Soul Quest: Key Questions of the Spiritual Life

Lake Junaluska, N.C.

April 1, 2013 to April 3, 2013

Overview›‹

This retreat session has been canceled. Another gathering is being planned for Fall 2013, and we hope you will join us then.


This annual gathering, which alternates between a "day apart" and a multi-day retreat, is an opportunity to celebrate the connection of clergy in the Western North Carolina Conference.

In keeping with our theme—Soul Quest: Key Questions of the Spiritual Life—we will focus on three key questions for deepening our lives with God:

  • What do I want? 
  • What does God want with me?
  • With whom will I journey? 

Each of the first three plenary sessions will explore one of these questions. The session will lead into an hour of silence, with specific suggestions for prayer, scriptural reflection and journaling, followed by a time of sharing. In the final plenary session, we will unite these themes with a panel discussion on spiritual direction.

Bishop Larry Goodpaster and the WNCC Cabinet and Board of Ordained Ministry hope that through this time together, clergy will remember their call, share in fellowship with each other, and be inspired.

Agenda›‹
Monday, April 1
1:00 p.m.Registration
2:00Welcome
2:30Worship
3:30Break
4:00Plenary I: What Do I Want? / Paying Attention to Self
5:00Silence for Individual Prayer / Reflection / Journaling
6:15Dinner (with sharing time)
7:30Evening Prayer
8:00Evening Free for Conversation, Rest, Prayer


Tuesday, April 2
7:30 a.m.Morning Prayer
8:00Breakfast
9:00Plenary II: What Does God Want with Me? / Paying Attention to God
10:00Silence for Individual Prayer / Reflection / Journaling
11:00Sharing Out of Silence
11:30Noon Prayer
12:00-3:30 p.m.Lunch and Free Time
3:30Plenary III: With Whom Will I Journey? / Paying Attention with Others
4:30Silence for Individual Prayer, Reflection, Journaling
5:30Sharing Out of Silence
6:15Dinner
7:30Evening Prayer
8:00Evening Entertainment and Free Time


Wednesday, April 3
7:30 a.m.Morning Prayer
8:00Breakfast
9:00Plenary IV: The Questions Come Together: Introduction to and Panel Discussion on the Practice of Spiritual Direction
10:15Break
10:30Time with the Bishop
11:30Closing Worship
12:30 p.m.Lunch and Depart
Retreat Leader›‹

Roger Owens
Co-Pastor, Duke Memorial United Methodist Church
Durham, N.C.

L. Roger Owens and his wife, Ginger Thomas, have served as co-pastors of Duke Memorial United Methodist Church since 2008. Roger holds a Ph.D. in theology from Duke University, where he also received his M.Div. Prior to Duke Memorial, he served a church in rural North Carolina for three years. He has taught and lectured in the areas of practical theology, leadership, and spirituality. He serves on the faculty of The Upper Room’s Academy for Spiritual Formation, an ecumenical two-year spiritual formation program for clergy and laity. He is the author of The Shape of Participation: A Theology of Church Practices (Cascade Press, 2010), which was called “this decade’s best work in ecclesiology” by The Christian Century. He is also co-editor of Wendell Berry and Religion: Heaven’s Earthly Life (University Press of Kentucky, 2009). His writing has appeared in several publications including The Christian Century, Currents in Theology and Mission, and The Journal of Religious Ethics. His most recent book is Abba, Give Me a Word: The Path of Spiritual Direction (Paraclete Press, 2012).  Roger and Ginger are the parents of Simeon, Silas, and Mary Clare.

Cost and Accommodations›‹

Registration includes all meals, retreat materials, and participation in plenary sessions.  Two continuing education units (CEUs) will be awarded for attending the full event.

Early Bird
(on or before February 8)		Regular
Registration Fee$40$65

Accommodations

Lodging will be in the Terrace Hotel. You will have the opportunity to reserve a private room ($150) or a shared room ($75) as part of your registration. 

Questions›‹

The WNCC Clergy Retreat is coordinated by:

Should you have additional questions about this event, please contact our office at 919.613.5323 or events@div.duke.edu.