Programs
We frequently schedule programs after the beginning of the year, so do keep in touch with us via our email list, Facebook, or web site to hear the latest program offerings!
Align & Flow Yoga for Beginners now through May 14th
Only $7/class, or purchase a 4-class card for $20 cash or check
Teacher: Torre Hinnant, MD, RYT-500
Over 20 years experience teaching yoga
Mind-Body MD
Torre-Hinnant.squarespace.com
DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM FOR ALL 2019 PROGRAMS HERE.
Program Policies & Information (Opens in a new window)
2019 Calendar
You can see a complete calendar of events for all VCCC-sponsored programs by clicking here.
Seasons of the Spirit: Winter
Friday, February 22, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Quilting as Storytelling
Friday, March 1, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Women Writers Workshop I
Thursday, March 7 - Sunday, March 10
Praying with Origen: What the Church's misunderstood genius has to teach us today
Friday, March 15, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Gentle Pathways Retreat
Monday, April 1 - Friday, April 5
Seasons of the Spirit: Spring
Friday, April 5, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Centering Prayer: An Introductory Retreat
Sunday, April 7 - Tuesday, April 9
Short Lenten Retreat
Friday, April 12, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Valle Crucis Nature Walk
Friday, May 3, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Enneagram for Spiritual Seekers
Sunday, June 2 - Tuesday, June 4
Praying En Plein Air: An Art & Spirituality Workshop
Friday, June 14, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Unbinding the Heart: a Mountain Yoga Retreat
Friday, June 14 - Sunday, June 16
Seasons of the Spirit: Summer
Friday, June 21, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
A Journey in the Daring Way
Sunday, August 25 - Wednesday, August 28
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Johnson Hall
$46 for full program and lunch; $91 to add lodging Thursday evening
Winter is a season of slowing down, resting, dormancy, and waiting. We are invited to an unhurried pace in the circle of life where we may find time for withdrawal and restoration of energy.
During our time together, we will explore the spiritual winter that we experience in life. Maybe you are in this season, a time of loss, or perhaps relishing the stillness and stretching your soul. Come along on a journey to map our seasons, explore the paths we have taken, and seek our commonality found in the image of God that dwells within us. We will explore this topic through scripture, story, discussion, song, art, prayer, guided meditation, reflection time and creative spirituality.
Facilitator Rebecca Husband-Maynard received her Master of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is a Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator and received a Certificate in Spiritual Formation through Columbia Theological Seminary. Her husband, Mark, and she reside in Elkin, NC.
Register online securely here.
Quilting as Storytelling
Friday, March 1, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Facilitated by Katherine Lile of the Mountain Thread Company
Johnson Hall
$46 for full program and lunch; $91 to add lodging Thursday evening
Register for Quilting as Storytelling safely and securely online here.
Praying with Origen: what the Church’s misunderstood genius has to teach us today
Friday, March 15, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Facilitated by the Rev. Joshua Bowron
Johnson Hall
$46 for full program and lunch; $91 to add lodging Thursday evening
In the mid third century Origen of Alexandria essentially set the tone for the Christian intellectual tradition and developed Trinitarian theology nearly 100 years before the council of Nicaea. A thinker of unparalleled genius, he was marked as a heretic four hundred years after his death. The Episcopal church is currently revising its understanding of Origen. Join us at Valle Crucis for a day of more deeply understanding Origen, his impact on the Church, and his powerful advice on prayer and the object of our prayer.
The Reverend Josh Bowron is the rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He initially met the work of Origen in a class at the Advanced Degrees Program at the School of Theology at the University of the South, which led to his art installation at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, “Cartoons in the Desert,” now part of the permanent collection, which is set to be on display again in 2020.
Josh lives in Charlotte with his wife, four chickens, three children, two cats, and one perfect dog.
Register securely for this event online here.
Women Writers Workshop I
Thursday, March 7 - Sunday, March 10
Facilitated by Katerina Whitley
Lodging in the Mission House
$304 Full program; $169 Commuter program; $58 one day
Join this group of women writers to capture memories, define thoughts, express emotions, bring order out of chaos. New writers are most welcome.
A native of Thessaloniki, Greece, Katerina Whitley has worked as a church journalist on the diocesan and national levels, taught at universities, and is the author of six books.
Full Program rate covers all lodging, meals, and program costs. Commuter rate includes meals and program costs. Deepen and hone your craft, get to know some wonderful women, and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Valle Crucis for a long weekend.
Register securely and safely online here.
Gentle Pathways Retreat
Monday, April 1 - Friday, April 5
Facilitated by the Rev. Tamara Franks
Lodging in the Inn
$463 full (program, meals, and lodging inclusive); $278 commuter
Follow Gentle Pathways to hope, grace...and maybe even some grit through immersing your Spirit in nature’s beauty, calm, quiet, thoughtfulness, awe, hospitality - and some good-hearted belly laughter. You decide how much and to what level you participate in hikes, nature meditations, finding your way to a waterfall or just enjoying an open field. If the weather is full of sun or clouds, dry air or precipitation, again you choose your engagement with Creation in all of its forms. Deepening your sense of being through connecting with nature, noticing the balm that soothes your soul or the adrenaline that charges your spirit, our hope is that you find rest, renewal and recharge in a few days connected to the mountains of Appalachia.
