wfn.org | UCC Craigville Colloquy turns spotlight on spirituality revival

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Craigville Colloquy turns spotlight on revival of spirituality

> Written by Staff Reports
> April 24, 2009

> Craigville Tabernacle

The "Spirituality and the Holy Spirit" conference will be held at the Craigville Conference Center on Cape Cod, Mass., July 13-17. The five day event will focus on the restoration of ancient spiritual practices in Protestant and evangelical churches.

"Both conservative and liberal churches are rediscovering practices that help us attune daily life to the ancient rhythms of prayer," says conference organizer, the Rev. Elsabeth Hilke. 
"In a time when so many of us are living in deep personal and financial anxiety, rediscovering in our lives a 'quiet center' from which we can draw strength is an urgent pastoral task for the church."

The conference is designed for laypeople as well as clergy. The event will feature two ecumenical celebrations of Holy Eucharist with music, Taizé vespers, daily morning prayer and Bible study, and workshops on ancient and contemporary practices, including centering prayer, art and spirituality, and Celtic Christianity.

"Our goal is that participants will leave the conference with practical ideas for deepening and strengthening not only their spiritual life, but also the prayer life of their congregation," says Hilke.

Keynote presenter is Mark S. Burrows, professor of the history of Christianity at Andover-Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Mass., on
"The 'Immediate Theatre' of the Spirit: The Peril and Promise of Christian Spirituality Today." A second presentation by Andrew Lang, minister for web community at the United Church of Christ national office in Cleveland, Ohio, is titled
"Lectio Divina: Breathing Space for the Word of God."

Located in historic Craigville Village, the Craigville Conference center provides a relaxing atmosphere for individuals and families. Rural paths and the 19th-century Craigville Tabernacle provide ample space for private reflection. Afternoons are free for participants who choose to explore Cape Cod and its many beaches. Membership in the private Craigville Beach is included with the registration fee.

To register, visit <craigvillecolloquy.com> or call 508/775-1265. Information about summer vacation opportunities at Craigville is available at <community.ucc.org/Groups/Craigville_Colloquy>.

The Craigville Conference Center is a ministry of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ.