Journeying with Mary & Elizabeth: The Blessings of an Advent Community
In the Christian tradition, Advent is the season of waiting and preparing for Jesus to be born. It’s a time of great anticipation! No one was filled with more anticipation than Mary, the mother of Jesus. In her frightening position as an unwed pregnant teenager, Mary reaches out for help to her cousin, Elizabeth, who is also expecting a baby under some rather unusual circumstances. In Elizabeth, Mary finds blessing, acceptance, and sanctuary. In Mary, Elizabeth finds joy, companionship, and support. As Mary and Elizabeth await the arrival of their babies, they form a loving community that helps alleviate some of the fear, uncertainty, and anxiety of their unknown futures and that of their children. Although our circumstances are different than those in first century Palestine, our longing and need for community is just as potent as we wonder and worry about the unknown future of our hurting world. With Mary and Elizabeth as guides for our journey, we will gather in loving and sacred community, listening deeply for the blessings of the season in the midst of our unknown. You are invited to join us for this Advent day of retreat in sacred community at the Well. Our time together will include contemplative spiritual practices, reflection, periods of silence, and community sharing. A simple lunch of soup and bread will be provided.
DATE: Saturday, December 14, 2024
TIME: 9:30AM - 4:00PM
COST: Early Bird Discount (purchased prior to 11/11) - $60; Regular Cost (purchased 11/11/24 and after) - $70. Lunch is included.
LOCATION: Well for the Journey - 120 W. Seminary Ave, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093
IMPORTANT: You will receive an email from lorie@wellforthejourney.org at least 24 hours in advance of the start of your program. If you are unable to find the email, please check your SPAM or JUNK email folders. This email will include details to help you prepare for your program including any pertinent handouts, location information, and the ZOOM link for online programs. Please be sure you have received and read this email a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the start of the program. Thank you!
FACILITATOR: Lorie Conway
FACILITATOR BIO: Lorie has a passion for deep listening and accompanying others on their spiritual journeys through spiritual direction, small groups, and retreats. It is Lorie’s ongoing journey of transformation and spiritual discovery that fuels her desire to offer spiritual companioning to others. Lorie’s spirituality is rooted in the Christ tradition and is welcoming of the many paths and unique journeys enfolded within Divine Mystery. Lorie received her certificate in spiritual direction from the Kairos School of Spiritual Formation and holds a M.A. in Religion from Lancaster Theological Seminary and a M.A.S. in Behavioral Management & Human Resources from Johns Hopkins University. Lorie is delighted to serve both on the programming staff at the Well and as a program and retreat facilitator. She is also Director of the Shalem Institute’s Transforming Community: Leading Contemplative Spiritual Groups & Retreats program.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
If a program is cancelled by Well for the Journey, or rescheduled and you cannot make the new date, a full refund will be provided to you. For programs with pre-scheduled Inclement Weather Dates, refunds will be provided only if both the original scheduled date and the planned Weather Date are cancelled.
If you are unable to attend a program for which you are registered, you may gift your ticket to another party. Please notify the Well with your request at kristan@wellforthejourney.org and provide the name, mailing address, and email address of the person who is taking your place at the program.
If you cancel your registration 72 hours or more prior to the program start time, you may request a refund up to 50% of the program fee or request that your 50% refund be donated to the Well’s Scholarship Fund. Please contact the Well with your request at kristan@wellforthejourney.org .