Oasis 2010-2011 Program Guide

Where contemplation meets community

2010-2011 Program Guide

… ahhh …… ahhh …… ahhh …… ahhh …

OasisOasisOasisOasis

What’s Inside…

A Word from Our Executive Director 4

Wilderness Wandering—Canoe Trip 5

YEAR-LONG PROGRAMS

Men4Directions –NEW! 6

Contemplative Living: The Spirituality of Daily Life 7

Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides 8-9

Deepening Year for Direction Ministries 10-11 DAY-LONG RETREATS Spirituality for the Second Half of Life 12

Gerald May Retreat Day 13

RTW: “Eckhart meets Eckhart” 14

Managing Stress and Letting Go into Hope 15

An Author Day with Nancy Bieber 16

Awakening through Dreams 17

In the Deep Mid-Winter 18

The Spiritual Art of Discernment 19

Group Spiritual Direction 20

Living Poetically (with Kent Groff) 21

Poetry as Prayer: Denise levertov 22

Thomas Merton Retreat Day 23

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Partnering with Oasis 24

A Community of Support 25

Calendar 26

CELEBRATING

OVER 20 YEARS

OF

DRAWING FROM THE WELL OF CHRIST

CONTEMPLATIVELY

ACTIVELY

"My spiritual journey

has been deepened

by this program. As I

face mid-life it has

given me the

opportunity to

develop a part of me

that I always knew

was there - but never

gave myself the

freedom to explore."

~ Catherine Campanaro

Contemplative Living

++

New Program

for Men!

Transformational Year – Long Programs

Contemplative Living

A year-long program designed to assist the participants in integrating contemplation as a way of life. No Prerequisites. Meets monthly October - May Brochure available. See p. 7 for more information.

Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides

A two-year training program in contemplative prayer and spiritual guidance. During the two years, participants experience and learn to practice the disciplines of contemplative prayer and the art of spiritual direction. Meets monthly September - May Brochure available. See pp. 8-9 for more information.

Deepening Year for Direction Ministries

A year-long program in continuing education for practicing spiritual directors who desire to deepen their discernment and enhance their spiritual direction skills.

Prerequisite: SDSG or similar program Meets monthly September - May Brochure available. See pp. 10-11 for more information.

Men4Directions A year-long program of Oasis Ministries intended to help men grow in faith, self-awareness, and spiritual wholeness.

Four seasonal retreats—First retreat in July! Brochure available. See p. 6 for more information.

In its 20th Year!

MM44DD

From the Executive Director

From Where I Sit: Ponderings from Rev. Cindy Garis

Technology and the demands placed on us to multi-task seem to pull us away from our center. I recently heard of the Wisdom 2.0 conference, the purpose of which was to explore “how we can live mindfully amidst fast-paced streams of information and technologies that are becoming the daily reality for many people.” (Preview some of their key points at www.oasismin.blogspot.com) When we talk about living mindfully, I cannot help to think of what Oasis brings to the table. Two definitions for the word 'oasis' are:

1. a small fertile or green area in a desert region, usually having a spring or well.

2. something serving as a refuge, relief, or pleasant change from what is usual, annoying, difficult, etc.

Additionally, I understand an oasis to be something that is truly present, it’s not a mirage, in a place where it is not supposed to be.

This is Oasis, with a capital ‘O’! Oasis offers * shade from the heat - when you require respite, here is contemplative community along with silent, sacred space. * springs of water, refreshment for thirsting souls - through our trainings, our gatherings, our resourcing, new-life is given to your spirit's parched places * transformational transitions - an oasis is not a destination, it is a stopping point for renewal - here in the practices of presence and mindfulness you come to a greater awareness of the profound inward journey that invites/calls/woos you to reach out in compassion and service in Love. I know that you will find offerings in the 2010-2011 year that will be an Oasis for you. PS. I would like to hear how you remain mindful in this technological age. Please email me at [email protected]

“Oasis has given me an

opportunity to quench the

thirst I have had all my life.

I now feel like I have the

tools to feed my soul.

I feel alive.”

~ Pam Root-Baechle

If you receive our nearly-weekly e-newsletter, then I hope you have caught a glimpse of my passion for Oasis. (if you do not receive the e-news, you can sign up on our website and see archives of previous mailings.)

Led by Vicki Kensinger, along with Dennis and Marti Shaak

The Canoe Days

Imagine the flow of your day looking something like

this:

• rising naturally with the sun

• centering prayer and breakfast

• paddling and/or hiking several hours on day trip (paddling partner is also prayer partner)

• lunch on the lake - contemplative reading and prayer

• additional quiet paddling time and/or personal retreat time for journaling/swimming

• dinner prep/dinner/cleanup

• campfire prayer and share--what is stirring, reflections, what touched you, etc

• close day in silence

Expect the presence of the Holy to surround and permeate your days within a

pristine landscape that will still and quiet your soul.

Learn more at www.oasismin.org/CanoeTrip.html

Download a brochure on-line or request one by calling

717-737-8222 or emailing [email protected]

There will be moments of

wonder and delight,

of reverence and remembrance,

as we meander our way through

nature,

which weaves its way

through both inner and outer

landscapes,

and through times of

community and solitude.

