Practicing Hope in an Age of Ecological Crucifixion: November 30 – December 3, 2023

Location: Emery House in West Newbury
NOTE NEW DATES: Thursday 6:00 pm – Sunday 2:00 pm, November 30 – December 3, 2023
Offered by the Rev. Steve Blackmer, with Emery House Brothers

Learning from scripture, science, each other, and contact with the Earth herself, we will explore how the pattern of Christ shows a way of hope amidst climate and ecological catastrophe. We begin in awe and wonder at the beauty of the world. As we face suffering and grief at her wounds, we will hear a prophetic voice calling us to new ways and renewed faith. Complicit in death, we will stand by the cross and weep at the tomb. As bearers of hope, we will look for signs of new beginning. From creation to re-creation, we will enter more deeply into Earth’s cycles of life, death, and love.

Rev. Stephen Blackmer is resident priest at Church of the Woods in Canterbury, NH. Trained as a forest ecologist at Yale, he worked for 25 years to protect forests, mountains and rivers in his native New England. After a Voice called him to be a priest (notwithstanding that he had never been to church), he returned to Yale to study religion and ecology and be trained as an Episcopal priest. He founded Church of the Woods in 2014 as an outdoor community of prayer embracing all creatures and beings of the land—humans included.

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.