Prayer: A Practice of Re-Membering
Learn new ways of being RE-membered to the Divine Mystery and hone your own prayer practice at this special prayer retreat led by Spirit’s faith mentor, Jim Hanson, and friends. Register for Prayer Retreat here.
RETREAT OVERVIEW
These past two years have been a time of dis-connect, dis-memberment, unlike many of us can remember in our lifetimes. So how does one re-connect, re-member oneself in a world that seems to be falling apart and breaking into factions and tribes? Jim Hanson suggests that prayer is one way to re-connect, RE-member oneself to God, to self, to others and to creation.
This Desert Sojourn Retreat at Spirit in the Desert will focus on a variety of ways to be RE-membered through the practice of prayer. It will be more practical than theoretical. Two of Jim’s own Faith Mentors will join him: Dr. Tonja Snyder from Salem, OR, and Ms. Elaine Averitt from Flagstaff, AZ. Writes Jim, “These two have expanded my understanding of prayer, and ways of praying. Ways that involve one’s mind, body and spirit. Ways that engage one in creation, music, and movement. Just like there are a variety of learning styles, I believe there are a variety of praying styles. One size does not fit all.”
If you are interested in learning new ways of praying, new ways of being RE-membered to the Divine Mystery and all of creation, or, if you are interested in discovering or honing your own individual prayer practice, this retreat is for you.
Prayer as Creation - Creation as Prayer
Session led by Elaine Averitt. How experiencing the natural world combined with the practice of passage meditation enhances the process of re-connecting myself to all of creation.
Select verses from the Bible as well as passages from non-Christian traditions that celebrate creation will be used to re-member ourselves to nature.
We will travel to a nearby natural area with time to slow down, cultivate one-pointed attention, and celebrate God’s presence in all things.
Prayer as Movement - Movement as Prayer
Session led by Dr. Tonja Snyder. How the martial arts, Tai chi and Qigong deepened my “spiritual well” and broadened my prayer practice. Prayer can be a whole-body experience, and was, initially for our ancestors and indigenous people around the world, but prayer has become a left-brain activity in our culture with the hope of touching a “spiritual” cord.
In this session we will explore:
“Prayer as Movement” and how it changes us physically, mentally and spiritually.
“Movement as Prayer” and how mindful meditative movement practices can deepen our prayer experience and re-member our whole person to the sacred.
Rev. “Bro. Jim” Hanson
Dr. Tonja Snyder
Elaine Averitt
RETREAT FACILITATORS
Jim “Bro. Jim” Hanson currently serves as the faith mentor at Spirit in the Desert. One of the many ways Jim shares his gifts with Spirit is by hosting Spirit’s weekly contemplative service, Wednesday Respite. His popular Touchpoints are available online as text, PDF or recording on Soundcloud.
Elaine Averitt is a botanist specializing in desert plants, a retired city planner, and a local treasure. Elaine is often called upon by retreatants at Spirit in the Desert to lead contemplative walks through the desert, teaching history and botany along the way.
Among many accomplishments in her storied career, Tonja Snyder, PhD has a Masters in Counseling, a doctorate in Learning and Instruction, and holds a 1st degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo Tum Pai, a soft style kung fu that emphasizes internal energy development.
COSTS | WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Price per person (fees vary based on the type of accommodation chosen):
One person, private room : $565 per person
Two people, two in a room : $465 per person
Three people, three in a room : $400 per person
Commuter, meals w/o room : $285 per person
Price includes: Four days of programming, three nights lodging and 9 meals (3 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 3 dinners).
Guests may arrange with Spirit in the Desert to arrive early and depart late for an extra fee.