Wilderness Wanderings and

Meditative Meanderings

Canoeing Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada

Space is limited to seven participants!

September 12-18, 2010

Registration deadline extended: July 1, 2010

~ Men4Directions ~

A year-long program, consisting of four seasonal retreats, intended to help men grow

in faith, self-awareness, and spiritual wholeness.

♦ Small group community

♦ Quarterly retreats

♦ Solitude in nature

♦ One-on-one spiritual direction

♦ Readings and reflections

♦ A contemporary vision quest

Why Men?

We can all use help finding our way from time to time—men are no different. Men

need the support of one another to be honest and real about life. Through small

group discussions, monthly consultation with a "spiritual brother", and

contemplative practice, men are encouraged to know themselves, listen to the still

small voice within, and to honor their souls. The result could change lives and lead to

a whole new world.

Retreat Dates: July 17-18, 2010 October 22-23, 2010 February 18-19, 2011 May 13-16, 2011

Location: Krislund Camp & Conference Center (www.krislund.org) 89 Krislund Drive Madisonburg, PA 16852

Download a brochure and Learn more at www.oasismin.org/M4D.htm

A Program Uniquely Tailored for Men!

MM44DD

Leadership:

Joel Blunk, Associate Pastor at State College Presbyterian Church (State College, PA) and graduate of Oasis’Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides program.

Questions? contact Joel Blunk

(814) 238-2422, [email protected]

Contemplative Living: The Spirituality of Daily Life A Year-Long Program in Deepening Daily Life through Contemplative Practice

“In God, we live and move and have our being.” “In God, we live and move and have our being.” “In God, we live and move and have our being.” “In God, we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28

Beneath the activities and busyness of our lives is a yearning to live more deeply into this truth, to live so we truly know we have our being in God. The focus of Contemplative Living: The Spirituality of Daily Life is on the life of the participant. The goal of the program is to open more of our individual lives to contemplative awareness. Although some core prayer practices will be included, the focus will be on the experience and process of the individual in deepening his/her life in God. Session Themes Include:

• Our holy longing

• Paying attention and being mindful

• The need for spiritual practices—rhythms and rituals

• Times of darkness and fear—growing into trust

• Daily relationships (work, family, community)

• The opened heart—healing, gratitude and freedom

"Once again, Oasis has offered a stellar program

for living and experiencing the

contemplative life."

~ Melanie Reed

Dates OPENING RETREAT 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 7, 2010 through 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 8, 2010

MONTHLY SESSIONS 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Thursdays November 11, December 16, 2010 January 13, February 10, March 10, April 14, 2011 CLOSING RETREAT 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 12, 2011 through 3:00 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2011

Leadership: Nancy Bieber and Marc Oehler, along with Melissa Stock (bios available on-line at www.oasismin.org) Location: Mariawald Renewal Center 1094 Welsh Road, Reading PA 19607 www.mariawaldrenewal.com

Interested? No experience necessary… All are welcome to apply!

Download a copy of the Contemplative Living brochure on-line at www.oasismin.org or request one by calling 717-737-8222 or emailing [email protected]

Celebrating it’s 20th Year!

Spiritual Direction for

Spiritual Guides Expanding Attention and Intention

This two-year training program in spiritual direction begins with an

opening two-day retreat in October and concludes with a two-day retreat

in May, with monthly day-long sessions each month in between.

Since 1990, Oasis has been teaching people the art of spiritual direction. SDSG is especially suited to those who are seeking to deepen their practice

of prayer and learn about being a spiritual companion to others. Through

experiencing and practicing the disciplines of contemplative prayer,

participants discover the richness of community, the intimacy of small

groups, and the depth of spiritual direction.

“Our SDSG sessions have become such a part of the rhythm and nurture of my spiritual walk that I come to our closing retreat with

sadness about the summer hiatus. Arriving for just the second session, I had a

sense of homecoming. The physical and spiritual space

provided for our time together are a source of

blessing, welcome, nurture, and renewal.”

~ Melanie Taormina

• Class size is limited to 30.

• Laypersons and clergy are welcome.

• Continuing Education Credits

available per year.

• Year II is for persons with Year I or

equivalent.

• Some tuition assistance is available.

Find Us! www.oasismin.org Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development 419 Deerfield Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011 (717) 737-8222 [email protected]

“This first year of SDSG has reconnected me with my prayer life and has

allowed me to trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all that I do.”

~ Kathleen Mulvihill, SDSG Participant

Year II Dates OPENING RETREAT 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 30, 2010 through 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 1, 2010 MONTHLY SESSIONS (Thursdays) 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Nov. 4, Dec. 2, 2010 Jan. 6, Feb. 3, Mar. 3, Apr. 7, 2011 CLOSING RETREAT 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 5, 2011 through 3:00 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2011

Questions? Be in touch with Rev. Glenn Mitchell, Director of Training and Program for Oasis Ministries at [email protected]

Year I Dates OPENING RETREAT 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 28, 2010 through 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 29, 2010 MONTHLY SESSIONS (Wednesdays) 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Nov. 3, Dec. 1, 2010 Jan. 5, Feb. 2, Mar. 2, Apr. 6, 2011 CLOSING RETREAT 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 3, 2011 through 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, 2011

“My growth in faith and relationship with the Divine surpassed whatever I thought upon first entering SDSG…Out of that came the call to be a spiritual director which has brought breath, joy and

enthusiasm in my daily life and ministry.”

