Courage to Lead® Seasonal Series of Retreats

“There is in us an instinct for newness, for renewal,
for a liberation of creative power.
We seek to awaken in ourselves
a force which really changes our lives from within.”
                                                            – Thomas Merton

This series of retreats is for anyone seeking renewal of personal identity, professional integrity and vocational vitality, awakening that which changes our lives from within.

Over the past decade, under the guidance of Parker J. Palmer, highly skilled facilitators have created a unique retreat-based approach to renewing personal identity, professional integrity and vocational vitality. Participants seeking personal and professional renewal will expand their capacity to listen and be present, improve their ability to build trustworthy relationships, and find the courage to live and lead authentically.

Courage to Lead® work is framed by such questions as, “How can I maintain a strong connection between who I am and what I do?” “What practices will help me align my soul and my role?” “When pulled in so many directions that I feel dis-membered, how can I re-member myself and stay connected to the heart of my vocation?” In large-group, small-group and solitary settings, we will share our inner journeys via personal story-telling, poetry and teaching tales from various wisdom traditions.

Guided by skilled facilitators, participants will be invited to speak honestly about their lives and work and to listen and respond to each other—and to themselves—with encouragement and compassion. Courage to Lead® retreats support spiritual formation by providing opportunity for: renewing heart, mind, and spirit by exploring the inner landscape of the leader’s life; reconnecting personal identity and professional integrity, honouring gifts and acknowledging the power of limits; creating a community of mutual respect and caring that welcomes the soul and honours diversity; participating in the Clearness Committee discernment process and deepening skills to ask open and honest questions.

Educators, health practitioners, not-for-profit and business leaders, clergy, lay leaders, spiritual directors and students are among those who express great appreciation for these retreats. Typical of their comments are these:

“Returning to this “circle of trust”  again and again provided a most meaningful touchstone during this year of retreats. What we created, together, can only be described as sacred space.  Here, I experienced and learned deeper, more soulful ways to be present in that personal journey; both my own and side by side with others.” – Health Promoter/Therapist

“The process has helped me to own my peculiar giftedness and offer it with some confidence that I am contributing in a good way to the organic wholeness of our community, and thus the world. I am a better, more creative pastor because of you. I have indeed had my courage to lead fortified.” – Minister

“Friends and mentors have been excited by the transformations they’ve seen in my life since I began participating in the Courage to Lead retreat series.  I am grateful for the strengthening and for the way my life is beginning to open wider and fill with an energy and joy I hadn’t fully realized I was missing.” – Student

Participants are expected to attend and participate fully in all five retreats:
Apr. 8-10, 2013
Jun. 24-26, 2013
Oct. 28-30, 2013
Jan. 20-22, 2014
Apr. 28-30, 2014
All retreats run Mon. 2pm-Wed. 12:30pm with lunch.

Costs:
$50 non-refundable deposit is due upon registration
$395 per retreat will be due before the start of each of the five retreats.

Apply by March 4, 2013 for this Series:
When you register for this program you must submit a ‘personal statement’ (no more than 600 words) in a separate document to let us know why you are interested in attending this series of retreats and how you hope to benefit. Briefly describe the setting in which you do your work, your hopes for this seasonal series, and a question you may be holding. Facilitators will rely on your statement to ensure that your expectations are congruent with what will is offered, and to prepare relevant retreat materials. Please email your statement to the Five Oaks Registrar with your registration.
Leadership:

Mardi Tindal has enjoyed decades of facilitating leadership development within church, not-for-profit, governmental and business organizations, nationally and internationally. Mardi attended her first Circle of Trust® retreat in 2006, followed by an invitational retreat led by Parker J. Palmer the following year. She is now an accredited Facilitator with the Center for Courage & Renewal, facilitating Circle of Trust® and Courage to Lead® retreats. She served as Director of Five Oaks Centre (2004-2009) and as the 40th Moderator of The United Church of Canada (2009-2012.)

Fred Monteith serves in ministry as the Executive Secretary of Hamilton Conference of The United Church of Canada. He has many years experience and training in group processes and facilitation. Fred attended his first Circle of Trust Retreat in 2006 and has participated in two Courage to Lead Seasonal Retreats at Five Oaks. He is part of the 2012 Facilitators Preparation Cohort through The Center for Courage and Renewal. Fred is committed to growing the soul sustaining work of Courage and Renewal.

For more information on the Courage to Lead® retreats please visit: www.couragerenewal.org

Printable Flyer for this Program

Courage to Lead® Seasonal Series of Retreats