Facilitators - Becky Hannah, Joan Ricci

Worship Leader – Rev. Rick Lawler

Due to the length of this retreat each participant should have an established practice of Centering Prayer for at least a year.

This retreat is designed for those who would like a more prolonged experience of centering prayer and who are interested in entering into the more profound levels of spiritual practice in an atmosphere of silence, solitude and community.

Centering prayer is a silent form of prayer that directs a person’s attention toward God. It is a prayer form with ancient roots in the mystical and monastic tradition of the Christian faith. The retreat is intended to help persons develop and sustain a regular centering prayer practice.

Nine 20- minute periods of Centering Prayer will be offered daily. Retreat participants will also have opportunities for contemplative worship, individual meetings with retreat leaders, walks and hiking around the Conference Center grounds, access to two labyrinths, as well as time for solitude and reflection.

This retreat will be limited to the first 20 registrants and there will be no commuters.

The retreat leaders are Becky Hannah, (828-667-2799), Coordinator of Contemplative Outreach of Western North Carolina, Joan Ricci, presenter of contemplative prayer retreats at the Oratory and St. Francis Prayer Springs, and the Rev. Rick Lawler, Rector of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock, NC. Joan and Becky have both been trained to present centering prayer by Contemplative Outreach, the organization founded by Father Thomas Keating as a spiritual network committed to living the contemplative dimension of the gospel in everyday life. Please fell free to call Becky if you have any questions about this retreat.

For more information, please visit:  www.highsouth.com/vallecrucis