Cultivating Presence in a Distracted Age: October 12-15, 2023

Location: Emery House in West Newbury
Thursday 6:00 pm – Sunday 2:00 pm, October 12-15, 2023
Offered by Sue Wentworth, with Emery House Brothers

Now. Here. This.

Being present is miracle and mystery.  This is eminently true of the presence of the Holy (Emmanuel, “God-with-us”), and also of one’s own presence – with oneself and with the rest of creation – and of the presence of every other creature. Yet how often, in our daily lives, do we find ourselves distracted and harried, more absent than present? In a technological milieu capable of modifying the ancient human experience of time and space, presence can feel like a casualty, displaced by instant and global “connection.”

This retreat — a weave of silence and conversation, solitude and community, stillness and movement— is an opportunity to explore presence in our own lives, trace the relation of presence and prayer, consider the grace in limit, and practice ways of cultivating presence.

Sue Wentworth (M.T.S., Harvard Divinity School; Ph.D., Religion, Emory University) taught theology at Emory and served as a lay leader in spiritual formation for Catholic and Episcopal congregations in Atlanta and Annapolis, Maryland, while raising two sons.  Currently, along with gardening and learning to watercolor, she continues to learn and teach contemplative spirituality. 

We strive to make retreat time available to all who seek it, and so the suggested fees cover only a portion of the expenses for making our facilities available. As such, we are always grateful for any additional donations in support of our retreat ministry.

$465.00 per person for this program retreat
$230.00 for students/young adults

Suggested fees can be reduced in cases of financial hardship.

Reservations are confirmed only upon receipt of a non-refundable deposit equal to 50% of your total fee.