Follow-Up Reports
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Family retreat with separate programs for adults, youth, and children, sponsored by
The Peace and Justice Committee, Eastern District Conference and Franconia Mennonite Conference of
the Mennonite Church USA.
Adult Program:A Spirituality of Gospel Nonviolence
with
Fr. John Dear Our time with Fr. John Dear will focus on the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes. We will read through and discuss the text of the Sermon on the Mount which Gandhi and others call the greatest manifesto of radical nonviolence ever written. We will step aside from our busy lives and focus on these critical teachings from the peacemaking Jesus. We will reflect on the Beatitudes, hear the call to love our enemies, and commit ourselves to the path of active nonviolence, so that once again we can practice the core teachings for which Jesus gave his life. Fr. John Dear is a Jesuit priest, a peace activist, organizer, lecturer, retreat leader, and author/editor of 20 books on peace and nonviolence, including Living Peace, The Questions of Jesus, Jesus the Rebel, and Disarming the Heart. The former executive director of Fellowship of Reconciliation, John Dear lives and works in New Mexico where he leads a campaign to disarm Los Alamos
Youth Program:Discipleship and Skills for Peacemaking with Grant Rissler Through a variety of interactive activities, participants will develop their own vision of peace and creatively articulate the connection between peacemaking and Christ's call to Come and follow me. Using both biblical and current day scenarios, participants will analyze the risks present in peacemaking and practice skills of reflection, analysis and action that are essential for Christian disciples. Putting these skills into practice in a safe space they will have opportunities to wrestle with possible responses to conflicts in their own congregations and communities. Grant Rissler is Peace and Justice Coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) - East Coast and part of MCC s Youth and Young Adult Network. Grant served with Mennonite Voluntary Service as an associate at the MCC United Nations office in New York City, and as an immigration paralegal for a pro bono asylum project in Harlingen, TX. He has studied conflict transformation in Colombia, Switzerland and the United States. Child Care/Children's ActivitiesWe will provide child care and activities for children up to age 12 during the adult sessions. We also appreciate parents or other adults who would like to help out with one or more of the children's sessions.
LocationSpruce Lake Retreat Center, RR#1, Box 605, Canadensis, PA 18325. (570) 595-7505. www.sprucelake.orgSpruce Lake Retreat is located 2.5 miles north of Canadensis on PA Rt. 447, in the Pocono Mountains. Preliminary Schedule
*Please bring bagged snacks (cookies, pretzels, chips, etc) to share with others during the evenings. You are also encouraged to bring your own mug for snack times or coffee during the program sessions. **During "Free Time" on Saturday morning there will be extended adult discussion time (10:35-11:45) with the adult leaders. On Saturday afternoon there will be videos and discussion time (on peace issues) as an alternative to outdoor recreation.
Registration Information[Printable Registration Form]Please plan to register early; space is limited. Sometimes we have had to turn away families because of the space limitation. Most rooms accomodate up to four people (a double bed and a bunk bed with private bath), and one or two additional family members may be accomodated in the same room on the floor if you wish to bring sleeping bags for them. Single adults who wish to room together should send in their registration forms together, otherwise they will be paired with other singles if space is limited. Cost to Participants:$135.00 Adults *($125.00 if paid by Jan. 4, 2007)$40.00 Children (Ages 6-12) $65.00 Youth (Ages 13-18) Children under 6 are free! This year it will be possible to register for the Saturday program only; check with us for details and cost. --------------------- Registration Form ------------------------------
Name_________________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________
City, State___________________________________ZIP____________
Phone______________________________E-mail____________________
Child's Name Age Sex
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____Adults @ 135.00 each* __________
____Children @ $40.00 each __________
____Youth @ $65.00 each __________
(Additional donation __________ )
TOTAL___________
Amount Enclosed___________
Amount Due at Check-in _____________________
[It is possible for adults to register for only the Saturday
program; cost is $35, including lunch and supper. Check with
us for additional details.]
Make checks payable to:
Eastern District Conference
Mail this registration form to:
Becky Felton
942 Camp Trail Road
Quakertown, PA 18951
Registration deadline is January 17, 2007
Any questions? Need more information?
Call Becky Felton, 215-536-7935, E-mail: bbfelton@netcarrier.com
or Robert Walden, 610-861-0653, E-mail: RWaldenPA@entermail.net
Financial InformationOur registration rates are listed on the registration form above, but the actual cost of the retreat is substantially greater than what the participants pay. The difference is made up with funds from the Eastern District / Franconia Peace and Justice budget. Registration charges cover personal expenses for lodging and meals, but not our program costs such as honorariums, travel, and accomodations for our presenters, publicity, and other miscellaneous expenses.Your donations are much appreciated since they allow us to provide scholarships for low-income families or individuals. Some financial help is available for those who find it difficult to pay the amount we charge. We want to enable as many people as possible to attend this retreat. (Contact Bob Walden, 610-861-0653.) If you have dietary restrictions or require other special accomodations (e.g., diabetic, or vegitarian, or difficulty climbing stairs, etc.) please include information about your needs.
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