Rev. Tamara Franks is a product of a Texas corn/cotton farm, loves the land and everything about it. In her rich and varied life she has been a head cook, science teacher, house cleaner, missionary, lecturer, minister and trip guide in Colorado, Maine, Washington and California. Arriving in the High Country of North Carolina and at High Country United Church of Christ in July 2014, she discovered a wonderful sense of compassion, a joy for these mountains and all nature, and a group of people seeking to find ways to live into God’s Church. Tamara sees humanity as co-creators with God, actively participating in creation “as we live, breathe, consume, create, love, hurt, maim, heal, etc.” She understands “salvation as the awakening to those moments of Emmanuel—God with us—each moment of each day.”
Register for Gentle Pathways safely and securely here.
Seasons of the Spirit: Spring
Friday, April 5, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Facilitated by the Rev. Rebecca Husband Maynard
Johnson Hall
$46 for full program and lunch; $91 to add lodging Thursday evening
Spring is a season of birthing, growth, fresh beginnings, awakening. We are invited to see what seeds are germinating and sprouting; what dreams are unfolding. During our time together, we will explore the spiritual spring that we experience in life. Perhaps you are feeling the sense of new life in your spirit and wish to examine where this will take you. Come along on a journey to map our seasons, explore the paths we have taken, and seek our commonality found in the image of God that dwells within us.
We will explore this topic through scripture, story, discussion, song, art, prayer, guided meditation, reflection time and creative spirituality.
Click here to register for Seasons of the Spirit: Spring securely and safely online.
Centering Prayer: An Introductory Retreat
Sunday, April 7 - Tuesday, April 9
Facilitated by the Rev. Rob Field & Becky Hannah
Lodging in the Inn
$374 full (program, meals, and lodging inclusive); $274 commuter
Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.
Whether you’re new to the practice or have been involved with other centering prayer opportunities in the past, you are more than welcome to this time of quiet reflection, beautiful surroundings, and the companionship of others.
The Reverend Dr. Rob Field is the director for the Center for Spiritual Wisdom, a non-profit organization that teaches spiritual practices. As an ordained Episcopal priest, he served congregations for 22 years in NC, most recently as rector of St. Phillip’s in Brevard. He is a founding member of Contemplative Outreach of Western NC and has had a personal practice of centering prayer for many years.
Register safely and securely online for this program here.
Short Lenten Retreat
Friday, April 12, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Facilitated by Katerina Whitley
Johnson Hall
$46 for full program and lunch; $91 to add lodging Thursday evening
More information about this retreat TBD!
Valle Crucis Nature Walk
Friday, May 3, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Facilitated by Deb Vail & Harry LeBlanc, Grandparents of the Forest
Johnson Hall
$20 per family;$11 per person for lunch
A walk in Nature is always more enjoyable when you recognize the friends you meet there. Join Deb Vail and Harry LeBlanc of Grandparents of the Forest for an informative plant walk to the VCCC waterfalls. They will introduce you to the denizens of the VCCC conservancy forest. And early May should be a great time to see many native wildflowers in bloom. Learn to identify some of your plant neighbors and how some of them can assist in your health. Wear sturdy shoes and bring drinking water.
Harry LeBlanc and Deb Vail, Nature enthusiasts and herbalists, offer simple yet meaningful ways for families to connect to Nature for healing and wellbeing.
The Enneagram for Spiritual Seekers
Sunday, June 2 - Tuesday, June 4
Facilitated by the Rev. Rob Field & Paula Benton
Lodging in the Inn
$374 full (program, meals, and lodging inclusive); $274 commuter
How differently might we experience each day if we looked at ourselves and each other with fresh eyes? What if we paid less attention to habitual patterns and behaviors that no longer support us or others?
The Enneagram offers us ways to see and embrace the beautiful Soul qualities within every human being.
The Enneagram has been widely recognized for its profound descriptions of nine distinct personality patterns. This program is designed to help participants shift their focus from personality-based patterns of emotion, thought and behavior to the Soul gifts they already possess, but may have forgotten.
The Reverend Rob Field is director of the Center for Spiritual Wisdom. Paula Benton has been a student of the Enneagram for many years and leads workshops and retreats often.
Register for the Enneagram retreat safely and securely online here.
Praying En Pleine Air: An Art & Spirituality Workshop
Friday, June 14, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Facilitated by Mike Newton-Ward
Johnson Hall
$46 for full program and lunch; $91 to add lodging Thursday evening
More information about this retreat TBD!
Unbinding the Heart: A Mountain Yoga Retreat
Friday, June 14 - Sunday, June 16
Facilitated by Chad Hallyburton
Lodging in the Farm House and Annex
$214 full (program, meals, and lodging inclusive); $139 commuter
It has been said that when all the knots that bind the heart are loosened, we'll find true life. Spend a weekend "unwinding" with yoga, meditation, hiking, good food, good people, and more. No yoga experience needed.
More information and online registration coming shortly!
Seasons of the Spirit: Summer
Friday, June 21, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Facilitated by the Rev. Rebecca Husband Maynard
Johnson Hall
$46 for full program and lunch; $91 to add lodging Thursday evening
More information about this retreat TBD!
A Journey in the Daring Way
Sunday, August 25 - Wednesday, August 28
Facilitated by the Rev. Cyndi Banks & the Rev. Karla Woggon
Lodging in the Inn
$456 for full program and lunch; $309 for commuters
More information about this retreat TBD!