Come meet the man who told me all about myself !

145 Spadina Road    Toronto Ontario M5R 2T1    
tel 416.928.9570      fax 416.921.7464    

COME MEET THE WOMEN AT THE WELL
A Retreat / Interactive Workshop for the Professional
July 13^th to July 18^th 2008

Maryholme Retreat Centre
Lake Simcoe, Roaches Point, Ontario, Canada

PROFESSIONALS especially Teachers, Parents, School Chaplains, Parish Ministers (lay) and others interested in exploring PROFESSION as a life of Ministry.

DRAWING WATER FROM THE WELL
In the narrative of 'THE WOMAN AT THE WELL' WE MEET Jesus as a public HEALER, a Man who is also God.

He who is God offers us away to become truly ourselves. Through a compassionate relationship he draws the woman he meets at the well to give Him a drink of water and to become a resource of faith beyond her own poverty of relationship. We as Professionals are also challenged to go beyond our difficulties and make the life we live, a life of faith in ministry. This creative interactive retreat reflects the spirit encouraged by 'Parker Palmer' in his book, 'The Courage To Teach'. By living steady rhythmic lives of connection with a faith structure we move beyond ourselves to become HEALERS in public life. A faith filled Professional reflects the WELL SPRING OF ETERNAL LIFE. Others like the Samaritans will say, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and we know... HE is the Saviour of the world.'

A combination of different modalities: Scripture, group actives, dream interpretation, psychodrama, a gentle therapeutic approach. Participants are expected to share their own narrative. Creative input, suggestions of Hope, Self Confidence, Self Awareness and Self Esteem, relaxation, helping us to renew and explore our deeper selves and our profession.

An invitation to the professional
to explore life as ministry

An exciting invitation to men and women to immerse themselves into the living Waters of their professional life. We too can meet the 'MAN' who told the woman 'all about herself'. A reflective and interactive five-day live-in encounter for teachers, parents, chaplains, Pastors, lay parish ministers, nurses, social workers, doctors, lawyers, counselors and for any dedicated Christian who requires a drink of living water from the well to refresh themselves.

The powerful energy of a meeting between Jesus and the woman at the well propels all of us into the domain of the spiritual reality of ministry and of transformation. In today's world it is important for us to make a concrete connection with the self and with the "I AM" of God. When Moses asked God, "Who should I say sent me?" God replied, "Go Tell Them 'I Am' has sent me to you." God has sent everyone of us into the world to do His will and to build up the KINGDOM. The "I Am" of God exists within the self of everyone and in all that we do. It is here that the woman at the well and Jesus meet. When Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for a drink He was seeking to draw her back into the deep connection of the "I Am", a call to ministry. The woman, like the rest of us did not understand this at first. Jesus explains, "The water I shall give will turn into a living spring inside you, welling up to eternal life. Anyone who drinks the water I shall give will NEVER BE THIRSTY AGAIN!" The Samaritan woman was so revived, so inspired that she runs of to the town and proclaims, "COME MEET THE MAN WHO HAS TOLD ME ALL ABOUT MYSELF."

MAKING A PROFESSIONAL LIFE, 'A MINISTRY', is a courageous act of fully embracing our individual and collective "I Am" in our lives. Come drink the living and water and explore the "I Am" in your profession.

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Maryholme Retreat Centre The Centre is located on the beautiful shores of Lake Simcoe, a one-hour drive from Toronto. There is a quiet environment, nature trails, bird and small wild life habitat, a labyrinth in the woods. Ideal for meditation, reflection and relaxation. The process incorporates different modalities such as scripture themes, meditation, proprioceptive writing, dream interpretation, a gentle group process that is kind and insightful and healing, as well as simple exercises to relax and revive the body. Comfortable (shared) accommodations and great home cooked meals. [click on each photo of Maryholme Centre to view full size]

Friday 04 July 2008
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