Leading Contemplative Gatherings

Sponsored by Spiritual Direction Colorado (SDCO)

Denver, Colorado

in partnership with Central Presbyterian Church, Denver

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Any who desire to integrate contemplative practices in group and retreat leadership and in personal life: lay leaders, pastors, youth ministers, educators, students, and those in specialized ministries.

How can we create a safe environment for seasoned believers and youthful seekers to recount their sacred stories and find direction? If you feel called to lead spiritual retreats or short-term groups, this experience will provide skills for creating a contemplative ethos in limited time and for mining participant’s gifts. As we model this meditative atmosphere, you will experience ways to build community, balance presentations with silence and conversation, and to incorporate prayer with music, movement, films, and art. Designing an event prepares leader’s own heart and mind; out of this awareness of gifts and vulnerabilities the leader prepares the event.

Leader: Dr. Kent Ira Groff, founding mentor of Oasis Ministries (Pa.) and a graduate of Shalem Institute, is as a retreat leader, spiritual companion, and writer poet in Denver, Colorado. An ordained Presbyterian minister, he has been conducting contemplative retreats and groups at conference centers, seminaries, and campuses in the U.S. and abroad for two decades. Kent’s writings include Active Spirituality, The Soul of Tomorrow’s Church, What Would I Believe If I Didn’t Believe Anything? and Writing Tides. He describes his work as “one beggar showing other beggars where to find bread.” Kent is a parish associate at Central Presbyterian Church, Denver.

Groff Photo

DATES Opening Retreat October 17-18, 2008 - 3p.m.-9p.m. Friday (supper); 9a.m.-4p.m. (lunch) Saturday. Closing Retreat April 24-25, 2009 - 3p.m.-9p.m. Friday (supper); 9a.m.-4p.m. (lunch) Saturday.	DESIGN AND PROCESS: Between an opening retreat in October and a closing retreat in April each participant (or teams of two) will prepare and lead a 1-2 ½ day retreat or a 4-6 week group back home incorporating contemplative prayer practices. The October retreat will form Peer Groups of 4-5 (each with a trained facilitator) who will connect with each other between October and April by e-mail, phone, online or face-to-face to support each other and give feedback in planning and leading each participant’s event.

	LOCATION: University Park United Methodist Church, 2180 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO (across from D.U. and Iliff School of Theology). (The program will be offered in Pennsylvania in 2009-10.) LODGING: A local hotel will offer conference rates for those not commuting
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COST: $435 (Add $50 after August 15). Your application fee of $135 ($185 after August 15) must be received by September 15 and cannot be refunded after this date. A second payment of $150 is due October 1; the balance of $150 is due November 1, 2008. Registration Deadline: September 15, 2008 click here to contact Kent Ira Groff at LCG@spiritualdirectioncolorado.org	APPLICATION: Early application due date is August 15; final due date September 15. Each applicant is asked to write a statement about why this program seems right at this time, and also to list two persons who will be supportive of this process of spiritual growth; each is asked to write a “reference” letter. The program is limited to 24 participants. For more information, including additional leaders, format, preparation and outcomes, click on button below (PDF write-up, includes application form)
For more information, please contact us at: oasismin@oasismin.org Phone: 717-737-8222

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