Programs

Advent 2011 - A New Ancient Harmony
December 4-8, 2011 (Sunday-Thursday)

From AwakeningSoul: A New Ancient Harmony
with John Philip Newell and Judy Brown

Sanctuary... Sustenance... Inspiration

Three days and four nights of teaching and reflection...

The Ancient Harmony. There is a tune resonating in the center of all matter. The tune is the sound coming from the beginning of time....vibrating through everything that has being. It is an organizing, directing and sustaining song at the heart of all living things. It is at the heart of you and me. If this song is at the heart's core, all living things are not only related; they all are formed with God in the center. How does this universal song lead us to a new understanding of Incarnation? for us as individuals? and for the world?

The Broken Harmony. We have moved so far away from paying attention to what is good inside us that we have lost the melody. We are more than out of tune. We are encountering a slow, discordant starvation combined with a loss of focus on what is important. Disconnection from the tune is a brokenness within us and between us. How do we discover, name, and confess the depths of our brokenness on the pathway to wholeness?

The New Ancient Harmony. Harmony means two or more voices singing the song together. The tune is already within. It has always been there. When we add our voice, there is a new harmony with the addition of our voice. The New Ancient Harmony is an invitation to participate in a song deep within. The message becomes an experience of God. When you join in the song, you become a part of the song that is at the heart's core. Choosing to join is choosing to be different, to be transformed. How will we connect to the New Ancient Harmony? What will be the cost, both personal and collective, for real transformation?

Official website for AwakeningSoul: A New Ancient Harmony.

Online Registration
(create a username and password; Advent 2011 is located under "2011 Adult/Family Non-Summer")

Print a Registration Form

The Rhythm of Our Time Together

Each morning John Philip Newell will teach us. He will draw on ancient Christian tradition especially through the lens of Celtic spirituality. He will lead us in simple chants and will direct us in meditative practices.

Each evening Judy Brown will help us reflect on the mornings teachings and help us understand how the lessons can lead us to live and act in new ways. She will facilitate personal reflection as well as community dialogue. Her insightful poetry will be a tool to encourage new creativity.

Throughout the retreat Fran McKendree and his fellow musicians will literally lead us to harmonize. The music will deepen the theological lessons and will resonate with the soul.

Come for -

Sanctuary.... a time and place set apart from the world where
sacred work can be done

Sustenance.... on offering of nourishment for the hungry soul

Inspiration.... wisdom teaching that challenges and calls us to
reconnect to the beauty of our deepest identity

One of the most challenging questions arising from participation in conferences evoking change and growth is "how do I integrate this new understanding, the 'opening' I'm feeling into my every day life?" Our hope and our intention is that you will go home with new tools and skills to enable that integration.

Keynoters

John Philip Newell is a poet, a scholar and a teacher. Formerly Warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland, he is currently Companion Theologian for the American Spirituality Centre of Casa del Sol in the high desert of New Mexico. He is internationally acclaimed for his work in the field of Celtic spirituality, including his best known titles Listening for the Heartbeat of God and Christ of the Celts, as well as his poetic book of prayer Sounds of the Eternal. He is a Church of Scotland minister with a passion for peace in the world and a fresh vision for harmony between the great spiritual traditions of humanity. Canadian by birth, he lives in Edinburgh with his family where he undertook his doctoral research in Celtic Christianity. Since then he has played a leading role on both sides of the Atlantic in the re-birthing of a creation spirituality for today. Visit John Philip's website.

Judy Brown is an educator, speaker, facilitator, poet and writer, whose work in organizations revolves around themes of renewal, change, learning, creativity, dialogue and the practices of inspiring leadership. Her books include A Leader’s Guide to Reflective Practice and a collection of her poetry, The Sea Accepts All Rivers. She teaches leadership at the University of Maryland and works with leadership groups from a wide range of sectors. She has a passion for ideas and practices that simultaneously connect us with the world of spirit and the world of practice. Her commitment is to helping people return “home” with new perspective and new practices for living into life’s challenges and life’s bounty. A native of a small fishing village in northern Michigan, her heritage is that of agriculture and cooperative extension, which has given her a commitment to the practical use of ideas, frameworks, rich language, reflection and even silence, as a way to transform our lives and our work. Visit Judy's website.

