MN Contemplative Outreach 2017 Fall Retreat
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Deepening Compassion
Co-Presenters: Ellie Hyatt & Jody Reis Johnson Christ the King Retreat Center (website) Buffalo, MN (map) Friday November 10 at 3:00 p.m. to Sunday November 12 at 1:00 p.m. Early bird rates (if paid in full before August 31): Single room: $230 Shared room: $200 (per person) We have filled our allotted rooms at Christ the King. They expect to make additional rooms available - if you are still interested in attending, please add your name to the waiting list, and we will inform you if/when rooms have opened up. send to: Adam Gordon
1116 Raymond Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55108 make checks payable to: MN Contemplative Outreach Deepening Compassion Retreat
To deepen compassion for others and for the world, we must begin with ourselves. Indeed, self-compassion is built into the practice of Centering Prayer; we are encouraged to return to the sacred word "ever so gently," without judgment or self-criticism when engaged with thoughts. Yet why do we find it so difficult to place ourselves within the circle of divine compassion? One reason is that most people believe self-criticism is an effective motivator, as it provides the illusion of being in control. Self-compassion instead emphasizes self-acceptance and allows us to hold ourselves with love exactly as we are in this moment. It opens us to the Spirit’s direction. In this retreat we will alternate between periods of silent prayer and sessions that explore the concept of compassion in contemplative thought and practice. We will identify obstacles to self-compassion and offer experiential exercises that can help open us to the outpouring of God’s love for all creation. We will be upheld in our journey by the restful quiet and beauty of Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, Minnesota. |
So then, you must clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. – Colossians 3:12  Ellie Hyatt
Ellie Hyatt is the Former Director of Family & Spiritual Recovery at The Retreat in Wayzata, MN. Before joining The Retreat staff, Ellie was an independent businesswoman, a social worker, and worked with the state of Minnesota developing programs and writing legislation. She is a Certified Spiritual Director, with extensive experience organizing retreats and conferences. Ellie has been an active participant in Twelve-Step recovery since 1993.
You may be surprised at what comes, including the birth of new self-compassion that is the soil for genuine transformation.
— Sandra Lommasson  Jody Reis Johnson
Jody Reis Johnson, M.Div., MSW, is a retired mental health professional who has worked in a variety of settings including ministry development, private practice, and with political refugees at the Center for Victims of Torture. A longtime practitioner of Centering Prayer, Jody received her commissioning as a Presenter/Facilitator through National Contemplative Outreach in 2013 and now teaches contemplative theology and practice in a variety of settings. She and her husband, Bryce, a retired United Methodist minister, live in Mahtomedi. They have three grown sons and five grandchildren.
 The Chapel at Christ the King Retreat Center
Spiritual strength is the capacity to respond to events from the center of compassion and genuine concern, to relate to people where they are, and to accept ourselves and our weaknesses
in the confidence that God will help us to sift through our weaknesses and let go of behaviors that are obstacles to relating to truth, to other people, ourselves, and ultimate reality. — Father Thomas Keating |