The Stillpoint Centre

General => Retreats, Reflection and Soul Days

In the midst of our violent, competitive and materialistic world, we humans, created in the image of God, CAN know the great “I AM”. However, we must make time and space for this. Retreats and Quiet Days allow time for dealing with the greatest reality of all – God.

Far from being ‘narcissistic navel-gazing’, retreats, reflection and soul days planned by Stillpoint are intended to be times of openness to God through scripture, worship, prayer, listening, silence and other spiritual disciplines. Lightly structured, and held in places of natural beauty, they provide time to be, distinct from the constant pressure to do and to achieve.

REFLECTION DAYS - GENERAL INFORMATION
(formerly known as Quiet Days)

The days will commence with a cuppa at 9.00 for 9.30am and conclude with afternoon tea at 3.00pm. BYO lunch. Morning and afternoon tea provided.

Cost $25 (Concession $20).

To register: Mail the multipurpose Registration Form with payment to PO Box 70, Toowong 4066, or phone the Stillpoint Centre 3217 8992.

REFLECTION DAYS IN 2010

Saturday 11 September 2010 - facilitated by Julie Price

"Experiments with Prayer"

Is your prayer life dull and boring? Learn some creative, exciting ways to deepen your relationship with the God who loves us all.

So often our prayer seems like a monologue that is one-sided, just coming from the individual who prays.

Julie will facilitate a Reflection Day that will invite us into a laboratory in prayer, where we take time to discern the way to pray in a particular situation, “How can I pray conversationally, so that I listen to God, and then respond to God’s conversation with me?”

Julie has summed up this kind of experimental prayer as “being like a pencil or paint brush in the hand of God.” It’s a matter of responding in the moment, without any preconceived view of the structure of our prayer, possibly doodling and using colours to help us draw up what is already there in our subconscious. Expect some silence, but also expect some “God conversation.”

The day will commence with a cuppa at 9.00 for 9.30am and conclude with afternoon tea at 3.00pm. BYO lunch. Morning and afternoon tea provided.

Cost $25 (Concession $20).

To register: Mail the multipurpose Registration Form with payment to PO Box 70, Toowong 4066, or phone the Stillpoint Centre 3217 8992. REGISTRATIONS CLOSE by NO LATER THAN Tues. 7 September 2010.

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Saturday 27 November 2010 - facilitated by Shirley Sargeant

"Waiting"

As children, we waited impatiently for Christmas morning. In Advent we wait with confidence in God's great act of love and solidarity with humankind---the gift of himself as one of us, God with us.

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RETREATS FOR 2010

Some folk approach retreat (and both Reflection and Soul days are simply a mini-retreat) with a sense of uncertainty, even fear, wondering what will be expected, or how they will fill in the time, or what God may say to them. Psalm 46 opens with an affirmation:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change.”

The affirmation is followed by two imperatives:

“Come, behold the works of the Lord” - that is, take a long, scrutinising look at what God is doing
Be still and know that I am God. New life is conceived in this knowing.

We can be enriched by such times of looking, being and knowing so that we continue our faith journey and our daily tasks in the Body of Christ and in this world, for which Christ died.

RETREAT AT MANLY

Friday 22 October to Sunday 24 October 2010 - facilitated by Robert Bos
Theme: "Peacemaking"

This retreat will be expecially designed for those who are new to going away on retreat, and includes gentle input sessions and creative prayer, as well as time for prayerful reflection and physical refreshment. With his wife Ainslie, Robert has developed the weekend around the theme of "Peacemaking" - making peace with ourselves, with others and with God. Robert is Director of the Pilgrim Learning Community - and is also a poet. He is committed to teaching and learning in order to deepen spirituality, equip people for community service and enrich the worship, witness and service of local churches.

The venue for the Weekend Retreat will be The Presentation Spirituality Centre, 26 Kooralgin Street, Manly (Brisbane). The centre has wonderful views of Moreton Bay and accommodates up to 20 people in single private rooms. All meals and linen provided. The retreat commences with the evening meal at 6.00pm Friday, and concludes with afternoon tea at 3.00pm Sunday.

The cost will be $210, with a concession cost of $170 offered to full-time students and those with limited means.

Registrations close on Tuesday 12 October.

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SOUL DAYS

Come away to the peaceful quiet of Dawn Courtman's garden for a personal time of silence and contemplation at 38 Praed Street, Red Hill. Arrive any time from 9.30am to 3.00pm. Please register first by phoning Dawn at 3369 2094. Bring your own lunch. Cost is $10.

Last Soul Day for the year ...

4 November 2010.