Oasis - Men4Directions

Share with a Friend - download a one-page flyer about the M4D program
download a brochure with application (.pdf)

~ Men4Directions ~

An OASIS Ministry to Men

Men4Directions is a year-long program of Oasis Ministries intended to help men grow in faith, self-awareness, and spiritual wholeness. The program includes small group community, quarterly retreats, and solo-time in the wilderness to engage with Spirit and soul. M4D provides one-on-one spiritual direction, small group support and accountability, and solitude in natural settings.

Why Men?
We can all use help finding our way from time to time—men are no different. Men need the support of one another to be honest and real about life. Through small group discussions, monthly consultation with a "spiritual brother", and contemplative practice, men are encouraged to know themselves, listen to the still small voice within, and to honor their souls. The result could change lives and lead to a whole new world.

Why Direction? We can all use help finding our way from time to time. Men are no different. Men need the support of one another to be honest and real about life. Through small group discussions, monthly consultation with a "spiritual brother", and contemplative practice, men are encouraged to know themselves, listen to the still small voice within, and to honor their souls.
The result just might be changed lives and a new world.

Why 4 Directions? The directions refer to east, south, west, and north— compass points along our journeys. It’s not a linear approach, but a circular path that honors the rhythms of life. The cycle of the day, too, is acknowledged: morning, noon, evening, and night; four seasons of each day, a life-time in the making.
Here, then, is what we offer:

A Year To Grow—4 Seasonal Gatherings, A Commitment to basic practices in-between, and a wilderness Vision Quest.

4 Seasonal Gatherings

¨ Gathering 1 Looking SOUTH at vitality, the heat of the day, imagination

¨ Gathering 2 Looking WEST at our shadows, the dark side of our lives, mystery, soul

¨ Gathering 3 Looking NORTH at wisdom, maturity, a season of death

¨ Gathering 4 Looking EAST toward new beginnings, the advent of life, the rising of the sun, birth and rebirth—a contemporary version of a vision quest will accompany this final gathering—a 24-hour fast and solo experience in the wilderness.

4 Commitments that Make it Happen

Covenant - a promise among brothers to study, pray, share, and grow together for one year.

Community -quarterly retreats in the woods to listen, discuss, and discern with others (in between times will be bolstered by one-on-one elder mentoring and peer support)

Contemplation – a commitment to the regular practice of silence and solitude (nature)

Compassion—serving others in some way on a regular basis between the meetings

Interested?

View bibliography (.pdf)

Express your interest in participating in M4D by contacting betsykeller@oasismin.org; 717-737-8222

Download a brochure with application (.pdf)

Share with a Friend - download a one-page flyer about the M4D program

View Seasonal Readings Visually

Location:
Krislund Camp & Conference Center (www.krislund.org)

89 Krislund Drive
PO Box 116
Madisonburg, PA 16852
814-422-8878

On 1902 acres of scenic mountain valley land, Krislund is located 7 miles south of exit #173 on Interstate 80 and 21 miles east of State College.

Meetings will be held at Krislund's newly remodeled Upper Lodge.

Retreat Dates:
July 17-18, 2010 (2pm Saturday - 11am Sunday)
October 22-23, 2010 (6pm Friday - 3pm Saturday)
February 18-19, 2011 (6pm Friday - 3pm Saturday)
May 13-16, 2011 (6pm Friday - 11am Monday)

Leadership:

Joel Blunk, Associate Pastor at State College Presbyterian Church (State College, PA) and graduate of Oasis Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides program.

Questions? contact Joel Blunk
(814) 238-2422, State College, PA
onejtb@gmail.com

TUITION PER YEAR: $750

Plus Application fee of $100 (non-refundable after program begins) sent with registration form.

If application fee received by April 30:
discount $50 from application fee

If application fee received after June 15:
add $50 to application fee

The balance of tuition may be paid in full at any time, or may be paid in five equal installments of $150 in July, September, November, January, and March. (Some scholarship assistance available. Call to inquire.)

Participants are asked to pay for and attend all sessions. Payments by MasterCard, Visa and Discover are welcome.

If withdrawing your application from the program, the Application fee less $50 is refundable if withdrawing prior to July 1, 2010.

To register, send the following information along with payment to

Betsy Keller (betsykeller@oasismin.org)
Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development
419 Deerfield Road
Camp Hill, PA 17011

Name_____________________________________________

Home Phone (___) _____________ Work Phone (___) _____________

EMAIL:____________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________ CITY/TOWN __________________________ STATE __________ ZIP __________

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION ____________________________________

I HAVE A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR (His/Her NAME) _______________________________
[] DESIRE A SUGGESTION FOR A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

Enclose APPLICATION FEE ($100)
(check payable to “Oasis Ministries” OR VISA / MC/DISCOVER also welcomed)

VISA/MC/DISCOVER # _________________________________________
EXP. DATE ___/___ 3-digit SEC. CODE (on back of card) _______

Please attach a short statement (approximately one page, single-spaced) answering:

1. What prompts your interest in this program?
2. What specifically do you hope to gain from the program?
3. What readings and personal experiences have influenced your understanding of spiritual guidance?
4. Include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of one, or more, persons whom you’ve asked to be supportive of you throughout this process.
Please ask each supporter, as a “reference,” to write and send to the Oasis office a brief statement sharing how he/she thinks this program is right for you. (You may give them a copy of this brochure.)

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