Circle of Trust Retreats
It seems to me that each of us belongs to the world in a very particular way, and that we learn slowly to live out that way of belonging as a faith that can be stronger than any religious dogma. I do not think this is a selfish road; I believe that this is the only authentic way we can give of our self and our gifts to others. This is how we learn to be generous. And it is also how we learn the magnificence and difficulty of living a courageous life.
—David Whyte
Everything that happens to you is your teacher…the secret is to learn to sit at the feet of your own life and be taught by it.
—Polly Berends
The Center offers a series of three progressive retreats designed for those interested in experiencing a circle of trust and focusing on ways to bring deeper connections to their lives and work. This series of retreats is intended for persons in diverse professions - including education, healthcare, law, philanthropy, religious life, non-profit and community leadership.
Circle of Trust I
The Journey toward an Undivided Life
This introductory retreat focuses on the rejoining of soul and role, of reconnecting who we are with what we do. Clearness Committees, a communal process of discernment around a difficult life or vocational issue, will be offered as part of this retreat.
Click the date(s) below for information and registration materials:
July 17-19, 2008 Minneapolis, MN
Note: In addition to the Circle of Trust retreats offered by the Center, there are also cross-professional Circle of Trust retreats offered by Courage & Renewal Facilitators in their communities. For more offerings, please see the Retreat Calendar.
Circle of Trust II
Living the Questions
This, the second Circle of Trust retreat, is for people with previous experience in a circle of trust. It explores, in more depth, the conditions noted in A Hidden Wholeness that help create a circle of trust, with particular attention given to the practice of asking open, honest questions.
Note: Prior attendance at a Circle of Trust I: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life Retreat is required.
Click the date(s) below for information and registration materials:
October 21-24, 2008 in Marriottsville, Maryland
Circle of Trust III
Welcoming the Soul and Weaving Community
The final Circle of Trust retreat creates a space where participants not only go deeper in their own inner work but can also explore what Parker Palmer describes as "the third way." (The third way is the way of nonviolence, by which I mean a commitment to act in every situation in ways that honor the soul. -- Parker Palmer, A Hidden Wholeness). During this retreat, there will also be an opportunity to explore integrating the conditions and practices of circles of trust into participants' own work or community settings.
Note: Prior attendance at a Circle of Trust II: Living the Questions Retreat is required. Alumni of Courage to Teach and Courage to Lead retreat series may also attend.
Click the date(s) below for information and registration materials:
February 3-6, 2009 in San Rafael, California
Click here to download the Frequently Asked Questions about circles of trust.