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“Winter clears the landscape…giving us a chance to see ourselves and each other more clearly, to see the very ground of our being.”
~ Parker J. Palmer
One of the gifts of winter in these climes is the way the world around us slows and stills. For many creatures winter is a time of hibernation or migration; seeds cast in the abundance of autumn lie dormant, waiting for spring. It is an inside time for curling up by the fire, a time of deep replenishment and reflection – often hard to come by amidst the hectic pace of our days and the relentless attention to the communities, causes, and people we care about.
“Wintering Through: Explore Your Life’s Calling in the New Year” is an opportunity to experience the winter gifts of stillness and rest, of renewed clarity and mindful presence. Grounded in the truths of your own stories and questions, and guided by the Circles of Trust® model based on the work of author and educator Parker J. Palmer, this Courage and Renewal® Retreat invites you to step with intention into a place apart, to pause from the frenetic pace of your regular days, and to explore in fresh ways the Big Questions of your lives – questions of identity, meaning, purpose, and calling.
We will gather from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Prairie Oaks Institute near Belle Plaine, Minnesota, whose mission is to be a catalyst for the rejuvenation of people and the planet. The retreat will be facilitated by Dr. Chris Johnson, a Circles of Trust® facilitator and founder of The Milkweed Group (www.milkweedgroup.com), and will feature a chance to learn from the quiet beauty of POI’s winter landscapes, led by Dr. Cindy Johnson, professor of biology & environmental studies at Gustavus Adolphus College.
We are able to make this unique and life-giving opportunity available at a substantially reduced sliding-scale cost of only $85 – $135, including materials and lunch. Optional overnight lodging and breakfast are available for an additional $45/person. Space is limited to 16 participants, so please register early (by January 25, at the latest).
We look forward to having you with us!