Following the Spiral: Exploring Celtic Christian Heritage: An Advent Retreat, December 15-17, 2017
By Robert Bowler | Stone Church Center
The ancient Celts prized deep connections with nature and the divine wisdom hidden within. Due to current upheavals in our earth’s climate as well as in human society, a deep yearning for a different way seems to be emerging in many of us, which may find resonance in the wisdom of our Celtic Christian ancestors.
At Stone Church Center, we will explore what distinguishes Celtic Christian spirituality. We will read selected writings from early Celtic Christians. We will study prayers from the Carmina Gadelica, a collection of early Celtic prayers from the Hebrides. We will sing early Gaelic chants. We will hear stories of the Celtic saints. Through the beauty of prayer, chant, Celtic harp music, song, story, and time spent walking and praying in nature, we will seek to deepen our awareness of Christ’s presence, within ourselves and in all that surrounds us.
Costs: Commuter, $350; Shared Room, $410; and Single Room, $470. Save $50 on Early Bird Tuition up to one week in advance.
James Ruff, Retreat Leader, is a professional singer and harper specializing in music for voice and harp from Gaelic Scotland and Ireland. A speaker of Scottish Gaelic and a member of the Episcopal Church since 2000, he has also been involved with the Ceile De (Culdee) Order – a Celtic Christian monastic order centered in Scotland – since 2005. He has sung as soloist with many early music groups, opera companies and festivals throughout the US and in Europe, teaches Music: Voice at Vassar College, and was Director of Music at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Stone Ridge, NY from 2004-2015.
Stone Church Center is located at 12 & 14 Church St., Bellows Falls, Vermont. Register online at www.stonechurcharts.org or by phone at (802) 460-0110.