We are thrilled to share with you that our Clergy Retreat for October 9-11, 2023 will be entitled "Icons of Christ" and will be an icon writing retreat led by Pastor Kris Graunke, formerly of the Calumet Episcopal Ministry Partnership. Pastor Kris recently moved to Tennessee but is happy to return to lead our iconography retreat. With the help of two other iconographers/artists, she will open for us the beautiful world of writing icons. Regardless of whether you are an experienced or first-time iconographer, I (Michelle) am here to attest that this retreat will be a blessed and holy time for you.
Pastor Kris has led many icon writing workshops in the Western Deanery, including one at St. Paul's in LaPorte, and she makes icon writing fun and approachable, creating lots of space for the Holy Spirit. I know that the parishioners at St. Paul's can attest to their incredulity at creating something they never would have believed they could have done. Group instruction, hands-on assistance, holy music, and lots of time for prayerful presence will be key components of our time together.
In order to write an entire icon in less than three days, it will be important that you are present for all of the sessions. Additionally, to ensure we have enough time we will need to begin early on Monday October 9th, at 2 p.m. Eastern. Please mark your calendars to arrive by 1 p.m. for check-in and to prepare yourself to begin icon writing. The entire retreat will be dedicated to our icons, with a closing Eucharist on Wednesday when the Bishop will bless the icons. This is truly a special offering - that will cost you nothing more than the normal retreat registration fee. I pray that you can set aside this holy time for yourself. (View the retreat schedule.)
You will have the choice between an icon of the Risen Christ or of the Tenderness of Christ (the one with the lamb). Each will be created on a 9x13 board for you to take with you at the end. Pictures are included and you don't need to determine which icon until the moment you pick up the tracing sheet to transfer the line drawing onto your board.
Again, we are thrilled to offer this holy opportunity and pray that you will make it a priority to join us. Even the non-artists in the St. Paul's group were amazed at their results. You will be too!