~ Linda Bonfiglio

Location: Kenbrook (45 minutes east of Harrisburg, PA)

190 Pine Meadow Road, Lebanon, PA 17046 www.kenbrook.org

Leadership: Glenn Mitchell, Nancy Bieber, Bonita Rose

Collins-Hobbs, Jo Ann Kunz, Melissa Stock, and Ruth Zeiders

(bios available in brochure and on-line at www.oasismin.org)

Download a copy of the Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides brochure on-line at www.oasismin.org or request one by calling 717-737-8222 or emailing [email protected]

Deepening Year for Direction Ministries (DYDM) is a year-long program in continuing education consisting of two retreats and six monthly sessions for practicing spiritual directors who desire to deepen their discernment and enhance their direction skills in a contemplative approach to the art of spiritual direction. Topics explored this year include:

• Resistance: its meaning and message

• Transference and counter-transference

• Developmental cycles in the spiritual life

• Loss and mourning: a recurring experience

• Addiction and co-dependency

• Body wisdom and non-verbal communication

• Darkness, spiritual dryness, and suffering

DATES OPENING RETREAT 3:30 p.m., Sunday, October 3, 2010 through 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 4, 2010 MONTHLY SESSIONS (Mondays) 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; November 1, December 6, 2010 January 10, February 7, March 7, April 4, 2011 CLOSING RETREAT 3:30 p.m., Sunday, May 1, 2011 through 5:00 p.m., Monday, May 2, 2011

For more details, please request a brochure…

Is this the year to deepen your direction?

Deepening Year

for Direction Ministries

Additional DYDM Program Notes:

• Class size is limited to 15.

• Continuing Education

Credits available per year.

• For graduates of Oasis’

SDSG program or another equivalent program

• Some tuition assistance

is available.

For the spiritual director

“DYDM was a tremendous blessing for me. The group was wonderful and I can't say enough of what I learned from the leaders--not only from their wisdom and experience but from their very being. They were both models of what it looks like to 'get out of the way' and allow spirit to connect with spirit. DYDM was the nourishment I needed for my own healthy growth and endurance.”

~ Cindy Thompson

Location: Kenbrook (45 minutes east of Harrisburg, PA) 190 Pine Meadow Road, Lebanon, PA 17046 www.kenbrook.org Leadership: Jo Ann Kunz, M.A., serves as a Senior Pastor at a non-denominational Christian church located in Lititz, PA. She teaches spiritual formation/spiritual direction at both Eastern University and Evangelical Theological Seminary, as well as being a certified Enneagram trainer. Jo Ann has been part of the faculty of Oasis Ministries since 2001. She serves as a retreat and workshop facilitator, maintains a private spiritual direction practice, and holds a special interest in dream work. Ruth Workman, Ed.M., M.A., is a Certified Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader, and Certified Supervisor of Spiritual Directors. She earned a Master of Education at Rutgers University and a Master of Arts in Holistic Spirituality and Spiritual Direction from Chestnut Hill College. In addition to her ministry of individual spiritual direction she offers contemplative retreats at The Sanctuary, her home in Stone Harbor, NJ, and facilitates spiritual direction groups at Princeton Theological Seminary. She is ordained as an elder in the Presbyterian Church USA.

(Continued from page 10)

Download a copy of the Deepening Year for Direction Ministries brochure on-line at www.oasismin.org or request one by calling 717-737-8222 or emailing [email protected]

Souls on the Journey

Spirituality for the

Second Half of Life

Our focus for Souls on the Journey will be “Spirituality for the Second Half of Life.” We will continue to offer a retreat day for spiritual reflection and discussion with co-journeyers, sharing prayer time, discussion and experiential contemplation.

These days are open to anyone who would like to share gentle time together to meet Spirit. We would love if you can commit to all four events so all of us may more fully share this gift of becoming more fully alive!

Our group is limited to 12 participants. These gatherings foster openness and offer safety across lines of our various theological, political, and denominational positions.

Our Theme: Taking care of unfinished business

Our Mantra: “Want what you have, do what you can, and be who you are!” Forrest Church, Love and Death

Our Schedule: 10am to 3pm, Tuesdays: September 14, and November 16, 2010; January 18 and March 15, 2011

Leadership: Both facilitators, Kathleen Roney and Linda Klopp, are trained spiritual directors and graduates of Oasis’ Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides and Deepening Year for Direction Ministries.

Where? Kenbrook (www.kenbrook.org)

190 Pine Meadow Road, Lebanon, PA 17046

Retreat Fee: ONLY $35-$55 per gathering day Register for all 4 gatherings for $120 - Save over 10%!

