Programs of Convocation

Upcoming Event

Deepening Spiritual Practice - A Weekend Retreat Mark your calendar for the weekend of October 21 – 23, 2011, at Sahale Learning Center

The Board of Convocation is excited to offer this retreat under the leadership of John and Colette Hoff.
John and Colette Hoff have been asked to conduct this workshop because we have learned to
respect their maturity and their steadiness in even difficult times. We appreciate their wisdom in
responding in the moment to both crises and enduring problems. They live, love, and serve in
ways we admire. We have asked them to share with us their own approaches to daily practices
that have been helpful to them. We are finding it an interesting task to list the behaviors and
methods by which lead and demonstrate their approach to life and faith—they are not preachy
yet their lives contain a challenge to us. Do you have questions for them about their practices and
methods?

Taking on a spiritual practice is not different than cultivating a good habit:
 A spiritual practice encourages the right and wise use of your brain/mind.
 A spiritual practice may be practical and “secular” yet spiritually motivated.
 A practice involves consistency and repetition over a long period of time.
 A spiritual practice enables a warming of your heart and an opening of your mind.
 A spiritual practice encourages positivity in attitude.
 A spiritual practice is an appropriate response to life.
 A spiritual practice is not distracting for others.
 A spiritual practice honors inwardness and the intention to improve the world through
your own efforts.
 Spiritual practices change, deepen and develop over time

This workshop will be held at Sahale Learning Center, beginning with a casual meal and will
formally begin at 8:00 on Friday. We will conclude at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday October 23. The
suggested donation is $225.00 (includes $100 program fee and $125 is board and room).

Circle of Practice Sunday evening - 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Currently the program called A Circle of Practice meets between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. under the leadership of John and Colette Hoff. For the year 2011 we will be exploring the seven practices identified by Roger Walsh, MD, Ph.D., in his book, Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind. This program identifies seven areas of practice that encourage emotional intelligence, social intelligence, ethical awareness, and the development of the capacity to know oneself, to feel compassionate toward others, and to cultivate a sense of service beyond the confines of our own lives.

Additional programs of education and training are offered regularly through Convocation. These programs are developed by leadership in response to specific interests and/or needs of participants, friends, and families, and are announced in advance. Programs express a carefully designed curriculum covering:

•  Self-understanding and development.
•  Understanding relationships and how to work with them.
•  Learning to join; learning to serve—making social contribution.

Program workshops and retreats are often held at Sahale Learning Center on the Kitsap Peninsula.

The program of watchcare focuses on the whole of life. Members and friends of Convocation are arranged in supportive groupings to enable mutual care. Thus watchcare speaks not only of the profession services of our pastors, who supervise the program, but also provides an enriched experience of service through intentional caring for each other. Watchcare is also offered by the staff and congregation to people in the Seattle area. As a parish we welcome the opportunity to engage and help people in need of: humane and spiritual support. These watchcare services are especially needed and appreciated during times of stress and illness.