Incarnation: An Ecofeminist Advent Retreat with Christine NG – G25110502
“What if beginning—
this beginning, any beginning, The Beginning—
does not lie back, like an origin,
but rather opens out?”
-Catherine Keller
The Christian calendar does not begin with January 1, nor even with the Christmas. Instead, the year begins with Advent, the roughly 4 weeks leading up to Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation, gestation, and reflection on what the Holy is birthing in us and our world.
This retreat will use a variety of practices to deepen connection with the Divine, with the earth, and with ourselves in order to discern how we are being invited to show up in the world at this time. This will be an active, participatory retreat using imagination, art, writing, movement, silence, and reflection. There will be time for individual meditation and sharing in community as we contemplate the biblical Advent scriptures, focusing on Mary and her kinswoman, Elizabeth, and look at incarnation—the Divine embodied in us and our world—more broadly.
Ecofeminism explores the intersection of the oppression of the environment and of women. It recognizes the interconnection of all in the human and more-than-human world. It utilizes a variety of ways of knowing, instead of relying solely on reason, and prioritizes the lived experience of those the dominant culture has marginalized such as women and people of color. It describes a worldview that is neither male nor human centered, is consistent with modern scientific understandings of the universe, but also looks beyond to acknowledge a spiritual realm which we can access for wisdom and support. It prioritizes active engagement to promote the healing of the world. What is beginning in us?
Instructor
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Christine NgChris is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, church pastor, chaplain, and spiritual director. She is on the faculty of Stillpoint: The Center for Christian Spirituality. She holds a Master of Divinity, Juris Doctor, and Bachelor of Arts degrees. She is a candidate for a Doctor of Ministry degree from Claremont School of Theology. In addition, she holds certificates in Spiritual Direction, Eco-Spiritual Direction, Community Storytelling, the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (19th Annotation), and is a certified InterPlay Leader, SoulCollage facilitator, and Affiliate of Amherst Writers and Artists. She has also studied and taught Tai Chi for more than 35 years. She lives in Northern New Mexico with her family.