SPIRITUALITY FOR THE

SECOND HALF OF LIFE

2010/2011

Suggested overall workbook:

Life's Companion: Journal

Writing as a Spiritual Quest by

Christina Baldwin

Sept 14: defining and accepting

our second half of life

Read: Contemplation and

Midlife Crisis: Examples from

Classical and Contemporary

Spirituality by Rosemarie

Carfagna

Nov 16: breaking open and healing

Read: Broken Open: How

Difficult Times Can Help Us

Grow by Elizabeth Lesser,

Jan 18: Aging into hope, joy, grace

Read: The Gift of Years:

Growing Older Gracefully by

Joan Chittister

March 15: Living fully-dying well

Read: Love & Death, My Journey

through the Valley of the

Shadow by Forrest Church

An annotated bibliography

and other suggested

readings can be found at

oasismin.org

Days of Book Discussion and Retreat

“These are the capstone years, the time in which a whole new life is in the making again. But the gift of these years is not merely being alive—it is the gift of becoming more fully alive than ever.”

Joan Chittister The Gift of Years

Gerald May Retreat Day Transforming Attachments into Love

Come apart for a day to celebrate the life and works of Gerald May at

Still Waters on the Conodoguinet Creek. Gerald May (1940-2005)

practiced medicine and psychiatry for twenty-five years before

becoming a senior fellow in contemplative theology and psychology at

Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. He authored many books

blending spirituality and psychology, including Addiction and Grace,

The Awakened Heart, Care of Mind/Care of Spirit, Will and Spirit, and

The Wisdom of Wilderness. Our day together will be a blend of

contemplating selected writings, time for retreat into solitude and

silence, and time for shared dialogue.

Leadership: Sanford Alwine has had a

therapy, counseling and spiritual direction

practice in Carlisle, PA, for many years. He has

facilitated programs in spiritual formation and

direction with Oasis Ministries for over fifteen

years, and also worked with Kairos School of

Spiritual Formation teaching contemplative

spirituality. He studied with Gerald May at

Shalem Institute and "considers him among the

most authentically real persons to have walked

this journey we call Life." Sanford and his wife, Lois, are co-directors of

Still Waters Retreat House, a place dedicated to nurturing the

contemplative life.

When? Friday, October 15, 2010 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Where? Still Waters Retreat Center 501 W. Slate Hill Road, Carlisle, PA 17013 Retreat Fee? $75-$95 (as you are able) Lunch is provided. Registration Deadline: October 1, 2010

To register or receive more information, please contact Betsy Keller at

717.737.8222; [email protected]

Love is the "why" of life, why we are functioning at all.

I am convinced it is the fundamental energy

of the human spirit. the fuel on which we run,

the wellspring of our vitality.

Gerald May Living in Love

Now in it’s 10th Year!

“Eckhart meets Eckhart: The Meister and Tolle”

November 8-9, 2010

Eckhart Tolle’s work in recent years has been reaching into the mainstream of our

culture, even being featured on Oprah. Eckhart Tolle takes more than his first

name from the German Dominican Meister Eckhart, (ca. 1260-1327). In this

retreat we will look to the two Eckharts for wisdom that reaches beyond the

confines of time to speak directly to the human condition. As is our practice the

first day of this retreat is open to all—no prerequisites necessary for participation.

Day 2 is limited to graduates of a spiritual direction training program.

Leadership: Glenn Mitchell, M.Div., is Director of Training and Program for

Oasis Ministries. Glenn designed and has provided primary leadership for all ten

years of Returning to the Well .

Location: Mariawald Renewal Center

1094 Welsh Road, Reading PA 19607

www.mariawaldrenewal.com

Retreat Fee (as able): One Day: $75-95 Lunch is provided Two Days: $270-295 Includes meals and overnight lodging

Fall: Returning to the Well

“Eckhart meets Eckhart”

Come for one day or make it an overnight

retreat!

Day One: A Retreat Day Open to All!

Overnight and Day Two: Going Deeper in Retreat

Open to Spiritual Directors (including those

in Year II of SDSG)

Learn more at www.oasismin.org

From its inception, RTW has sought to sustain and deepen the spiritual life. Every RTW retreat enters the mystical path through exploring classical and contemporary mystics and engaging the themes that emerge for our lives and direction practice.

Our approach in format is one of contemplative retreat. Reading suggestions are presented ahead of time but the flow of our time together is not academic in nature but rather continually bathed in the process of prayerful retreat and the sharing with others that emerges from retreat. This retreat quality will be preserved whether you come for one day or for two.

“RTW is always an "oasis" in the

middle of the seasons of my life in a

way that is redemptive and restora-

tive. It is so important for me to

avail myself of this intimate and

safe place to explore the spiritual

tensions and surprises that arise

when I draw more deeply from the

well of God's love.”

~ Rev. Gerri Fowler

Managing Stress and

Letting Go into Hope To all who deal with stress – come apart for a timely look at the

physical, mental, behavioral, emotional and spiritual effects on you

while coping with stress in today’s world. How can we not only cope,

but thrive and grow in the challenges we meet in our daily life? With

uncertain futures, how can we live in hope and trust? How can each of

us be a stabilizing presence in an unstable world? God is ever

present. Let us join together in God’s love as we seek and discern

answers to these heartfelt questions. Our day together will be a blend of

learning, self-reflection, laughing, relaxation, and a time for retreat into

solitude and silence for our renewal.

