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!
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.
The Enneagram for Spiritual Seekers
Sunday, June 2 - Tuesday, June 4
Women Writers Workshop II
Thursday, June 6 - Sunday, June 9
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.
Women Writers Workshop III
Thursday, October 10 - Sunday, October 13
Seasons of the Spirit: Autumn
Friday, October 18, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Drawing (Badly) as a Spiritual Practice
Friday, November 15, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Centering Prayer Retreat: Deepening the Silence
Sunday – Sunday, December 1 - 8
A Short Advent Retreat
Friday, December 7, 10:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
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.
Women Writers Workshop II
Thursday, June 6 - Sunday, June 9
Katerina Whitley
$308 Full Program (per Weekend); $191 Commuter Rate; $68/Day
Lodging in the Mission House
Writing is often a lonely pursuit. You may find that it's much easier to write in the company of like-minded people and with the guidance of a professional who loves to encourage others in the craft of writing. Join this group of women writers to capture memories, define thoughts, express emotions, bring order out of chaos. New writers are most welcome, for one or more workshops.
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.
Register securely online for the June Women Writers Workshop here.
Praying En Pleine Air: An Art & Spirituality Workshop
Friday, June 14, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Facilitated by Mike Newton-Ward
$52 Program (art supplies provided, but feel free to bring your own)
$45 more (total $97) to add lodging Thursday night
Join Mike Newton-Ward as we explore drawing what God’s vision is for you. Practice seeing deeply, and then drawing - and drawing as a playful co-creation with God. We will use techniques such as Zentangles - a centering, meditative practice. Explore the grounds of Valle Crucis and capture the wonder of nature through art.
Mike Newton-Ward has thoroughly enjoyed tapping into his creative self since retirement from social marketing management for the State of NC Department of Health & Human Services. He began taking various classes through Raleigh Parks and Rec, as well as playing on his own. He enjoys drawing in numerous media, metal work, art history, and block printing.
Register safely and securely for the Outside Art workshop here.
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); $124 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.
Chad Hallyburton is a student, teacher, and practitioner of yoga from Cullowhee, NC. His passion is bringing people together to explore their own physical, mental, and spiritual strengths and frailties in the context of community.
www.centeringyoganc.com
Register safely and securely online for Unbinding the Heart Mountain Yoga Retreat here.
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
Summer is a season of fruitfulness, clarity, and vitality. We discover that our spiritual life may feel productive and fulfilling as the light streams in and we respond with hopefulness.During our time together, we will explore the spiritual summer that we experience in life. It is possible that our spirits feel lighter and more grateful as we sense the energy of productivity and fullness.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.
Register safely and securely online for Seasons of the Spirit: Summer here.
Thursday, October 10 - Sunday, October 13
Katerina Whitley
$308 Full Program (per Weekend); $191 Commuter Rate; $68/Day
Lodging in the Mission House
Writing is often a lonely pursuit. You may find that it's much easier to write in the company of like-minded people and with the guidance of a professional who loves to encourage others in the craft of writing. Join this group of women writers to capture memories, define thoughts, express emotions, bring order out of chaos. New writers are most welcome, for one or more workshops.
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.
Register safely and securely for Women Writers III here.
Seasons of the Spirit: Autumn
Friday, October 18, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Reverend Rebecca Husband-Maynard
$46 Program; $45 more (total $91) to add lodging Thursday night
Autumn is a season of surrender, accepting that all things are passing. We seek the beauty in that truth as we gather the fruits of summer with gratitude into our spiritual barns. During our time together, we will explore the spiritual autumn that we experience in life. Perhaps you are sensing spiritual transformation, or a time of “letting go.”
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.
Register safely and securely for Seasons of the Spirit: Autumn here.
Drawing (Badly) as a Spiritual Practice
Friday, November 15, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Reverend Joshua Bowron
$52 Program (art supplies provided, but feel free to bring your own); $45 more (total $97) to add lodging Thursday night
Join this exciting workshop to learn how to engage scripture and other Christian literature in a new and refreshing way. Drawing (wink) on the practices of both Lectio divina and good old-fashioned cartooning, the Reverend Josh Bowron will show how we can prayerfully move deeply into texts to reveal their riches. No art experience is required; the complete novice may even have an advantage!
All materials will be supplied, but feel free to bring whatever it is you like to use, especially journals, pens, etc.
Register safely and securely for Drawing Badly here.
Centering Prayer Retreat: Deepening the Silence
Sunday – Sunday, December 1 - 8
Becky Hannah, Joan Ricci Thome, & the Reverend Bob Cook
$619 Full Program
Accommodations in the Inn
This retreat is for those who would like a more prolonged experience of centering prayer and who are interested in entering into the more profound levels of spiritual practice in an atmosphere of silence, solitude, and community.
Centering prayer is a silent form of prayer with ancient roots in the mystical and monastic tradition. The retreat will help participants develop and sustain a regular centering prayer practice. In addition to several centering prayer periods offered daily, you will also have opportunities for contemplative worship, individual meetings with retreat leaders, walks and hiking, labyrinth walks, and time for solitude and reflection.
Retreat leaders are Becky Hannah, co-coordinator of Contemplative Outreach of Western NC, and Joan Ricci Thome, presenter of contemplative prayer retreats at the Oratory and St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, NC. The Rev. Robert Cook, Vicar of Christ Church, Walnut Grove, NC is spiritual director for the week. Joan and Becky have both been trained to facilitate centering prayer by Contemplative Outreach, the organization founded by Father Thomas Keating as a spiritual network committed to living the contemplative dimension of the gospel in everyday life.
Due to the length of this retreat, each participant should have an established practice of centering prayer for at least a year. This retreat is limited to the first 20 registrants. Participants must stay on campus and plan to attend the entire retreat.
Register safely and securely for the Advanced Centering Prayer retreat here.
A Short Advent Retreat
Friday, December 7, 10:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
Katerina Whitley
$52 includes lunch and book to take home
$45 more (total $97) to add lodging Thursday night
What comes to your mind when you think of Advent? Can you stop worrying about decorating and gift buying to concentrate on the Coming of the Christ Child? Every year, people of faith long for something different, spiritual and holy, to prepare them fully for a Christmas to remember.
Katerina Whitley will focus and refine this longing. The world waited for this “central event in the history of creation,” as C.S. Lewis called it. We will examine this waiting through writings, poetry, the prophets, the Birth Narratives, and our own hopes and desires for peace and joy.
Katerina is well-known in the Diocese of Western NC and beyond. She is the author of several books, including two about Advent, and a writer of Advent Chancel dramas and plays.