bowls, with their lingering and penetrating sounds, will offer us an invitation to experience the open and accepting vibration of the Cosmos. Recognizing that creation was called into being by the Word and Vibration, we will listen to the circle of sounds emanating from a collection of bowls of various sizes and characteristics as they are struck or rubbed. The use of bowls on the body and their value as a delicate, internal massage will be demonstrated. History and background information will be included, as well as a period of silence, personal reflection, paired sharing, and group discussion related to the use of bowls in prayer and spiritual direction.
Ann Kulp, DMin, is a member of the Associate Staff of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. She leads workshops, quiet days and retreats, is a spiritual director, and the author of Spirit Windows: A Handbook of Spiritual Growth Resources for Leaders.
FE6. The Tree of Life Pointing the Way Home: Guidance from the Teachings of Kabbala
"And the tree of life is in the middle of the garden." (Genesis 2:9) The Story of the Torah and the practices of Judaism are at core about the inevitability, the necessity and the process of each of us, personally and collectively returning to a state of harmony and well being. You will be introduced to Kabbalistic Jewish teachings and texts that offer spiritual direction to the soul in its journey home to a state of harmony and well-being. These teachings will also address the obstacles and blocks and discuss ways of opening the gates. This workshop will include lecture, discussion and the breath and body meditation practice called Ophanim. It is a recently emerged "Kabbalistic Yoga" whose goal is to help the spirit reconnect to the cosmos.
Rabbi Itzchak Marmorstein, MSW, is the author of Mila Yomit: The Torah, Word By Word. He teaches Kabbala, Ophanim a recently emerged Kabbalistic Yoga, and the teachings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook in a variety of Jewish and non Jewish settings worldwide.
FE7. Manspeak: Sharing Sacred Stories of Male Spirituality
Come to a facilitated environment where men can speak freely, listen compassionately and honor each others words. There is a growing hunger in men's spirituality, a thirst for a deeper understanding of what it means to be male and spiritual. Is this a rare combination? What are the spiritual elements that lay hidden in the man's soul, waiting to be recognized, honored and valued? What do men do about unfulfillment, purpose and identity? An exchange and stimulating conversation will help discover deeper paths to the soul.
Jim Neppl is a Corporate Spiritual Consultant who partners with businesses and organizations to develop healthy work cultures and environments through engaging others in corporate spirituality. He is a spiritual director, executive mentor, retreat facilitator, mediator, and public speaker from
FE8. Adventures of the God Detectives: Spiritual Discernment for Children
Come to hear stories, to sing songs, to remember and share your childhood experiences with the Holy, and explore issues around accompanying children on their spiritual journey. Nancy Reeves will tell stories and Linnea Good will teach discernment songs for children. Both will present material on accompanying children in their spirituality.
Nancy Reeves, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, spiritual director, author, poet, and international speaker recognized in the areas of grief and loss, and spiritual discernment. She is an adjunct faculty member at
FE9. Coming Home to Our Sacred Female Bodies
Our bodies are as sacred and miraculous as any part of creation. However, many women feel a sense of shame related to their bodies and sexuality. Within religious traditions women have received messages perpetuating the idea that a woman's body and her sexuality are dangerous if not downright sinful. Today's culture also perpetuates negative attitudes towards the body. These messages affect our self-understanding and personal spirituality. This workshop will create a safe environment so that participants feel comfortable exploring their questions, sharing stories, and experiencing embodied prayer and healing ritual.
Rev. Dr. Anne Simmonds is a United Church Minister, spiritual director, and workshop facilitator in
FE10. Coming Home to the Songs of the Cosmos
Chant leads us home to the Divine within us and the Cosmos. In this "chantshop" you'll discover ways to use the "music of the spheres" for personal and community transformation. You will learn a selection of simple, lyrical chants drawn from a wide range of faith traditions, including Buddhist, Baha'i, Christian, Hindu, Indigenous peoples, Jewish, and Moslem. Many people feel that they are not singers. But chant is not singing, it is a prayerful expression of love and devotion accessible to all. Come discover this therapeutic tool for assisting people in their spiritual journeying.
Nancy Watters, MA, is a Baha'i and founding director of Sacred World Song, a project that activates human nobility through multi-faith "chantshops."