One way to honor the Earth is to pay attention, to listen, to see the Earth and all of Creation, and to come humbly. Poet-theologian and fellow pilgrim Annie Dillard describes two ways of experiencing life: Walking as if taking a picture with your camera, from shot to shot, setting up and analyzing and framing. Or, “when I walk without a camera, my own shutter opens, and the moment’s light prints on my own silver gut.” This Earth Day retreat invites us to approach God’s creation with an open shutter, with vulnerable attending, and to see what will imprint there!
Using quotes and prayers and poems and insights from diverse sources – Annie Dillard, Saints Bonaventure and Francis and Hildegard, Celtic Spirituality, Teilhard de Chardin, John O’Donohue, Carrie Newcomer, the Psalms, and more – we will honor the Earth and the material world by listening to it and these fellow travelers humbly with our lives in our hands. We will see what they would tell us of mystery, of meaning, of God’s invitations to us, wherever we are these days. Celebrate Earth Day by entering this spiritual savoring with others, for “one can only love what one stops to observe.” (Beldan Lane) Time will be given to words and images, silence, presence, wanderings, sharing, and unfolding implications from the invitations received. Expect the Earth and God to show up!
The retreat will include lunch. Guided by Joanne Cahoon.
Joanne M. Cahoon, D.Min. holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies, master’s degree in Religion/Pastoral Ministry, graduate certificates in spiritual direction and in spirituality studies, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where her specialization was spirituality and practical theology. Along the way, Joanne has also taught in elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate school settings. She has also served as youth minister, high school campus minister, consultant, writer, national trainer, diocesan staff member, staff member of a graduate school, spiritual director, facilitator of retreats and professional coach. Joanne has welcomed and worked with many individuals and groups, serving them as they listen for God’s invitations in their personal and corporate lives. She finds it a privilege to be involved in spiritual and human formation; bringing deep listening, presence, creativity and a commitment to her own ongoing formation to her work.