“Living Sanctuary,” A Westminster Women’s Retreat
with Children’s Program
Friday, October 11, 7-8pm: Optional Fire Pit & Stargazing at WPC. Children welcome!
Saturday, October 12, 9am-4pm: Trinity Ave Presbyterian Church & Farm Church
Children’s Program: Saturday morning, 9am-1pm
Retreat Fee: $75/adult $25/1st child and $5/additional children + canned goods/non-perishable food items for the Walltown Neighborhood Ministries Food Pantry
Have you ever caught a glimpse of the full moon and felt your breath catch in your throat and realized how small you are? Have you ever noticed the tiny intricacies of a flower and felt so big and out of touch? Have you ever reached the top of a mountain, felt the breeze on your face, and been perplexed by how any of this world exists?
Christian Scripture begins with humanity inhabiting a garden in Genesis and ends with the reign of God’s justice, peace, and healing in a garden in Revelation. In times of immense political tension, worldwide pain, and deep societal polarization, recognizing our place in creation invites us to attune ourselves to the ways God has long been at work in the world. When we do, we begin to recognize the places God is calling us to participate in the complicated work of life together.
Westminster Women’s Retreat is a chance to dive into a consideration of humanity’s place in this vast cosmos. Kristen Sommerfeld of Farm Church Durham will guide us through a variety of practices that invite us to see our lives as Living Sanctuaries through which we encounter God. Over the course of the weekend, we will explore themes of God’s vast provision and intimate concern for all creation present in Genesis, Job, and Revelation. Join us for a weekend of mindfulness and renewal that will inspire you to walk through this life with supple attention, slow intention, and just action. Register now
Children’s Program: Children (infants – 5th grade) are invited to participate in a separate program just for them. Our nursery workers will be available for children 3 and under. Children ages 4 and above will have fun exploring the theme indoors and outdoors. Children are also invited to join in the Friday Fire Pit activities (suggested Kindergarten – 5th grade)
About Our Retreat Leader: Kristen Sommerfeld (she/her) is a nature educator and community gardening specialist focusing on engaging communities around organic and low-till farming practices. This is her eighth growing season utilizing organic and low-till practices to produce food that preserves the honor, dignity, and health of land, farmer, and consumer. She is currently serving as the Garden and Gathered Worship Lead at Farm Church in Durham, NC. Farm Church is a church that meets on a farm. It leverages the resources of the farm to address food insecurity in Durham by loving and honoring people with good food. Farm Church is a New Worshipping Community of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It worships and farms in an empty city lot turned into a living sanctuary in Trinity Park. So far this year, we have grown nearly 3500 lbs. of organic produce for distribution across Durham to folks who are experiencing food insecurity.