Leadership: Peg Cromer, MNSc, MA, RN

is a spiritual director in Lititz, PA, and

graduate of Chestnut Hill College in the

Holistic Spirituality/Spiritual Direction

program. She has also had a career as an RN

and is an adjunct professor for the RN BSN-

degree completion programs at Eastern

Mennonite University, Lancaster Campus and at Immaculata

University where she teaches several courses in holistic health. Peg is

on the faculty of Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation, facilitating the

second year – Prayer and the Contemplative Life. Peg finds that her

two roles as an RN and spiritual director blend well into a holistic

approach to life in general.

When? Saturday, November 13, 2010 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Where? Lancaster Friends Meetinghouse 110 Tulane Terrace, Lancaster, PA 17603 lancasterpaquakers.org Retreat Fee? $65-$95 (as you are able) Registration Deadline: November 1, 2010

“The Oasis program has

greatly enriched my life.

In this busy, chaotic world

it has helped me find and

claim a calm, centering

place where I can rest and

be restored by God, and

by myself.”

~ JoAnn Trevor

To register (or receive more information), please contact Betsy Keller

at 717.737.8222; [email protected]

Nancy L. Bieber is a teacher, psychologist and spiritual director with thirty years of experience in working with individuals and groups in transition and change. A core leader with Oasis, she leads spiritual formation retreats and workshops around the country. Nancy will be sharing in an afternoon retreat from her new book, Decision-Making & Spiritual Discernment: The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way (available in Fall 2010 through Skylight Paths Publishing). A description from the publisher includes:

When it comes time to make important decisions in our lives, it is very human to want to feel that the decisions we are making are good. When we approach decision-making as a spiritual practice, we are recognizing that we need the aid of the wise and loving Spirit whose Light exceeds our own. This is the practice of spiritual discernment, the traditional religious name for listening and attending to God’s guidance. While traditional religious language speaks of finding “God’s will,” the approach in this book is that we are active participants, co-creators with the Divine in shaping our lives.

Nancy presents three essential aspects of Spirit-led decision-making:

Willingness—being open to God’s wisdom and love Attentiveness—noticing what is true, discerning the path right for us Responsiveness—taking steps forward as the way becomes clear

With gentle encouragement, Bieber shows us how to weave these themes together so that they strengthen our decision-making process and help us find our path. When? Friday, November 19, 2010 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (check in at 12:30pm) Where? Kenbrook (www.kenbrook.org) 190 Pine Meadow Road, Lebanon, PA 17046 Retreat Fee? $35-$55 (as you are able)

Registration Deadline: November 4, 2010

Author Day with Nancy Bieber

Join us in the evening for

our Annual

Homecoming Dinner

At Kenbrook

Lebanon, PA

November 19, 2010

6:00pm—9:00pm



“I slept but my heart was awake” (Song of Solomon 5:2a)

Join us for a retreat entitled Awakening Through Our Dreams. During the

Advent season where Christians remember how dreams were an instrumental

part of the birthing of Christ in this world, we will explore together how

dreams can be a provocative source of inspiration and direction in our own

lives. We will reflect on the value of becoming more aware of our dream life,

practice doing that in simple and creative ways both individually and

collectively, and consider how to develop a more intentional relationship with

our dreams going forward. Participants are encouraged to bring at least two

significant dreams to the retreat, and to consider sharing their dreams as part

of a group experience.

Leadership: Marc Oehler, M.Div., LCSW

The retreat will be led by Reverend Marc Oehler, Pastor,

Spiritual Director, Clinical Social Worker, and co-Founder

of Contemplative Life: Spirituality for Daily Living. Marc

brings a reverence of and a fascination for dreams, as well

as over ten year’s experience journeying with people and

their dreams.

When? Friday, December 10, 2010 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Where? Camp Johnsonburg (www.campjburg.org) PO Box 475, 822 Rte 519, Johnsonburg, NJ 07846 Retreat Fee? $65-$95 (as you are able) Registration Deadline: November 24, 2010

Awakening through Dreams A Retreat Day for Advent

“[Oasis] has given me

a keener, more

vigorous engagement

with life.”

~ Sally Mathews



While it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary

place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

Let me seek solace in the empty places of winter’s passage

Those vast dark nights that never fail to shelter me... Joyce Rupp

Winter is an interior time of quiet intimacy, a time for deepening, a time for

attending to that which is essential, a time of increased need for rest. As the

season outside whispers its need for deepening and revitalization, so does the

season within. During this 'thin time' midway between winter solstice and

spring equinox, we will hold the stillness as sacred as we open to receive the

nurture that it holds. We will seek to bless the silence as essential for renewal

even as we listen for the yearnings and stirrings of our deepest nature. To go to

the depths of anything is to discover the sacred. In the wordless language of

love, we will quietly behold the beauty of what is.

