The Journey Toward The Undivided Life: Between Shore and Horizon A Courage & Renewal Retreat

We are living in ever-changing and challenging times.  We are often in transition, living life in unexpected ways.
We may be searching for our next horizon in life or we may simply feel we can no longer trust the horizon that once drew us on.
You are invited to join with others in retreat to reflect, renew, and reconnect with the inner passion, courage and sense of purpose that gives meaning to your work and life in the world.

The Center for Courage & Renewal is a U.S.-based educational non-profit organization that exists to nurture personal and professional integrity and the courage to act on it.
www.couragerenewal.org

About the Retreat:
This introductory weekend programme is an experiential retreat based on the approach to reflection that has been pioneered by the Center for Courage & Renewal, called Circles of Trust®. A skilled facilitator from the Center helps create a safe, quiet, confidential, and disciplined reflective space—a circle of trust—in which the noise within us and around us can subside and we can begin to hear our own inner voice.

In large group, small group and individual discussions and reflections, we will explore what calls, moves and sustains us in our lives. The weekend will be an opportunity to:

• focus, without distraction, on what matters to us – our values and vision,challenges and fears
• clarify our underlying sense of purpose and integrity
• practice deep listening and work with honest, open questions
• connect with diverse voices and perspectives, honour each other’s differences, and connect with others seeking similar insight
• learn principles and practices from the Circle of Trust approach that mightbe applied to our daily life and work.

We will draw on stories from our own journeys, and insights from poets, storytellers, and wisdom traditions to reflect inwardly on our life’s unfolding.
For more about Circles of Trust, you can go to the Center’s website  -www.couragerenewal.org – or see the books by Parker Palmer that are listedbelow.

Suggested books by Parker Palmer for advance reading: (not required)

“A Hidden Wholeness”
“Let Your Life Speak”

Facilitator:

Barbara Reid is a U.K.-based facilitator of Circles of Trust, trained at the Center for Courage & Renewal in the U.S. She has worked in universities since 1986, leading vocational degree programmes and managing social action research projects for public services and third sector organisations. Barbara is also a teacher of Mindfulness Based Approaches, and she now divides her time between delivering university skills trainings and developing and teaching programmes for a range of organisational and community settings. She is a volunteer college chaplain.

Who should participate:

The retreat welcomes individuals seeking the opportunity for reflection and renewal as a means of illuminating their own life journey, or enhancing their leadership role in work, organisational or community settings.

This retreat is based on the work of Parker Palmer and the U.S.-based Center for Courage & Renewal programmes.  This approach to ‘personal formation’ and professional development is founded on the belief that good leadership, in the widest sense, - the ability to genuinely be of service in communities and workplaces, - flows from the identity and integrity of the individual. 

The retreat process invites participants to reclaim wholeness of self and clarity of vocation while making connections between the renewal of one’s spirit and the revitalization of the communities and workplaces of which we are part.

Venue:

Star of the Sea Retreat and Conference Centre,
Mullaghmore,
Co. Sligo,
Ireland.
Telephone: 00353 71917 6722
www.staroftheseacentre.ie

The retreat centre is located in the beautiful village of Mullaghmore in Co. Sligo which is 24 km from Sligo, 79km from Knock airport and 115km from Derry/Londonderry. The centre faces directly onto the Atlantic and a small harbour. There is a walled peace garden, reading spaces, a relaxed breakfast room and dining room, sun veranda, and a residents’ room.  A chapel is open to the general public. The centre is wheelchair accessible. There are lovely walks in Mullaghmore around the headland and on the long beach.

Accommodation is in comfortable non-en suite single rooms or double en suite rooms (note: a double room means a double bed – no twin rooms). 

Dates and times:

Start time: 4pm check-in, in time for meal at 6pm and retreat start at 7.30pm on Friday 10th October
End of retreat: 12 noon with lunch on Sunday 12th October (and optional discussion from 1pm to 2pm)

Participants are asked to arrive in good time so they can settle in before the first session on Friday at 7.30pm, and to plan to stay for the whole of the retreat which is residential for all participants.

