And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart – Phillipians 4:7
Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts. – Wendell Berry, Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front
A cynic might tell us that any human heart that is at peace in our world today is not paying attention. Yet, the above passage from Phillipians offers us a vision for peace which, far from the fruit of ignorance, has roots in a heart well guarded.
As I look at all Corhaven wants to offer up, both to God, and to you all, it makes me reflect on the question: what is the core of Corhaven’s vision and mission, as a part of Coracle?
Upon reflection, I realized right away that the answer to that question can be found, in part, in our name. Corhaven combines the Latin word “cor” meaning “heart” and “haven,” signifying a resting place or refuge. This perfectly animates our work. Each aspect of what we do, whether developing spiritual retreat resources, maintaining the garden, forest trails and the buildings, or working on making registration run smoothly: every piece constructs this haven for the heart of God’s people.
With that in mind, Corhaven is excited to release our Fall Open Retreat Offerings. While the strong majority of activity at Corhaven occurs through self-guided group and individual retreats, a significant part of what we do is to discern and develop guided open group retreats on more or less a monthly basis.
Whether you are an individual who needs a chance for a self guided retreat, or part of a leadership team or small group who needs to retreat from the hectic pace of normal life to deepen and strengthen their bonds, Corhaven is a place where, through prayer (Phillipians 4:6) we once again set aside time and place to offer our hearts to Christ. Trusting that he is both trustworthy and strong to guard it well (Phillipians 4:7).
When I think of our Fall Open Retreat Offerings I see a chance to join with others to construct a haven through reflection, conversation, silence and solitude for the hearts of our retreatants. Here are some of our upcoming events that you can register for:
With the Digital Detox in both September and November, retreatants will explore initially through a brief reflection from me and conversation together, how to develop a healthier relationship to our digital devices, before entering a time of reflective silence and prayer.
Coracle’s Community Minister in Baltimore, Scott Buresh, and Corhaven Host, Denise Goertzen, will lead, through the vulnerability of their own experience of loss, our October 3-5th Grief retreat. I can think of few retreats that we could offer that so prayerfully invite the Spirit to do a work of incomprehensible peace, through the sheltering of retreatants’ hearts.
Our Silence & Solitude retreat on October 18th, will provide retreatants an extended period to be alone with God, together. Utilizing the Fall beauty of Corhaven to cultivate intimacy with Jesus whether utilizing one of Corhaven’s Retreat Guides, or through their own self-guided prayer practices.
Fall’s offerings will close out with yet another Advent themed retreat led by spiritual director Zoe Hansen on December 5th.
*Please note: Both the Grief Retreat, and the Advent Retreat were at capacity last year, so we encourage you to register sooner than later.
Regardless of whether or not we see you out at Corhaven this Fall, we invite you here and now to trust that, in Christ, there is both the strength and the willingness to construct a haven for your heart strong enough to provide a surpassing peace amidst the storms. The promise of scripture is that it comes to us, through prayer.