Spirituality in the 21st Century at Prairiewoods

A Point of Divergence: Connecting the Dots, Reconnecting with God
7–9 p.m., Friday, April 8 & 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Saturday, April 9
Facilitators: Brother Barry Donaghue cfc and Sara Thomsen

Until relatively recently, our ancestors’ consciousness was imbued with nature. Their perception of “self” was revealed in and through nature: starry moonlit nights, caves of protection from the elements, hearth-fires around which they gathered for warmth and community, and animals and crops that provided food and clothing. Not so many decades ago, humans had little choice but to live sustainably.

Today, individualism and consumerism control our mentality, contributing significantly to the dilemma in which we now find ourselves. While our innovation and ingenuity dominate our worldview, they simultaneously strip us of “nature consciousness,” creating an epidemic of isolation and meaninglessness. Consequently, we are growing out of touch with God and the Incarnation and leading lives that are destroying Earth, the life-source whose health assures our own existence. What’s the reconnection prognosis? It’s filled with questions:

• Are we in the process of forcing change or inspiring transformation?
• What salvation awaits our attention, drawing us toward God and toward Earth stewardship?
• How do our present life conditions call us into action?
• How might we explore a practical spirituality that will liberate our human spirit? 

Spiritual awakening is neither some faraway dream, nor an overly complicated achievement; rather spiritual awakening is an ever-present reality that is always available in the here and now. This Spirituality in the 21st Century conference will frame the human story from its inception to present day in the accelerating evolution of consciousness. We will:

• trace our memetic code, a bio-psycho-social-spiritual blueprint that spreads throughout culture and informs story, art, lifestyle, community, etc.
• learn aspects of spirituality necessary for the 21st Century.
• discuss the need to develop and nurture new relationships with the Source of All Being, with Earth, with others, and with Self, in order to make the transformations necessary if we are to live truly fulfilling lives in the 21st Century.

Presentations by Brother Barry Donaghue cfc and Sara Thomsen will provide a context within which we can learn to bring our best efforts to bear on this collective transformation.

Brother Barry Donaghue cfc is Prairiewoods’ Director. He is an experienced retreat director with emphases on eco-spirituality and sustainability, entering into “second half of life” spirituality, Body-Mind-Spirit weekends, and labyrinth workshops. Brother Barry has studied and ministered in Australia, England, Ireland, France, Israel, and the Fiji Islands, as well as in the United States. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monash University; various graduate qualifications in Education, Religious Education, and Theology from universities in Australia and Ireland; and a Doctorate of Divinity degree from San Anselmo Theological Union in California.

Sara Thomsen is a weaver of song and community. Her performance style is full of humor and depth, capturing the audience’s full engagement. At concerts, conferences, classes, workshops, retreats, jails, places of prayer, and lines of protest, to be with Sara is to want to sing. Sara is an award-winning singer-songwriter, recording artist, and gifted song leader. She won the Minnesota Fold Festival’s New Fold Songwriting Contest in 2002 for her songs “Irene Marguerite” and “Keepin’ the Peace” from her CD By Breath (2003). Sara’s song “Is It for Freedom” has won top awards and is aired frequently on the Democracy Now! news program. This song and its impact have earned national and international recognition. For more information, visit www.sarathomsen.com.

Friday Evening, April 8
Christ in the Cosmos: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
The Key Mystery: A Point of Divergence

Saturday, April 9
Jesus and the Christ in the BIG and Little Picture
Finding a Context and a Practical Spirituality for the 21st Century
Creative Consciousness…
…The World of Soul

Location: Hallagan Education Center, Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids

Conference Fees:
$20 for Friday ONLY, includes Friday evening presentation
$45 for Saturday ONLY, includes Saturday presentation and lunch
$50 for FULL event, includes Friday evening and Saturday presentations and Saturday lunch (if registration is postmarked on or before Friday, March 18)
$65 for FULL event, includes Friday evening and Saturday presentations and Saturday lunch (if registration is postmarked between Saturday, March 19, and Monday, April 4)

The presentations throughout the event will build upon each other, but participants may attend one or both days as stand-alone events. Both events are open to the public. Reservations are encouraged as space is limited. 

Lodging: Limited Friday and/or Saturday evening lodging is available at Prairiewoods.
$50/night/single, includes continental breakfast
$70/night/double, includes continental breakfast 

You may register by requesting a registration form from Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or by downloading the PDF here. Mail the registration form with full payment to:
Prairiewoods
Attn: Spirituality in the 21st Century
120 E. Boyson Road
Hiawatha, IA 52233

Payment in full is required to confirm your registration.
Only reservations with completed registration forms and payment will be accepted. 

Cancellation Policy: $10 of each registration fee is nonrefundable. The remainder of the registration fee will be refunded if cancellation is made by Wednesday, April 6.

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center is the sole sponsor of this event.

For more information, contact Ann Jackson PBVM at 319-395-6700, ext. 203, or ajackson@prairiewoods.org.