Cost:

There are three rates for the Retreat depending on which type of accommodation you choose:

1. Single person in non-en suite single room            €325.00 per person
2. Single person in en suite double room                €335.00 per person
3. Two people sharing en suite double room              €295.00 per person
           (All double rooms have double beds)

There are plenty of shared bathroom facilities for those in single rooms
Rates are inclusive of accommodation, meals, retreat facilitation and materials (although we do ask you to bring a journal with you).

Please indicate your preference on the Registration Form.

These “Early-Bird” rates apply for all applications made by 31st July 2014.

For applications after the 31st July an additional €50.00 per person is payable.

Please note – final closing date for applications is 31st August 2014.

All rooms are allocated on a first-come basis.  The Centre enjoys stunning sea views so please book early if you would prefer a room with a view!

Cancellation policy:

If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible. However, if you cancel after October 2nd 2014 an administrative fee of €75 will be charged and deducted from your refund.  No refunds can be made after that time.

Getting to the venue:

By Car:  Mullaghmore is off the N15 main Sligo- Donegal/Derry Road.  Coming from Sligo on the N15 by car, take a left turn on to the R279 in the village of Cliffony and follow the road for 3.22km to Mullaghmore village.

By Public Transport:  Sligo city is served by Iarnród Éireann mainline rail from Dublin  (see www.irishrail.ie ) and by buses and coaches from all parts of the country (see www.buseireann.ie ).  Local bus services from Sligo to Donegal/Derry/Londonderry are available from Bus Éireann.  You will need to get off bus in Cliffony (3km from Mullaghmore) and the Conference Centre can pick you up by arrangement.

Bring: 
Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and walking shoes
Toiletries, personal items
A journal

Additional information:

Facilities at Star of the Sea are suitable for wheel-chair users.  Please  contact The Secretary to discuss your specific needs.

Limited access to wi-fi is available within the Centre.

For any questions about the retreat, in the first instance please contact
either Rita McNulty on mobile 00353 876295453 or at e mail [email protected] or Lyle McElderry on mobile 00353 863625645 or on e mail [email protected]

Registration: personal statement and registration form (form attached):

Registration is limited to 25 participants.   Please complete the registration form and send it with your cheque/bank draft in euros to:  

The Secretary, Star of the Sea Retreat and Conference Centre, Mullaghmore, Co.Sligo.

At the same time that you register, please also write a brief personal statement responding to the questions listed below.

Send this directly to the facilitator, Barbara Reid, on [email protected] or at 17 Church Street, Northborough, Peterborough PE6 9BN, U.K.

Personal statement:

At the same time as you submit your registration form with payment to the Conference Centre please also submit a Brief Personal Statement* directly to the facilitator, Barbara Reid on the address(es) given below. Please note that the personal statement should not be sent to the Conference Centre.

Kindly address the following in your Brief Personal Statement:

• How you learned about this retreat and/or the work of the Center for Courage & Renewal/Parker Palmer, and what you hope to get from the retreat 
• The setting in which you currently do your work
• A question you are holding about your vocation or life’s work.
• Any other information you would like to share or make the facilitator aware of (e.g. health or special needs)

Send to:  Barbara Reid, on [email protected] or at 17, Church Street,Northborough, Peterborough PE6 9BN, U.K.
*Please limit your statement to one word-processed page if possible.

REGISTRATION
THE JOURNEY TOWARD THE UNDIVIDED LIFE RETREAT
10-12 OCTOBER 2014
STAR OF THE SEA RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTRE,
MULLAGHMORE, CO. SLIGO

Name:__________________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________

Tel.: _______________________________

Mobile:_______________________________

Email:__________________________________________________________________

Special Dietary or Other Needs:
________________________________________________

Vegetarian:  Yes_________               No________          (tick one)

Please tick your preferred type of accommodation:

Single person in non-en suite single room   @ €325.00 per person
Single person in en suite double room         @ €335.00 per person
Two people sharing en suite double room    @ €295.00 per person
For doubles, name of sharer: _______________________
(note that double rooms contain a double bed; not twin beds)

For applications after 31st July please add €50.00 to the above prices.

Total fee enclosed: __________   Please make cheque/bank draft payable to:

Star of the Sea Centre

Please send your completed registration form to:

The Secretary, Star of the Sea Retreat and Conference Centre, Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, Ireland.

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

William Faulkner