Leadership: Vicki Kensinger is a spiritual companion

and lover of beauty, residing in Palmyra, PA, where

she nurtures her garden, her creativity, and her spiritual

direction practice, Sacred Listening. She has completed

Oasis’ Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides two-year

program, and the Deepening Year for Direction Ministries.

She blogs at www.emmaatlast.wordpress.com

When?

Friday, February 4, 2011

9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Where?

The Wittel Farm

1743 Mill Rd. Elizabethtown, PA 17022

www.lutherancamping.org

In the Deep Midwinter A Post-Holiday Holy Day



Retreat Fee?

$65-95 (as you are able)

Registration Deadline:

January 20, 2011

Making decisions is an unavoidable part of being alive. Whether in small daily choices or the largest life decisions, we all desire to make wise choices. This retreat invites us to reflect on how we notice and respond to God’s nudges as we make decisions for our lives. During our time together, we will learn practices to aid in our attentiveness to God and practices that help us make the changes we decide on. Participants may bring specific situations but they are not necessary. Stories from the past and anticipated situations of the future will provide areas for our reflection. The rhythm of the day will include opportunity for individual reflection and silence as well as group time. Leader: Nancy L. Bieber, M.A., M.S., has been on staff at Oasis Ministries for thirteen years, and serves as a lead teacher for the Spiritual Direction program and the Contemplative Living program. Nancy is a clinical psychologist but focuses now on retreat leadership and spiritual direction. She is the author of Decision-Making and Spiritual Discernment: The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way (September, 2010). A Quaker and a graduate of Shalem Institute, Nancy leads retreats around the country and has taught at Lancaster Theological Seminary. Besides her ministry, Nancy finds joy in her garden, traveling with her husband Larry, and spending time with their four small granddaughters. When? Saturday, March 19, 2011 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Where? Gladwyne Presbyterian Church 1321 Beaumont Dr., Gladwyne, PA 19035 www.gladwynepres.org Retreat Fee? $65-95 (as you are able) Registration Deadline: March 5, 2011

The Spiritual Art of Discernment: Practices for Finding Your Way



“I may never practice spiritual

direction. I still consider [my time

with Oasis] worth the time and

money because it has nurtured

my soul and deepened my walk

with God.”

~ Pastor John Strain

This hands-on workshop will introduce spiritual directors to the purpose, process and content of Group Spiritual Direction. We’ll examine how it differs from both individual direction and spiritual discussion groups. Several models for Group Direction will be introduced. The model developed by Hugh Smith and Ruth Workman, faculty members at Oasis Ministries, will be demonstrated and discussed. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in a spiritual direction group; to share their wisdom and experience as leaders and participants of spiritual direction groups; and to ask questions about initiating and sustaining groups. Leader: Ruth Workman, Ed.M., M.A., is a Certified Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader, and Certified Supervisor of Spiritual Directors. She earned a Master of Education at Rutgers University and a Master of Arts in Holistic Spirituality and Spiritual Direction from Chestnut Hill College. She has been offering Spiritual Direction since 1995. In addition to her ministry of individual spiritual direction she offers contemplative retreats at The Sanctuary, her home in Stone Harbor, NJ, and facilitates spiritual direction groups at Princeton Theological Seminary. Ruth retired from the Langhorne Presbyterian Church in 2009 after 20 years of service as Pastoral Care Associate. She is ordained as an elder in the Presbyterian Church USA. When? April 5, 2011 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Where? St. Andrews Presbyterian Church 600 S. 12th St. Lebanon, PA 17042 www.standrewslebanon.org Retreat Fee? $65-95 (as you are able) Registration Deadline: March 20, 2011

Group Spiritual Direction A Workshop for Spiritual Directors

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Get Connected!

To register (or receive more information),

please contact Betsy Keller at 717.737.8222;

[email protected]

To live poetically means perceiving the Presence in rhythms of call and response, brokenness and beauty, emptiness and fullness, for spiritual leaders and journeyers. Lent is a time for paring down. Using fewer words poetry creates a vivid focus, illuminating one’s path in uncharted waters or shaking us to action in plain sailing. Poetic metaphors can crack open seeds of our life’s passion and purpose.

Leader: Kent Ira Groff, founding mentor of Oasis Ministries, is a poet writer, retreat leader and spiritual companion living in Denver, Colorado. He is author of What Would I Believe If I Didn’t Believe Anything? and Facing East, Praying West, prayer poetry from his sabbatical in India. When? April 11-12, 2011 Monday 4pm—Tuesday 4pm

Where? Kirkridge Retreat Center 2495 Fox Gap Road, Bangor, PA 18013 610-588-1793, www.kirkridge.org

FOR THIS EVENT, PLEASE REGISTER

DIRECTLY WITH KIRKRIDGE. Thank you.

Living Poetically: Poetry As a Lens for Perceiving,

Presence and Passion

Oasis’ Founding Mentor shares at a Kirkridge-sponsored event!

We follow our 1st Poetry Retreat Day last year featuring the poet Mary Oliver with this year’s retreat looking to the writing of poet Denise Levertov (ca. 1923-1997). In the poem “Making Peace” Denise has a line that rings out:

“A line of peace might appear if we restructured the sentence our lives are making.”

