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Turning Towards Fall Day Retreat
September 23 @ 10:00 am - 4:30 pm CDT
$70.00 – $85.00
Rest, Renew, and Prepare for the Fall
With Melvin Dowdy, Ph.D. and Dianna Amorde
Saturday, September 23rd, Still Waters Retreat Center
“There is something so special in the early leaves drifting from the trees – as if we are all to be allowed a chance to peel, to refresh, to start again.”—Ruth Ahmed
The Autumnal Equinox invites all that is living to trust the life flow of earth’s energies, what the Irish call “neart”, the endless cycle of possibilities bringing life, death, and rebirth. The Celtic mind grasped this cycle of land and sea; it knew how to hope.
Join us for a day of rest, renewal, and preparing to welcome the gifts of the fall season. Using poetry, ritual, conversation, and time on your own, we’ll invite greater confidence in this “neart” dimension of life and welcome in the fall.
DETAILS:
Saturday, September 23rd, 10:00am to 4:30pm
LOCATION:
Still Waters Retreat Center, 9409 Granada Hills Drive, Austin, TX 78737
INVESTMENT:
$85 (includes gourmet boxed lunch, snacks, and all materials)
or $70 (bring your own lunch)
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
9:30am to 9:50am:
Plan to arrive early to greet the land, get settled, and ready for a restorative day.
10:00am to 10:30am:
Welcome, Intentions, and Connections
10:30am to 11:00am:
Reflections and Poems on The Autumnal Equinox
11:00am to 12:10pm:
Time to yourself to explore, journal, or walk the labyrinth.
12:10pm to 12:30pm:
Group Conversation: What have you “heard” so far this day?
12:30pm to 1:30pm:
Lunch together or on your own, inside, or outside.
1:30pm to 2:30pm:
Celtic wisdom, Autumn, and this “neart” dimension of life.
2:30pm to 3:10pm:
Time outside or inside on your own.
3:10pm to 3:45pm:
Group Conversation: What is bubbling up within you? What are you hopeful about this Fall?
3:45pm to 4:15pm:
Welcoming Autumn (ritual).
4:15pm to 4:30pm:
Final Thoughts and Blessing in the Circle.
4:30pm
Depart, on your way to a beautiful fall!
ABOUT OUR FACILITATORS
Dr. Melvin Dowdy
Dr. Melvin Dowdy, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, has more than 40 years of experience in executive coaching, organizational consultation, and academic instruction. His practice includes spiritual direction and counseling those confronting serious life transitions. He holds a B.A. degree from North Carolina Wesleyan, an M.Div. from Duke Divinity School, a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Duke University Graduate School, and an M.A. degree in Clinical Ethics from University of Virginia.
Dowdy has been exploring Celtic spirituality, especially through the gift of poetry and enjoys sharing this passion with others. His book of poetry, “Night Weavers,” was published in November 2020. He returned this year to one of Ireland’s thin places where he conducted a leadership retreat at Notre Dame Kylemore Abbey Global Center.
Dianna Amorde
With more than 20 years’ leadership experience and ten years as Eremos’ Executive Director, Dianna brings her passion for helping people trust their inner knowing to her work at Eremos. Author of Aha! Moments: When Intellect & Intuition Collide and the weekly reflections in Eremos’ newsletters, Dianna views her service with Eremos as a natural part of her desire to inspire people to trust their inner wisdom. She has witnessed the profound life changes that taking time to go within to connect with Spirit can bring to people and their communities. She holds an MBA from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Southern California. Time among the trees and birds on early morning walks continues to renew her in these challenging times. And she always makes time to greet any four-legged friends she sees along the way.
