Retreat Weekend: Dancing with the Beloved
16:00 Friday 16 September 2011 to 14:00 Sunday 18 September 2011
Purley Chase Centre, Warwickshire
The Lord invites us to be his Bride. How often do we recognise this? We are used to calling God ‘Our Father’ and thinking of ourselves as his children. We think of him as our Creator, the source of our life and love. We think of our Lord Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and Saviour – but as our Beloved, our Bridegroom, Husband? Such an intimate relationship! And how does the Beloved see me? His Bride?
We shall explore this relationship with the Divine through dance and with reference to the Bible. Moments of prayer and reflection will deepen our understanding and experience. Solomon’s Song of Songs and the Book of Revelation chapter 21 will form a biblical focus.
My dove in the clefts of the rock. . .
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your sweet voice,
and your face is lovely. (Solomon’s Song of Songs 2.14)
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. (Revelation 21.2)
The dance will be mainly circle dances, both folk dances and modern choreographies to variety of music.
There will be free time to walk in the beautiful grounds and the surrounding countryside or to rest and relax.
Who is the weekend for?
•All who love dancing and wish to express their love for their Lord with their whole self – body, mind and spirit – through movement and dance
•For those who wish to deepen their relationship with the Divine through dance and prayerful reflection
About The Leaders
Mary Duckworth loves leading people to the Lord especially through dance and movement. Her inspiration is God’s Word revealed in the Holy Bible, and its inner meaning revealed through Swedenborg. She is a New Church minister, mother and grandmother and leads a monthly Circle Dance Group.
Rita Russell has been circle dancing for over twenty-five years and co-leading dance weekends since 1995. Her dance repertoire is extensive, having danced with teachers from around the world. She uses her musical gifts and skills as a teacher to encourage others to experience the spirituality and power of the sacred dances.
Event Host: Gwendolen Rowe
