photograph by Cherie Westmoreland
Returning to Silence:
That Which Holds Everything
Thursday, September 14 - Thursday, September 21, 2023
With Cherie Westmoreland and Margie Savigny
Rivendell Lodge, Bowen Island, BC
“[Silence] is around us and within us. It goes to the deepest depths of the soul into the outermost reaches of the cosmos and continually unites the two at the centering place of a heart … when our ordinary perception combines with Silence, we perceive everything in its holiness. We perceive that the world and others have a liturgical quality." – Robert Sardello
Come into the Silence that is always here. Bring your heart, mind, body, and spirit to the nourishing and welcoming contemplative space of the Rivendell Retreat Centre on Bowen Island. The fall season is a beautiful time of year to pause, to create space for rest, inquiry, listening, and opening to the movement of Spirit.
In the natural beauty of this island retreat, we will explore spiritual practices, share experiences of contemplative time in the natural world – while in Silence – but also within a supportive community.
We begin at 4:00 pm on Thursday, September 14 with introductions. At 5:00 pm we gather in the sanctuary for Rivendell’s Sacred Hour. Dinner is at 6:00 pm. The community enters into Silence after the evening session.
The Rhythm of Our Days
morning gathering – Embodied Prayer
Rivendell Centering Prayer – silent practice
breakfast
morning community gathering
lunch
rest
outdoor exploration in Silence
Rivendell Sacred Hour
dinner
evening session
We depart at noon on Thursday, September 21
Accommodation and Meals
We encourage everyone to have their own room, rather than share, so you can immerse yourself fully in the gifts of Silence. There are queen bedrooms and rooms with twin beds. Rivendell has two wheelchair accessible rooms.
Please bring groceries to prepare your own breakfast. Coffee and tea will be provided. Soup and salad will be provided for lunch. Simple and nutritious evening meals will be catered. Retreatants will help with minor preparation and clean-up after meals.
Cost
$500 includes lunch and dinner, group gatherings, individual spiritual direction if requested, and supply fee. The fee will be collected when you arrive.
Accommodation for the seven days is an additional cost that can be offered to Rivendell directly at the time of your arrival. Rivendell notes that any donation above $100 per night will receive an income tax receipt.
Questions? Please call Margie at 604-761-2243 or Cherie at 604-947-9629
This retreat is fully booked
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 programs, and brings a quiet and grounded presence to her practice of spiritual accompaniment.
Margie Savigny
has been a spiritual companion since 2011. 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.