Theme: Biomimicry as Spiritual Practice.  Mystics from many traditions have long invited people to deepen their connection to the Divine through inspiration from nature.  Biologists define biomimicry as a design movement that solves problems by drawing inspiration from nature.   This retreat will explore this intersection and encourage our attention to details from the natural world to deepen our spiritual lives.  Since this weekend falls on the Summer Solstice in our Northern Hemisphere, we will pay particular attention to the interplay of light and dark on the Earth and in our experience of the Holy.

Leader: Judy Walsh-Mellett has a long association with Dayspring as a retreatant, retreat assistant and leader.  She is delighted to be part of Dayspring’s Ember Day team which provides seasonal retreats making connections between the seasons of the natural world, liturgical seasons and our spiritual lives.  She also offers her Maryland home and garden as Still Place: An Urban Retreat.

Weekend retreats run Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. The silence begins Friday night after dinner when the leader opens the retreat and introduces the theme. The leader usually offers brief morning and evening reflections on Saturday. The silence ends after breakfast Sunday morning with a time of sharing and worship, followed by lunch and departure.

The cost for weekend retreats is $300.  A $150 deposit is required to register.

Dinner on Friday at 7 pm is the first official gathering. You are welcome to arrive and settle in between 3:30 and 6:30 pm on Friday. The retreat will end by 2 pm on Sunday.  Please plan to stay for the entire retreat.