Programs & Retreats

Called Back to the Well programs and retreats are open to all church leaders (clergy and lay) from any faith community. Email or call 505-332-8020 for additional information.

Personal Spiritual Deepening Program
The Personal Spiritual Deepening Program is a resource for those wishing to integrate a contemplative orientation - a stance that encourages moment by moment awareness and openness to God's grace - in all the changing circumstances of daily life.  This program supports not only personal spiritual deepening but also growing compassion for others and encourages individuals to connect what is happening in them with where they sense they are called to act in the world.

Who Might Be Interested in This Program?
This program is for anyone, anywhere, who feels drawn to contemplative spirituality and who:

• Desires a deepened relationship with God and to live out of that relationship;
• Wishes to develop or deepen a consistent spiritual practice;
• Wants the regular guidance of a spiritual companion for daily contemplative living;
• Seeks authentic spiritual community and support;
• Is eager to learn within a broad ecumenical Christian framework, enhanced by the wisdom of other traditions;
• Longs to be a transforming presence in the world.

Program Components
The Personal Spiritual Deepening Program: Living in God is comprised of experiential learning, supported at-home enrichment activities and spiritual practices, assigned readings, spiritual community, and an opening and closing retreat.  All of the following are important aspects of the program. We expect participants, through prayer and dialogue with their spiritual directors and program leaders, to integrate these components in a way that will best serve their spiritual deepening.  Topics include Listening and Transformation, Spiritual Community, Discernment, Earth Awareness and Sacred Activism.

Dates
Opening Retreat - September 28-30, 2010 (begin and end at 1pm)
Monthly gatherings - October 21, November 18, 2010; January 20, February 17, March 17, 2011 (9 am – 1 pm)
Closing Retreat- April 12-14, 2011 (begin and end at 1pm)

Place: Norbertine Hermitage Retreat Center, Albuquerque, NM
Leaders: Sue Joiner and Tim Schumacher
Sue Joiner directs Called Back to the Well, a spiritual renewal program for church leaders and is a minister in the United Church of Christ. Tim Schumacher is an Oblate with the Norbertine Community and a Chaplain at Presbyterian Hospital.
Cost: $890 (includes retreats, meals for all gatherings and tuition)
Registration: $100 deposit, balance due September 1, 2010
For more information, contact: Sue Joiner at sjoiner@samaritancc.com or 505.332.8020
To register:

Click Here to Download, Print and Mail your Application Form
or
Click Here to Submit your Application Online

Congregations
Nine month program (September to May) to center every facet of church life on God’s purpose and transforming power—teams of clergy and lay leaders from area churches meet to focus on congregational spirituality and leadership. You may enjoy reading Called Back to the Well: Revitalizing Congregations from the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.

To download an application for this program, click here.

Retreats
Intensive four-day program with a focus on silence, contemplation and prayer held at the Norbertine Center in Albuquerque, NM; $300 per person.

Groups
Prayer/support groups meet monthly, September through May, to offer shared reflection and deep listening for God in one another; $300 per person.

To learn more about one group's experience, please click here. An article about a group in Tucson is on page 8.

Sabbath Days
A monthly renewal day for church leaders that includes time for group support and individual reflection held on the third Monday of each month from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Norbertine Center. $30 per Sabbath Day, includes lunch. Email to RSVP.

Clergy Couples
Support for the unique challenges of the vocation of ministry and the impact on couple relationships

Workshops & Retreats
Available on a variety of topics related to leadership and spiritual vitality; can be customized to meet your needs and are scheduled upon request

Networks
Support and resources for church office administrative assistants, judicatory leaders, clergy couples, clergywomen, and others as needed

Scholarship Information