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KIRKRIDGE’S MINISTRY OF TRAVEL
Travel is a spiritual act and the sacred is everywhere just waiting to be discovered. Whether travel is a sacred long-distance pilgrimage to a foreign land or a quick trip to the local farmer’s market, it can open us to an unfolding of Spirit. Conscious awareness and motivation transform travel from the mundane to the profound. Pilgrimage, as a special type of travel, can be done singularly or with companions, as well as for countless generations. Risking exposure to travel to distant places among diverse faiths and our own faith can bring us closer to the bonds of mutuality that transcend language, culture and custom. Increasingly, and with new urgency, we acknowledge these bonds and affirm people worldwide.
Kirkridge is committed to Spirit-led travel that complements our mission of peace and social justice worldwide. We know that you can travel in many ways to many places. A Kirkridge pilgrimage is designed to :
· Connect you people worldwide
· Explore the natural beauty of the Earth
· Encourage interfaith dialogue
· Bear witness to efforts worldwide toward peace
and social justice
· Respect and support efforts of communities
worldwide toward peace and social justice
· Promote healing within and of the Earth
· Explore contemplative practices of prayer,
meditation, and worship, among others
· Partner with like-minded organizations to
enhance the pilgrimage experience
· Support a diversity of pilgrimages offerings,
such as youth, women, service work, etc.
We hope that you will consider traveling with
Kirkridge to one or more of our pilgrimage journeys.
Register on line at www.kirkridge.org or call 610-588-1793.
BELIZE ~ FEBRUARY 18-25, 2009
Designed for women who want time apart from their busy lives, this retreat is restorative to body, mind, heart and spirit. This fully integrated week in the sunny warmth of Belize has three main components:
Time for individual quiet and reflection; two individual spiritual direction sessions with Anne; daily group reflections with a variety of prayer and meditative experiences; daily morning body prayer, overlooking the Caribbean sunrise.
Day-trips to introduce participants to significant highlights of Belize – include:
• City tour, Museum, & swim
• Island trip and snorkelling
• Rainforest excursion or Visit to 4H orphanage project
Woman’s Wisdom: The Heart of Matter Our physical body matters! When we accept our body as good-enough and natural, it can be a powerful source of inner guidance and wisdom. This two-day workshop with Belizean women is designed for personal healing and transformation. Feel more at home in your own skin. Negative attitudes towards our bodies and sexuality, influenced by cultural and religious traditions, will be addressed and released through a gentle safe process which includes movement, guided mediation and story-telling. Knowing from within that your body is as sacred and miraculous as any other part of creation will encourage you to bring to birth your unique wisdom and gifts. As we heal ourselves, we heal our world.
Comfort Details
We will stay at Our Lady of Guadalupe Spiritual Life Centre, St Catherine Convent, in Belize City. Participants will have a private room with sink and door that opens on to a large shared balcony overlooking the Caribbean. The retreat house is very clean and comfortable, but modest. While meals are included, there is a full kitchen for our use. The property also houses a private girls schools established by the Sisters of Mercy. No swimming at this location.
Where is Belize? Belize is in Central America, bounded on the north by Mexico, south and west by Guatemala. The Caribbean Sea washes its 174 mile coastline to the east. Archaeologists estimate that at their peak, 1 to 2 million Mayans lived within modern Belize. Large mahogany forests attracted the interest of European explorers in the 17th century, and early settlement led to Belize being formally declared the Crown Colony, British Honduras, in 1840. The results of the intermingling of settlers and natives, the mestizo (metis) group known today as Creole, make up the majority of the population of Belize. Settlement from the territories bordering Belize, Mexico and Guatemala, has introduced Spanish language and culture. The common language in Belize is English with most speaking some Spanish.
Cost
Workshop fee, due upon registration:
before Nov. 30, 2008 - $425.00 US
after Nov. 30 2008 –$500.00 US
$100 non-refundable, remainder non-refundable after January 15, 2009
Belize Costs: $890. US
Includes room and meals,
All day trips and ground transportation
payable on arrival in Belize by money order or travellers cheques.
Air fare: will be booked by participant after confirmation of registration. (Likely will not exceed $900)
Anne Simmonds,
Adjunct Faculty at Emmanuel Theological College, Victoria University, Toronto, Canada, is an ordained United Church of Canada Minister who offers workshops, guided retreats, spiritual direction and pastoral counselling. Anne is a gifted facilitator and teacher who draws on her extensive experience in congregational ministry, hospital chaplaincy and nursing. Anne was Director of Chaplaincy at the former Wellesley Hospital, and Minister of Pastoral Care at Rosedale United, Toronto. Anne has been facilitating workshops in Belize since 1998.
What Participants Have Said:
“… a transformative experience, nourishing spiritually and emotionally.”
“… most helpful process, with warmth and wisdom.”
“… a wonderful experience, insightful, loving and comforting.” Vickie Cousins
“I came back feeling revitalized with a deeper sense of peace, and an experience of healing that has allowed me to have a greater sense of God’s presence in my life.”
Mary Lee Laing
For further information or questions: email:
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www.annesimmonds.ca
Registration
Name:_______________________
Address:_____________________
_____________________________
Phone: H______________W____________
email:_________________________
Please indicate why you are interested in this retreat/workshop:
______________________________
______________________________
Do you have any health problems or dietary restrictions?
______________________________
______________________________
To register, please complete this form and mail it with your workshop fee, made payable to:
Kirkridge, 2495 Fox Gap Road, Bangor, PA 18013
5th Annual BELIZE WOMAN’S Retreat and Workshop WITH ANNE SIMMONDS, D MIN
February 18 – 25, 2009
Join seven other women in this cross-cultural spiritually enlivening experience.
TAIZE ~ JUNE 18-JULY 1, 2009
This pilgrimage is designed for young adults, 18-29 years of age, primarily to experience a full week in the ecumenical community of Taize, France. Itinerary includes two nights in Cluny (site of the 12th century Abbey which grew to become the largest in Europe); seven days living with young adults from all over the world who are sharing in the music, fellowship, and simple life of the community of Taize; and three days/nights of personal time in Paris (a side-trip by train to Chartres will be arranged for one of these days). This pilgrimage is being co-sponsored by Kirkridge and Five Oaks retreat centres.
ISRAEL-PALESTINE ~ OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 6, 2009
This interfaith pilgrimage to the Holy Land provides a unique opportunity for listening, building relationships, promoting dialogue, and learning more about the real life situation and politics of this area of conflict so it can be translated to others back home. It is a concrete way to meet and support ‘ordinary’ Israelis and Palestinians working for peace and justice in the midst of conflict. Participants travel to Jerusalem and Bethlehem and throughout Israel and the West Bank with local guides, visit religious and cultural sites and stay 1-3 days in a local home. For two days they join the Palestinian Olive Harvest, when Israelis, international volunteers and farmers work together in solidarity. KIRKRIDGE is working with the experienced staff of Interfaith Peacebuilders, www.ifpbdel.org Cost is $2,150 plus international airfare from/to Washington, DC Deposit: $500. Single Rooms additional.
For a PDF version of the application form, please click here.
For a Microsoft Word version of the application form, please click here.
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Pilgrimages 
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