Autumn 2024 Silent Retreat
Friday, October 25 – Saturday, November 2, 2024
with Murray Groom, Nan Goodship, Natalie Maxson, and Philip Newman
Naramata Centre, Naramata, BC
“Be still and know that I am God” – Psalm 46:10
This is a time to rest, discern, pray, prepare; an opportunity to be alone in community, to be in nature and to deepen your spiritual journey – all in an atmosphere of prayer-filled silence. This is an intentional silence that helps us encounter that still, quiet, healing place within, where there can be openness to the movement of Spirit.
Most days begin with an (optional) hour of spiritual practice time. Each day, retreatants meet one-on-one with their spiritual director. Each evening concludes with vespers – a contemplative practice to deepen the spiritual life.
Between scheduled sessions, each retreatant practices deep discernment about how their day will be spent. We practice a sabbath time of stepping away from our usual busyness, compulsivity, and productivity in order to see clearly, hear deeply, and reconnect with the true self, the Holy, and nature. We seek a different pace.
Rhythm of our days
October 25 | 3:00 pm arrival, 4:00 pm orientation/welcome, 7:30 pm entry into silence
October 26-November 1 | early morning spiritual practice
October 26-31 | 7:30 pm vespers
November 1 | closing circle
November 2 | departure by 10:00 am
Retreat cost of $2,379.00 includes private accommodation in Orchard Courts ($720), lunches and dinner meals ($565), individual daily spiritual direction, site use, and all community gatherings ($1,094 program fees). Participants are asked to bring their own breakfast foods.
If you would like to inquire about a bursary, please email programadmpjp@gmail.com with the subject line Autumn Silent Retreat Bursary.
This event is offered through the partnership of Pacific Jubilee and Naramata Centre
Murray Groom
is a spiritual director from the Pacific Jubilee Program. As a retreat leader, Murray holds a long interest in Celtic spirituality and the spiritual pilgrimage. He is a past program mentor of SoulGuiding and current member of the Pacific Jubilee Wisdom Circle. He is an ordered minister in the United Church of Canada. Read about Murray’s spiritual direction practice here.
Nan Goodship
is an artist, retreat leader and spiritual director who trained in the Pacific Jubilee Program in 2006. She has an abiding love for contemplative, spiritual, and artistic practices that nurture the creative, growing edge in each of us.
Natalie (Nan) Maxson
says, “I am a parent, an activist, a creative and contemplative. I have spent most of my professional life working on social justice advocacy and building community with all ages. I come from a Christian background and tend towards the works of the mystics. I completed the Pacific Jubilee SoulGuiding program in 2022.” Read about Natalie’s spiritual direction practice here.
Philip Newman
completed the Pacific Jubilee SoulGuiding program in 2022. Silence and nature nurture his heart and soul. Philip loves combining those through camping and kayaking. He is an enthusiastic grandpa and is an ordered minister in the United Church of Canada. Read about Philip’s spiritual direction practice here.