Sarah Donnelly B.A., M.Div. Retreats - Workshops - Grief Support Groups - Spiritual Direction - Funerals

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Waiting in Joyful Hope for the Coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ: An Advent Retreat Advent is a season which invites us to wait. But how do we wait, and what do we wait for? This reflective retreat will give you the time and space you need to enjoy Advent and spiritually prepare for the upcoming Christmas season. This is an engaging retreat, inviting participants to spend some time reflecting on three Advent themes and invitations: waiting, joy and hope. This retreat is flexible - it can be offered as an evening or half day event. This retreat includes presentations on three themes, some time for silent reflection, and small group discussions. Handouts with prepared questions for reflection are provided. First Reflection: Waiting Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in time of trouble? Psalm 10:1 How do we wait, what value lies in waiting and what attitudes are we invited to embrace in order to live in "full waiting"? Second Reflection: Joy When your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby in my womb leapt for joy...My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. Luke 1:44, 47 How joy differs from happiness or optimism; the unique gift of joy in our lives. Third Reflection: Hope May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 Hope is an active virtue, requiring our participation. Hope works for what it believes in. How are we being invited to be people of hope?  Resource used in developing this retreat: Bread for the Journey. Henri Nouwen. HarperSanFrancisco. 1997 Finding My Way Home Henri Nouwen. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company. 2001 The Prophet Kahlil Gibran. A. Knopf. 1923 The Stature of Waiting. W.H. Vanstone. New York: Seabury, 1983 I most appreciated the handouts with questions and quotes, small group discussions, music and worship. The pacing of the retreat was well done. Lorena Mowers, St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Victoria BC I appreciated Sarah’s way of presenting the material. Thanks for offering this retreat. I went away at 1 pm today with a lighter heart and a decidedly better focus on what the Christmas season means to me. Advent and the waiting all drawn together in your presentation certainly made me happy I put myself first this morning. Dianne Marks, St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Victoria BC I most appreciated the opportunity to be quiet! I also appreciated the opportunity to share thoughts and reflections in a way that worked for myself and my friend. Thank you! Julia Menard, St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Victoria BC I most appreciated the message on hope – a wonderful deepening fellowship experience. Eloise Gladders, St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Victoria BC The quality of the presentation was excellent – well planned, prayerful, gently-led with depth. Many thanks! I’d come again! Esther Jedynak, St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Victoria BC