Her poetry works in us to restructure the sentence our lives are making. Whether it be opening us to some new wonder in nature, pushing us around old assumptions of faith, or inviting us to collectively move beyond war and injustice, her poetry invites us to a deep restructuring in our seeing, our praying and our living. Come join us for a day apart at Mariawald under the worded light of Denise Levertov’s poetry.

Leadership: Glenn Mitchell, M.Div., is Director of Training and Program for Oasis Ministries. He is the lead presenter/facilitator for Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides and Returning to the Well. Glenn served as a Church of the Brethren pastor for 23 years in Maryland, Minnesota and Pennsylvania, before transitioning his ministry to the area of spiritual formation and direction in 2001, and is a graduate of Shalem Institute. Glenn has led a variety of retreats around the country on themes of prayer, spirituality, spiritual direction, nature and spirituality and the interplay

of art and spirituality. He has a practice of spiritual direction and retreat leadership based in State College, PA. When? Friday, April 29, 2011 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Where? Mariawald Renewal Center 1094 Welsh Road, Reading, PA 19607 www.mariawaldrenewal.com

Poetry as Prayer: Denise Levertov



Retreat Fee? $65-$95 (As you are able) Registration Deadline: April 15, 2011

REGISTER EARLY! Retreat is limited to 20 and fills up!

Merton Retreat Day A Repeating Event

Come join us for a day apart with Thomas Merton in the beautiful setting of Still Waters, a retreat center along the banks of the Conodoguinet Creek. Thomas Merton (1915-1968), Trappist monk, writer, poet, contemplative, was one of the most influential Christian voices of the 20th century. We will explore his contribution in a contemplative and active way, and experience the ways in which his life and work still speak to us. Leadership: Sanford Alwine, a therapist providing marriage, family and individual counseling and spiritual direction in Carlisle, PA, and co-director of Still Waters Retreat Center, along with Glenn Mitchell, the Director of Training and Program for Oasis Ministries, who has led a variety of retreats around the country on themes of prayer, spirituality, spiritual direction, nature and spirituality and the interplay of art and spirituality. He has a practice of spiritual direction and retreat leadership based in State College, PA. When? Friday, June 10, 2011 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Where? Still Waters Retreat Center 501 W. Slate Hill Road, Carlisle, PA 17013 Retreat Fee? $65-$95 (As you are able) Lunch is provided. Registration Deadline: May 31, 2011

“The staff of Oasis is

challenging and kind, very

dedicated to nurturing new

spiritual directors and

promoting the

contemplative in a less than

friendly culture. The staff

loves the students and the

people they are or may be

directing. They uphold high

ideals.”

~ Gary Jacabella



Sustaining Ministry—Partnering with Oasis

♦ Partnering with Individuals

* Resources to help find a spiritual director

* On-line community

* Gatherings, dinners, reunions

Next Oasis Dinner:

November 19, 2010

♦ Partnering with Congregations

* Oasis retreats held in your church

see how at www.oasismin.org/Partners.htm

* Custom designed retreats for your faith community

* Workshop & retreat leadership

♦ Partnering with Judicatories/

Denominational Governing Bodies

* Tailored retreats for clergy renewal

* Retreats for leaders

* Displays and conference workshops

♦ Partnering with Oasis Graduates

* Resourcing Ambassadors to expand the circle of

community

* Graduate Directory—so graduates know of other

Oasis alums in their area

“I’ve found the program very helpful for a pastor to develop confidence in

directing a congregation’s spiritual life—one on one, face to face, and in

preaching and programming.”

~ Pastor Margaret Wise

Partnership Connecting with the Oasis Community

“At Oasis, it felt like

coming home—it was

wonderful to witness

the Body of Christ; we

were all different, and

yet we made up a

whole. We were of

One Spirit.”

~ Jet Schneider

Be sure to visit the

“Links” menu on

our Homepage

www.oasismin.org

for more ways we

can help you.

"We've not lost the ability to listen; we've lost the opportunity to listen."

- Gordon Hempton, One Square Inch of Silence

Perhaps, you have already read or heard how our Executive Director disagrees with this statement, because, for over 20 years, Oasis Ministries has been providing safe, sacred space to provide the opportunity to listen. With your help and participation, the Oasis experience will reach all people, providing opportunities for everyone to listen beneath the noise to the invitation of God in their lives.

We know that we share in abundance and richness as Oasis provides the opportunity for so many of us to listen beneath the noise in our lives.

Your gifts:

♦ provide scholarships so that tuition for our training programs is not prohibitive, and our contemplative community remains available to all

♦ offer innovative and relevant programs, as with our newest offering to deepen the spirituality of men: Men4Directions

♦ sustain our over 20-year history of quality programs and retreats, having now over 300 graduates all over the country

♦ expand the reach of contemplation, because it is what the world needs, as we vision a future with full-time staff, greater story-sharing in faith communities, and visibility throughout the country

We celebrate how your gifts become God’s gift to all who come to Oasis Ministries for spiritual refreshment, renewal and growth.

