PC(USA) - Ideas! For Church Leaders - Sabbaticals and Conference Centers

ideas! for Church Leaders: Vol.5 issue Four Summer 2006: Teach the righteous and they will gain in learning. (Proverbs 9:9b)


	Sabbaticals and Conference Centers Fit Together

	You may be planning a sabbatical or study leave. Perhaps you are coordinating a workshop, conference, or staff retreat. Lucky you! The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offers national and regional conference centers to fit your needs. Your national centers will be pleased to serve you: Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu and Santa Fe, New Mexico; Montreat in North Carolina; and Stony Point in New York. For example, Ghost Ranch is equipping itself for various forms of continuing education and growth experiences—just for you.

			On May 3, 2006, Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu will realize a dream with the opening of Casa del Sol (Home of the Sun) as a spirituality center—a wonderful, contemplative space in the high desert. The Rev. Dr. J. Philip Newell of Edinburgh, Scotland, has agreed to join this dream by becoming the spiritual advisor to the community of Casa del Sol. He will teach and lead retreats four times during 2006 and will be in residence with his family during the month of July to participate in the official launch of the community of Casa del Sol.

	A generous gift from Rob and Lyn Houck of Houston, Texas, has allowed the hacienda to be renovated and restored, and an advisory team has been meeting to envision everything from furniture and budget to programs and potential visitors. In July 2005, Philip and Alison Newell joined this process by leading worship every day at the ranch and holding evening conversations around the fire at Casa del Sol. They helped planners listen to their own spiritual yearnings and envision how this retreat center could reach those desires. The Casa del Sol spirituality center will be available for individual, silent, and/or guided retreats or sabbaticals, and also for small group retreats.

	Ghost Ranch offers other forms of sabbatical support. The Santa Fe site opens the rich resources of Santa Fe for learning and refreshment. At the Abiquiu site one can experience the outstanding library. The desert itself becomes a spiritual learning environment. In addition, both Ghost Ranch locations offer a variety of week-long classes throughout the year that can be integrated into a sabbatical plan.

	Your conference centers encourage you to think about them as you plan your study leave and sabbatical. Visit these web sites for more information about Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu and in Santa Fe, Stony Point Center, or Montreat Conference Center.

	Rob Craig is executive director of Ghost Ranch.



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