Uncovering the Mystery of an Ordinary Loaf
Have you ever wondered about the origins of bread? Or, how and why bread has come to symbolize everything from nourishing sustenance and vitality to community, social connection, and cultural traditions? Overall, bread represents life itself to countless civilizations and religions, especially in the rituals they observe and celebrate. We take for granted just how much the pursuit and consumption of this ubiquitous food staple has become woven into the fabric or our everyday lives and spiritual journeys.
With these questions and realizations in mind, you are invited to join facilitator Gordon Creamer for a delicious lunch and dialogue about The Sacred Life of Bread: Uncovering the Mystery of an Ordinary Loaf by Meghan Murphy-Gill. In this 2023 work, the author vividly explores the life of bread, which is as ordinary as it is sacred. In a distinct way, this text uplifts the multitude of blessings that this substance is to its recipients, especially a path toward understanding the inner workings of the world, its inhabitants, and the rich relationship between the two. Murphy-Gill also explores the world of bread and the nuances of meaning it carries, inviting her readers into the “practice of bread,” which reveals deep spiritual implications for both communion and fulfillment.
As we navigate life within these challenging times, this gathering is intended to provide nourishment for both body and spirit. During the program portion of this session, participants will have opportunities for encountering the text with prayerful pauses, creative and contemplative exercises, and group dialogue. A tasty closing ritual will conclude our time together. Prior reading of The Sacred Life of Bread is not mandatory but may prove beneficial. This retreat begins with lunch. Guided by Gordon Creamer.
Gordon Creamer, MA, creator of the Mission Bridge, currently serves as Program Director at Well for the Journey, a spiritual wellness center in Lutherville, MD. As a creative and contemplative builder, he has held leadership roles in healthcare programming and operations since 2001 at various assisted living, skilled nursing, and hospice communities. He earned a Master of Arts in Spiritual & Pastoral Care from Loyola University and a Master of Arts in Theology from the Ecumenical Institute of St. Mary’s Seminary & University. Currently, he is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry Program at the Ecumenical Institute. Gordon has facilitated numerous retreats and workshops that focus on creating opportunities for participants to explore and enhance their spirituality and well-being through various media and formats. He also participates as a peer group leader in the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation’s Transforming Community Program. His passions include uplifting the journey of adults, individuals with memory impairment, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as fostering support groups and programs for caregivers and those who are grieving losses. Trained as a spiritual director/companion, end-of-life doula, and Reiki practitioner, Gordon welcomes all in discovering the spiritual life as a means of healing, expanding, and flourishing. For more information, visit TheMissionBridge.com.