God’s Creativity in Time of Transition and Uncertainty • November 4-6

As Christians we are a pilgrim people, journeying throughout our lives into fuller union with our loving God. With such movement and change, transition and uncertainty are integral to the journey. There are, however, critical events in our lives including the loss of loved ones, a loving relationship, a severe illness, or becoming unemployed which present major crises in our lives. At such times of transition, brokenness and vulnerability through God’s grace we can be especially open to the creative and transforming power of God.

Through ritual and prayerful reflection, the faithful, loving creativity of God will be explored in scripture as well as through early and contemporary Christian writers. The deepening of our awareness of God’s Presence in the silence of this retreat will allow for the recollection of God’s creative and transforming love in critical phases of our lives and the hopeful anticipation of the God’s continuing loving creativity as we are being transformed, moment by moment, throughout our entire lives.

Andrew Colnaghi is Prior of Incarnation Monastery in Berkeley. Besides his daily responsibilities in this role, Andrew continues his many ministries including spiritual direction and counseling, parish outreach, and oblate chaplain.

Arthur Poulin lives at Incarnation Monastery in Berkeley. In addition to his daily commitments there, including Guest master, Arthur is a painter presently preparing for his next exhibit in September of 2011. Arthur also enjoys offering classes and retreats on creativity and spirituality.  His paintings continue to be published as greeting cards, framed prints as well as covers for books, magazines and CDs.

Dr. Antoinette Betschart (Toni) is a Camaldolese Oblate and holds degrees in Nutrition/Biochemistry (PhD) and Theology (MTS). She is recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture where she conducted and directed research in various positions in the Western Region and in Washington DC. Various parish ministries, caring for and training the homeless in downtown Wash, DC, and guiding retreats have been some of her ministries.