Blog (Page 226)
Leading Well Retreat
NOV. 14-17, 2017: LEADING WELL RETREAT PRACTICAL LEARNING. SABBATH REST. COLLEGIAL SUPPORT. Join us for a four-day training experience for pastors, deacons, and church leaders that offers practical learning, Sabbath rest and collegial support. Begins Tuesday, November 14 at noon, and ends Friday November 17 at 11:30 a.m. Leading Well events offer a unique blend of “nuts and bolts” skill development along with worship, retreat, and sharing of best practices. Come and learn with and from your talented colleagues across…
California Lutheran Executive Skills Workshop for Clergy & Church Workers
JAN. 8-12, 2018: CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN EXECUTIVE SKILLS WORKSHOP FOR CLERGY & CHURCH WORKERS Gain valuable and needed skills for pastors, leaders, administrators in congregational settings. Led by California Lutheran School of Management Faculty For the 4th year, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center & California Lutheran University are teaming up for what has become a very powerful and popular workshop — a week of continuing education with faculty from the School of Management. This workshop is geared to all clergy/staff…
Speaking the Word Freely Retreat
JAN. 23-25, 2018: SPEAKING THE WORD FREELY retreat Spirit in the Desert is honored to again offer Speaking the Word freely workshop, now in its 10th year. Speaking the Word Freely, with Rev. Jerry Larson, is the tried and true Process Preaching system enabling pastors and others to deliver sermons freely without reading a manuscript or speaking off the cuff. Speaking freely is such a powerful way of communicating that it literally can wake people up. Why does speaking freely…
Lutherhostel 2018
FEB. 25-MARCH 2 AND/OR MARCH 4-MARCH 9: LUTHERHOSTEL 2018 Join us in spring of 2018 for a week of faith exploration and learning, worship and singing, fellowship and fun at Spirit in the Desert. In 2018, we’re honored to have two highly respected and well-known theologians leading the teaching both weeks of Lutherhostel. Participants spend each morning in worship/song with our musicians/worship leaders and study with our featured guest presenter. Each afternoon includes options for continued growth both on and…
Healing of Memories Workshop for Women Veterans
APRIL 13-15, 2018: HEALING OF MEMORIES WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN VETERANS In 2017 The Institute for the Healing of Memories (IHOM) and Spirit in the Desert presented the first ever Healing of Memories Workshop for Women-only Veterans. It filled quickly and we have a waiting list for the next one, which we have now been able to schedule for April 13-April 15 in 2018. The workshop begins with dinner on 4/13 at 6pm, and ends at 2:30pm on 4/15. Sheila Laughton…
The Next 30 Years
Statistically, those of us in the 60 – 65 year old range can expect to live another 30 years. The question is, what are you going to do in your next lifetime? Not too many generations ago, 30 years was a long time. Those of you who are 75 years old … what are you going to do with your next 15+ years? No matter how old we are, how are we going to serve God and God’s…
Meet any crabby old people lately?
How many crabby old people have you encountered!? Can’t count that high? Many years ago I served as a pastor in a small parish in the Midwest. Of course everyone knew each other and walked on egg shells around two old sisters. After visiting them a few times, I told myself that it would be wise to never walk in front of their cars because I didn’t know if I’d make it across the road. “Crabby” did not even begin…
The desert is a place that beckons
“The desert here is a place that beckons you to reflect, to be silent and listen to the Holy Spirit. We are grateful for our time, we enjoyed our evening conversation with the pair of great horned owls, and we will be back again for more desert rest.”
Thanks for a wonderful stay
“Thank you for a wonderful stay, a time of learning, discovery, enjoying your hospitality, delicious food, friendship and the beauty of this retreat center. God bless you and keep you.”
You could teach hotels
“You guys could teach a lot of hotels around here the real meaning of hospitality because you know how to offer it!”
