Course Description: The Center for Lifelong Learning invites you to this Monday-Friday retreat as part of the Certificate in Spiritual Formation. For centuries, monasteries and convents have functioned as havens for silent prayer, and the monks and nuns who live in such places have welcomed people of all denominations - and indeed, of all faiths,- into their silent homes to join in prayer, meditation and contemplation. While a seminary is not the same thing as a monastery, our intention for this week is to foster the spirit of monastic prayer and silence even in our shared time together at Columbia.
This will be an opportunity for us to pray together, be silent together, and reflect together on the centuries-old tradition of praying with scripture, with the imagination, and even with the silence that rests deep within us. The key word here is “rest” — our time together will move at a gentle rhythm designed to foster attentiveness, openness to the Spirit, and a sense of community. We will pray on our own as individuals, and together with the other participants in this retreat, foster a daily rhythm of prayer similar to the way nuns and monks around the world pray: gathering several times each day to open our hearts and minds to the loving presence of God.
This ecumenical retreat is open to both men and women. No prior experience at a convent or monastery, or with contemplative prayer, is required. As we are nurtured spiritually by our shared prayer and the peaceful beauty of the seminary grounds, we will seek God’s still small voice so that we may “be still and know” God’s loving presence in a supportive communal setting.
Location: Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
With: Carl McColman and Debra Weir
Schedule: The retreat will begin at 5:30 pm ET on Monday, May 2 and conclude Friday, May 6 at 12 noon ET.
Program Fee: $400, includes meals Monday dinner- Thursday breakfast
Housing and Meals: Housing is available on campus at the Harrington Center for the following rates. Queen suite with a private bathroom, $97.20 a night ($388.80 for 4), single occupancy, two twin beds and a private bathroom, $86.40 a night ($345.60 for 4) and double occupancy, two twin beds and a shared bathroom, $55.62 night ($222.48 fr 4)
Advance Preparation: Readings are listed in the confirmation email. Participants are invited to read these reflectively and to write a few paragraphs reflecting on each assigned book.
