Thresholds of Hope

Name: Thresholds of Hope
Start: 2023-10-20
End: 2023-10-22
Location: Montreat Conference Center

A Spiritual Practice Retreat with John Philip Newell and Cami Twilling

October 20–22, 2023 Adult

Sponsored by Earth & Soul in cooperation with Montreat Conference Center

Registration is now closed.

Join us for an experiential weekend based on the teachings of John Philip Newell in which we explore the thresholds we are in the midst of today – as a world, as nations and religious traditions, and as individuals. Mornings will begin with prayer followed by in-depth times of spiritual practice led by Cami Twilling. Saturday evening we will share in a fireside chat with John Philip where you will have the opportunity to ask anything about his teachings or his own journey.

How do we sustain ourselves in times of change and be strengthened to live more compassionately in the world? This retreat is an invitation to move deeper, paying attention to the wisdom we carry within as well as listening to the wisdom Earth holds for us. Small group reflection and sacred listening will be an integral part of our time together.

May our time together lead to a deeper awareness of Earth and the human soul and how we are being called to reawaken so that we may live and act with compassion.

The main focus will be on experiencing the House Gatherings model plus an extended time of conversation with John Philip. We especially recommend this weekend for those who are part of a house gathering group or wanting to start a house gathering group.

Space is limited to 30.

Leadership

John Philip Newell

John Philip Newell is a Celtic teacher and author of spirituality who calls the modern world to reawaken to the sacredness of Earth and every human being.

Newell speaks of himself as ‘a wandering teacher’ following the ancient path of many lone teachers before him in the Celtic world, seeking the wellbeing of the world. He has been described as having ‘the heart of a Celtic bard and the mind of a Celtic scholar’, combining in his teachings the poetic and the intellectual, the head as well as the heart, and spiritual awareness as well as political and ecological concern.

His PhD is from the University of Edinburgh and he has authored over fifteen books. His latest award-winning publication, Sacred Earth Sacred Soul, was the 2022 Gold Winner of the Nautilus Book Award for Spirituality and Religious Thought of the West. In 2022 he received the Sacred Universe Award from the Well Center for Spirituality in Chicago in recognition of his significant work in furthering humanity's relationship with the sacredness of Earth.

For more information see earthandsoul.org

Rates & Registration

Comprehensive Rate

Comprehensive rates below include the program fee, room in Reynolds Lodge or Hickory Lodge (Friday and Saturday nights), meals in the Galax Dining Room (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast), plus a $2 community service fee per adult for public services provided by the Town of Montreat and the fire district.

Room check-in AFTER 3:00 pm on Friday. Room check-out BEFORE 11:00 am on Sunday.

Reynolds and Hickory Lodge*
Single Occupancy	$551.00/person
Double Occupancy	$496.00/person

*Please note that Hickory is not ADA compliant.

**These lodges feature communal bathrooms with toilets and showers. Each lodge possesses a common space for meetings and gatherings.

***Housing for this retreat is a five minute walk from the Galax Dining Room in Assembly Inn where meals will be served. The walk will involve going up and down a hill. There is limited parking for individuals with mobility needs at the Assembly Inn and participants are encouraged to carpool.

Refund Policy

Cancellations must be received by September 8 in order to receive a full refund less a $40 service charge. Cancellations received after September 8, but on or before October 6 will receive a 50% refund of the conference fee and payments made toward room and meal charges (if applicable) less $40. No refunds will be issued after October 6. All requests must be in writing and received via email, fax, or U.S. mail.

Questions?

If you have questions regarding registration, please contact the conference registrar, Sarah Akin, at 828.419.9813 or saraha@montreat.org.

Retreat Schedule

*asterisk indicates entering meeting space in silence.

Friday, October 20
3:00-4:30 pm	Registration/Check In - Assembly Inn
5:30-6:30 pm	Dinner - Galax Dining Room (Assembly Inn)
*6:45 pm	Evening Prayer (enter in silence)
*7:30 pm	Session 1: Welcome & Introduction (enter in silence)
9:00 pm	Sacred Silence
Saturday, October 21
7:30-8:30 am	Breakfast - Galax Dining Room (Assembly Inn)
*8:30 am	Morning Prayer (enter in silence)
9:00 am	Break
*9:15 am	Session 2 (enter in silence)
11:30 am	Break
12:00-1:00 pm	Lunch - Galax Dining Room (Assembly Inn)
1:30 pm	Siesta/Reading/Walking/Labyrinth/Journaling (intentional time of quiet and reflection)
4:00 pm	Session 3
5:00 pm	Break
5:30-6:30 pm	Dinner - Galax Dining Room (Assembly Inn)
7:00 pm	Fireside Chat with John Philip followed by reception and book signing
Sunday, October 22
7:30-8:30 am	Breakfast - Galax Dining Room (Assembly Inn)
*8:30 am	Morning Prayer (enter in silence)
9:00-9:30 am	Break/Room Check-Out (if necessary)
*9:30 am	Session 4 (enter in silence)
10:30 am	Break
*11:00 am	Session 5 (enter in silence)
12:00 pm	Departure