The 2012 Diocesan Silent Retreat

April 13-15, 2012
Bon Secours Spiritual Center
Marriottsville, Md.

THE GIFT OF SILENCE. Silence in this noisy age is a precious gift. Give yourself the gift of silence the weekend of April 13 - 15, 2012. Refresh your soul. Renew your spirit. Deepen your relationship with God.

Every year the Diocesan Retreat Committee offers opportunities for people in all stages of their faith journey to spend time in prayer, contemplation and communal worship at the Bon Secours Spiritual Center in Marriottsville, Md.

Join our director, the Rev. Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt Jr. as he leads the retreat, based on the theme "RESET LIFE." What a challenging and exciting idea! What happens when we try to discern and live out the will of God? Do we become so heavenly that we are no earthly good? Does God demand that we renounce all we are and all we love? With discernment, are we more fully engaged with joyful living, having greater understanding of our God-given gifts? Do we – somehow – become more real?

Join us for a time of intentional reflection on the task of discernment, as well as its power to shape and deepen our lives.

All are welcome – regardless of diocese or denomination.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A SILENT RETREAT? Registration for the retreat begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 13, followed by a fellowship gathering and supper. After orientation and the first meditation, Compline (a short service) will be said, and the SILENCE begins.

Throughout Saturday, there will be services, including Holy Eucharist, and meditations. The afternoon is free for reflection, rest, reading, and re-creation until Evening Prayer, and supper. Then the third meditation is followed by Compline.

Sunday starts with Morning prayer, breakfast, the last meditation, and Holy Eucharist. The SILENCE ends at lunch. Then the participants reluctantly leave.

In the monastic tradition, prayer services were held every several hours, uniting the community in worship, and we follow this tradition. The services are taken from the prayer books of different countries of the Anglican Communion – this brings a new look to familiar liturgy and prayers.

We urge participants to join in leading the services or prayers or reading the lessons, or serving as acolytes for the Eucharist. We feel it enhances your experience. However, there is no requirement that you do so, or to attend any service. If you prefer to sleep in, rest is as important as anything.

HOW TO ENROLL
To enable as many people as possible to take advantage of this rich spiritual experience, we charge only $195 for the entire weekend, including private room and bath, and all meals.

Please note that our retreat fees cover approximately only 50% of the cost. We are thankful for and dependent upon the generosity of those with the means to contribute an amount above the $195 retreat fee and/or underwrite scholarships.

PLEASE send your completed registration form and your deposit check of $100 (or the full amount) made out to EDOW, with DRC on the memo line to

Margaret Bennett
2500 Virginia Ave. NW, Apt. 1205
Washington DC 20037
Home: (202) 337-3415
Email: bennmargar@aol.com

DEADLINE is Friday, March 16. The FINAL payment of $95 is due March 30. No refunds for cancellations will be honored after March 30. Further information will be furnished upon receipt of your form.

The Diocesan Retreat Committee was founded in 1967 as an effort to enrich the spiritual life of the diocese. The Committee launched the first Lenten retreat in 1968. In 1986, Advent retreats were added. In 2011, because so many parishes were offering Quiet Days at both times, the DRC changed to Spring and Fall retreats.

The Rev. Dr. Schmidt, an Episcopal priest, is Director of Spiritual Formation and Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality at Southern Methodist University. Previously, he served as Canon Educator and Director of Programs in Spirituality and Religious Education at Washington National Cathedral; Dean of St. George's College, Jerusalem;and in many academic positions and numerous parishes in the United States and abroad. He is the author of a number of books and is a well-known retreat leader and conference speaker.

Bon Secours Spiritual Center is fully accessible and is in a most attractive setting, with an outdoor labyrinth and woodland walks. We ask you to let us know if you have any special needs, and hope that nothing will deter you from attending.

Please help us by passing this message on to a friend, your Rector, or the Parish Administrator for inclusion in the weekly Bulletin.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN APRIL!