Musicians

Fran McKendree is an inspiring and innovative musician. At the age of 15, his parents wisely gave him a guitar for Christmas, sparing themselves hours of clarinet lessons. Playing that very guitar and reluctantly singing, he formed a trio, entered a talent contest, won first prize - a slot on a folk music radio show - and was hooked. A few years later, he formed "McKendree Spring." This innovative band went on to record 7 albums and extensively tour the US, Canada and the UK, performing at Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, The Fillmore East, and the first rock concert ever at Radio City Music Hall, eventually earning a spot in an exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In his heart a different path was beckoning him, and he emerged from a period of soul searching to follow this calling, which led him to the Episcopal church. Since 1984, he has been traveling the country; doing concerts, mentoring young people, designing and coordinating conferences, and as a consultant, worship music leader and keynote speaker. Fran has released ten recordings of his own, and produced numerous other artists at his studio in Hendersonville, NC; where he now lives with his wife, Diana. Fran and colleague Ann Holtz have recently founded "AwakeningSoul" and he is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Ann and Brian to present “A New Ancient Harmony." Visit Fran's website.

River Guerguerian has been inspiring audiences with his ecstatic and versatile percussion for over 25 years. Whether playing with world-class symphonies or studio musicians, partnering with Grammy-award winning composers, or creating dynamic plays of rhythm for his own projects, River's passion and attention to the vibrant life of the drum reverberates throughout the crowd. He has performed in concert halls in Tokyo, Moscow, Rome, Berlin, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, London, including such renowned venues as Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, and Lincoln Center. Drawing on his diverse background, River plays all genres of music pulling original sound from Frame Drums, Middle Eastern and Afro- Cuban percussion, Drumset, Marimba, Tabla, Kanjira, Cajon, Gongs, Singing Bowls, Loopers, and various found objects. Visit River's website.

Charles Milling is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music. He has performed live for over 20 years, sharing the stage (and altar) with countless A-list musicians from every style and genre of music imaginable. On tour with his band, Charles plays large Episcopal youth gatherings, diocesan events, retreats and parish functions. At home in Southeast Florida, Charles works in parish ministry, directing and performing with his professional church band, high school band, middle school band, college grad band and secular band. Lindsey Blount is an American folk and jazz vocalist born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her Musical experience before attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston consisted of playing jazz and folk with Palm Beach artists and bands in varying settings. After finishing her BA at Berklee in 2009, she traveled to South Germany where she is currently playing and traveling with the Boy Meets Girl Duo and the Lindsey Tyler Blount Quartet in Germany, France, and Switzerland.

Chaplain

Brian Prior is the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. Before beingcalled to Minnesota, Brian served as the founding rector of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Spokane, WA., vice president of the House of Deputies and youth ministry coordinator for Province VIII. Brian is a self described camp kid who became a camp director at the age of 20 beginning a life long passion for retreat ministry. A chance meeting at the first EYE (Episcopal Youth Event) in the early 80’s began a long partnership with Fran in providing a holy space for individuals and communities to move more deeply in to the presence of God. Brian and his wife Staci have two high school aged sons.

Event Coordinator

Ann Holtz is an independent consultant working with groups and individuals as they deal with issues of transition. Ann spent 16 years with ALCOA and then worked for 5 years for the Episcopal Church Foundation as the national coordinator for Fresh Start. She has extensive experience in leading retreats, developing and implementing training programs, and facilitating intact work groups, teams and congregations. Ann has an under graduate degree in Chemical Engineering, a masters degree in Applied Behavioral Science and is a certified spiritual director.

Cost per Person

Tier 1 costs include four nights superior lodging, the program and eleven meals
Tier 2 costs include four nights basic lodging, the program and eleven meals
Commuter costs include the program and eleven meals

Tier 1 lodging is full - Currently there are no single rooms available on-site at Lutheridge.
Please feel free to contact Suzanne if you wish to be added to a waiting list.

Tier 2 includes all other Lutheridge Housing (Thornburg Hall and Cottages).

Ask us about scholarship/partnership opportunities and child care.
Lock in your rate if you register by the date listed.
At least a deposit of $100 per participant is required at time of registration.
Final payments are due three weeks prior to arrival or space is released and deposit is forfeited.
Cancellation Policy: If you cancel at least four weeks prior to arrival, you may request a full refund minus the deposit ($100). If you cancel with less than four weeks, but more than 72 hours notice, you may request 50% of the full fee minus the deposit.

Online Registration          Print a Registration Form

Event Schedule
Sunday, December 4 through Thursday, December 8

Sunday

• Registration 4-6 pm
• Dinner and evening program

Monday – Wednesday

• Morning prayer
• Morning lecture
• Afternoon mix of siesta time, workshops, and creative time
• Evening prayer
• Evening lecture and facilitated conversation

Thursday

• Morning Prayer
• Breakfast
• Leave for home

For more information about the conference, email Ann Holtz or call 865-414-8509.

For information about Lutheridge Conference Center, lodging, and registration, email Suzanne Delap or call 828-684-2361.