Retreats and Events
2010 Retreats
The Way of Discernment (6/25/10 - 6/27/10)
Leading from Within (5/10/10 - 5/12/10)
Buddhist and Christian Meditation (7/25/10 - 7/30/10)
Advent by the Sea (12/3/10 - 12/5/10)
The Way of Discernment: Spiritual Practices for Decision Making
For centuries, Christians and others have been practicing "Discernment of Spirits," while making decisions, large or small, in their lives. At midsummer, when the LIGHT is most present, we will have an introduction to the Practice of Discernment appropriate for our times. Bring your current decision issues, and learn many ways of holding those questions, working toward decisions about them. There will be many times of meditation and silence in this retreat, time for reflection, and time for sharing.
This retreat will be held at Villa Maria del Mar, a retreat center overlooking Monterey Bay, with beach access down a flight of outdoor stairs. The retreat staff provides delicious food and a deeply contemplative atmosphere. Each room has its own bath.
DATES: Friday, June 25, 2010, beginning at 5 pm, through lunch, Sunday, June 27, 2010.
LOCATION: Villa Maria del Mar, in Santa Cruz, CA. Nearest airport is San Jose, CA (SJC).
COST: Single Occupancy, $310/Double Occupancy, $260. Cost includes food, lodging, and registration for the weekend. PCSF offers partial scholarships.
LEADER: Carol Saysette
If you have questions or you want to request a scholarship, please contact Carol at 415-383-2260 or by email.
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Leading from Within: A Circle of Trust Retreat for Clergy & Leaders in Spiritual Communities
Those of us engaged in organizational leadership, teaching, community service, and social change know the challenge of sustaining ourselves and our commitment to deeply held values and beliefs. The more passionate we are about our work, the more vital it is that we take time to renew our own spirits. This introductory Circle of Trust retreat is designed to provide an opportunity for personal and professional renewal, time away from the routines and demands of daily life and sometimes unrelenting needs of the communities we serve, in order to nourish one's spirit and spiritual grounding.
The Circle of Trust approach is based on the work of Parker Palmer, well-known Quaker and author on education and spiritual formation. More information on the foundations for this retreat work can be found at the website for the Center for Courage and Renewal.
DATES: May 10-12, 2010, beginning on Monday at 2 pm, and ending with lunch at 12:30 on Wednesday.
LOCATION: Villa Maria del Mar in Santa Cruz, CA. Nearest airport is San Jose, CA (SJC). This retreat center overlooks the waves of Monterey Bay, with beach access down a flight of outdoor stairs, and contemplative gardens. The retreat staff provides delicious food and a deeply contemplative atmosphere. Each room has its own bathroom.
COST: Retreat cost is $475 and includes program fee, single room, and all meals for the three days. For more information and to register for this retreat, you may download the retreat flier from this Events Calendar, or from this website, or contact Susan Murphy.
LEADERS: Susan Murphy, DNSc, professor emeritus at SJSU, is a spiritual director, a Quaker, and a member of Thich Nhat Hanh's Order of Interbeing. She is an experienced facilitator of formation retreats and contemplative spiritual practice groups.
Karen L. Erlichman, LCSW, is a social worker and spiritual director in private practice in San Francisco. Formerly the director of the Interfaith Outreach Program at the Jewish Family and children's Services in San Francisco, Karen currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Bay Area Coalition of Welcoming Congregations.
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Buddhist and Christian Meditation: Living and Breathing on a Common Path
Our five-day meditation retreat offers participants an opportunity to experience and integrate Buddhist and Christian contemplative practices, through brief instruction, extended periods of silent practice, and ample time for unstructured quiet and solitude. This retreat provides a unique experience of silence in community.
The complementary practices of two great spiritual traditions weave an experience of spiritual deepening and opening; a rich encounter with what is real, authentic, and nurturing. This retreat is ideal for those who wish to go deeper into the stillness, to receive some instruction in a variety of meditation and contemplative practices across traditions, and to experience directly the benefits of meditation and prayer away from the interruptions of everyday life.
DATES: Sunday, July 25, 2010 beginning at 5 pm, through lunch Friday, July 30, 2010
LOCATION: Wellspring Renewal Center, Philo, CA, Mendocino County (www.wellspringrenewal.org). Nestled on a hill adjoining the redwoods of Hendy Woods State Park, Wellspring is a place of natural beauty, graced with sunny meadows and the flowing Navarro River. Wellspring is known for its imaginative and delicious vegetarian cooking and the organic garden from which much of its food comes. This spacious and welcoming natural setting is an ideal holy space for this retreat.
Note: The staff at Wellspring can accommodate wheat and dairy free diets. Participants with other special dietary needs should contact Wellspring staff before registering to be sure their needs can be met.
COST: $690-$390 based on housing preference. The cost includes food, lodging, and tuition for 5 days.
| Housing Preference | Single occupancy | Double occupancy | |
| Improved Cabin | $690.00 | $595.00 | |
| Rustic Cabin | $640.00 | $525.00 | |
| Tent Cabin | $415.00 | ||
| Camping (own equipment; no RV's) | $390.00 |
LEADERS: Susan Murphy and Rod Dugliss.
For more info contact:
Susan Murphy at (650) 969-3452 or susan@pacificcentersf.org
Rod Dugliss at (415) 441-4104 or rod@pacificcentersf.org
Register for this retreat by downloading & printing this form, filling in the registration information, and sending it with your check to the address provided.
Advent by the Sea: Waiting the Coming of the Light
This Advent Silent Retreat will be held in Santa Cruz at Villa Maria Del Mar. In this peaceful setting, with the sound of the waves as our background, we will practice waiting the coming of the Light, and how we are being led as the old year ends and the new year approaches. As was offered last year, some optional teaching will be available about Discernment (Christian decision making).
The retreat center is on a bluff overlooking the ocean, with beach access down a flight of outdoor stairs. The retreat staff provides delicious food and a deeply contemplative atmosphere. Each room has its own bath.
DATES: Friday, December 3, 2010, beginning at 5 pm, through lunch, Sunday, December 5, 2010.
LOCATION: Villa Maria del Mar, 2-1918 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Nearest Airport: (SJC) San Jose CA
COST: Single occupancy: $310 / Double occupancy: $260. Cost includes food, lodging, and registration for the weekend. PCSF offers partial scholarships.
Space is limited. Please register early.
LEADER: Carol Saysette
If you have questions or wish to request a scholarship, contact Carol directly by sending an email message with a phone number where she can reach you.