Feel free to use the enclosed envelope for your gift, or to make it securely on-line through our website: www. oasismin.org. Thank you for being God’s servant and for your continued support and prayers.

We welcome your gifts in various forms: cash, check, credit card, stocks and annuities, other non-cash donations (paper, equipment, etc), volunteer time, and/or a simple bequest in your will.

A Community of Support

Don’t forget you are entitled to a special ‘thank you’ gift as an

expression of our gratitude for your generosity. Visit

www.oasismin.org/BeneathTheNoise.htm to learn more.

Calendar

“Oasis feels like

coming home”

~ Pat Deeney

February 2011

2: SDSG Yr. 1 Session 3: SDSG Yr. 2 Session 4: In the Deep Mid-Winter (p.18) 7: DYDM Session 10: CL Session 18-19: Men4Directions March 2011

2: SDSG Yr. 1 Session 3: SDSG Yr. 2 Session 7: DYDM Session 10: CL Session 15: Spirituality for the Second Half of Life 19: The Spiritual Art of Discernment (p.19)

April 2011

4: DYDM Session 5: Group Spiritual Direction (p. 20) 6: SDSG Yr. 1 Session 7: SDSG Yr. 2 Session 11-12: Living Poetically @ Kirkridge (p.21) 14: CL Session 29: Poetry as Prayer: Denise Levertov (p.22) May 2011

1-2: Closing DYDM Retreat 3-4: Closing SDSG Yr. 1 Retreat 5-6: Closing SDSG Yr. 2 Retreat 12-13: Closing CL Retreat 13-16: Men4Directions Closing Retreat June 2011

10: Merton Retreat Day (p.23)

July 2010

17-18: Men4Directions (p.6)

September 2010

12-18: Wilderness Wanderings (p. 5) (Contemplative Canoeing Pilgrimage) 14: Spirituality for the Second Half of Life (p. 12) 28-29: Opening SDSG Yr. 1 Retreat (p.8) 30-10/1: Opening SDSG Yr. 2 Retreat (p.8) October 2010

3-4: Opening DYDM Retreat (p.10) 7-8: Opening CL Retreat (p.7) 15: Gerald May Retreat Day (p.13) 22-23: Men4Directions November 2010

1: DYDM Session 3: SDSG Yr.1 Session 4: SDSG Yr. 2 Session 8-9: Eckhart meets Eckhart (Fall RTW, p.14) 11: CL Session 13: Managing Stress and Letting Go Into Hope (p. 15) 16: Spirituality for the Second-Half of Life 19: Author Day with Nancy Bieber (p. 16) 19: Annual Homecoming Celebration (p.16) December 2010

1: SDSG Yr.1 Session 2: SDSG Yr. 2 Session 6: DYDM Session 9: CL Session 10: Awakening Through Dreams (p.17) MERRY CHRISTMAS!

January 2011

5: SDSG Yr.1 Session 6: SDSG Yr. 2 Session 10: DYDM Session 13: CL Session 16: Spirituality for the Second-Half of Life

To register (or receive more information),

please contact Betsy Keller at 717.737.8222;

[email protected]

Information/Registration

Name: ____________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Phone #:____________________________ Email:______________________________ Please contact me about: � Men4Directions

� Contemplative Living

� Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides

� Deepening Year for Direction Ministries

� Spirituality for the Second-Half of Life

� Spiritual Pilgrimages

� Retreat leadership or Spiritual Direction Please register me for the following Event(s): � Gerald May Retreat Day – October 15

� Eckhart meets Eckhart—November 8-9

� Managing Stress – November 13

� Author Day with Nancy Bieber—November 19

� Awakening through Dreams—December 10

� In the Deep Mid-Winter—February 4

� Spiritual Art of Discernment—March 19

� Group Spiritual Direction—April 5

� Living Poetically—April 11-12

� Poetry as Prayer: Denise Levertov—April 29

� Merton Retreat Day — June 10

� Other ___________________________________________ If paying by check, please make it payable to OASIS MINISTRIES, and send it along with this page to the address below. If paying by credit/debit card, please complete the following: Visa/MC/DISCOVER#_______________________________________ Exp. Date: _______________ 3-digit Sec. Code (back of card) __________ Signature:_______________________________________________ Amount to charge: $__________

I’d like to make a contribution to support the work of Oasis! See enclosed check or please charge my account at the above information in the amount of $________and use it towards:

� Wherever the needs are greatest

� Multiplying the Ministries (Endowment fund)

� Sanford Alwine Scholarship Fund

Oasis is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Contributions are tax-deductible.

Contact us at 419 Deerfield Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011

phone 717.737.8222 ; email: [email protected] or visit www.oasismin.org.

Please

� Add me to your

mailing list

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Program Guide 2010-2011

Volume 22, Issue 1

419 Deerfield Road

Camp Hill, PA 17011

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 667

Harrisburg, PA

Contemplative Canadian

Canoe Trip

Registration Deadline Extended

to July 1!

See Inside for Details

Oasis 2010-2011 Program Guide

Spiritual

Transcript of Oasis 2010-2011 Program Guide