Spring Retreat Weekend: Exploring the Pilgrimage of Life

The Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook, Retreat Leader

For a printable schedule of this weekend’s activities, click here.

St. Philip’s In The Hills Episcopal Church and Temple Emanu-El join to offer a special Spring Retreat Weekend entitled “Exploring the Pilgrimage of Life” on Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22. The Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook will lead this weekend for growth, renewal, and community building. Pilgrimage is both an ancient and modern spiritual practice for Christian and Jews, calling each pilgrim to a deeper awareness of life, God, and community. This life-changing spiritual practice lies deep in the heart of many cultures and nearly every major religion of the world. Explore the pilgrimage of your life through this unique interfaith opportunity. The weekend includes opportunities for shared worship, shared meals, and teachings by the Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook.

Friday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.: We will gather for the Shabbat service at Temple Emanu-El, with the Rev. Dr. Sheryl-Kujawa-Holbrook offering reflections on the Torah portion from the bimah to open our weekend together.

Saturday, March 21, 8:30 a.m.: The day begins with breakfast at St. Philip’s, followed at 9 by the morning talk, entitled “The Way of the Heart.” We will explore the archetypal senses of pilgrims and pilgrimage. It is through our hearts that we experience divine love and renewal.

Saturday, March 21, 12:00 noon: We will continue with a vegetarian potluck lunch at Temple-Emanu-El and the Rabbi’s Tish with the Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook. Bring a dairy or vegetarian dish to share. The afternoon teaching, “The Journey Home,” explores belonging, pilgrimage, and the journey home. Integral to pilgrimage is the journey home and the pilgrims’ need to integrate the life they have lived with new insights gained as they return as changed persons.

Sunday, March 22, 7:45, 9, or 11:15 a.m.: At all three morning services at St. Philip’s, the Rev. Dr. Sheryl-Kujawa-Holbrook will offer reflections on where we go from here as pilgrims and community partners.

Our retreat leader, the Rev. Dr. Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook, is vice president of academic affairs and dean of the faculty, and professor of practical theology and religious education at Claremont School of Theology, and professor of Anglican Studies at Bloy House, the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont. She is an Episcopal priest of the diocese of Los Angeles and was the national youth officer for the Episcopal Church for ten years. She is widely published, with a special interest in the intersection of spirituality with social justice and interreligious education. Having spent the last 25 years focused on the movement toward anti-racist multiculturalism in faith communities, Kujawa-Holbrook hopes to expand that work to include greater participation in the interreligious movement.

Suggested retreat donation of $25.00 helps underwrite this event. Scholarship assistance is available. Childcare will be provided. To register and reserve your place for this transformative weekend, contact the Rev. Greg Foraker at St. Philip’s or Rabbi Batsheva Appel at Temple Emanu-El.

St. Philip’s is located at 4440 N. Campbell Avenue at River Road. The office phone number is 299-6421. Temple Emanu-El is located at 225 North Country Club Road. The office phone is 327-4501.