photograph by Cherie Westmoreland
Returning to Silence:
That Which Holds Everything
Sunday, September 19 - Friday, September 24, 2021
with Cherie Westmoreland and Margie Savigny
Rivendell Retreat Centre, Bowen Island, BC
“Nothing on earth resembles God so much as Silence.” - Meister Eckhart
Come into the Silence that is always here. Bring your heart, body and spirit to the nourishing and welcoming space of Rivendell Retreat Center on Bowen Island. Immerse yourself in the natural world surrounding you there.
This five-day silent retreat will be spacious and supportive. The rhythm of our days will hold you in your exploration of being with and in Silence. We will explore spiritual practices and teachings. We will share experiences of prayer and meditation. There will be spiritual accompaniment throughout the retreat.
The fall season is a beautiful time of year to pause, create space for the Holy/ the Mystery, rest, and explore the container of Silence.
We will begin at 4:00 pm on Sunday with introductions. At 5:00 pm we will gather in the sanctuary. Dinner is at 6:00 pm. The community will enter Silence at 7:00 pm.
The Rhythm of Our Days:
morning gathering of embodied prayer
centering prayer (silent practice)
breakfast
community gathers
lunch
spiritual accompaniment sessions
outdoor exploration in silence
sacred hour
dinner
evening session
Departure is Friday, September 24 before 12 noon.
Accommodation and Meals
We encourage everyone to have their own room with bathroom. Meals include a simple breakfast of fruit, cold cereal, muffins. Soup and salad for lunch. Simple vegetarian meals for dinner. Attendees will help with minor preparation and clean-up after meals.
Cost
The cost of $400.00 includes meals, group gatherings, spiritual companioning, and supply fee. Accommodation is an additional cost paid directly to Rivendell.
Register by emailing Margie Savigny:
Cherie Westmoreland
is an artist with a particular focus on contemplative photography and writing. She has explored and experienced a variety of faith traditions and finds the natural world to be her most potent teacher of heart and spirit. She has completed the Pacific Jubilee SoulGuiding and SoulMentoring streams, and brings a quiet and grounded presence to her practice of spiritual accompaniment.
Margie Savigny
has been a spiritual companion for the past ten years. In private practice or in group facilitation, Spirit is always invited to what is unfolding. The work is to create intentional time and sacred space for what is longing for our attention to appear and be nurtured. Margie has always had a thirst to enliven her spiritual life through learning in the company of others. Through the Pacific Jubilee SoulGuiding and SoulMentoring programs, courses at the Vancouver School of Theology and the Living School (Centre for Living Action and Contemplation), Margie continues to nourish her contemplative life.