The Big Silence
A 4-Day Mostly Silent Retreat
January 13–16, 2025
July 20–23, 2025
www.TheBigSilence.org
Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day often feels like a sprint from one activity to the next until you stumble into the new year exhausted and in need of a big deep breath—physically and spiritually. Do you have a plan to recalibrate for 2025? Plan now to come to The Big Silence Retreat, January 13–16, 2025 at the beautiful St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, NC. Now in its 13th year, this retreat is co-led by two United Methodist pastors, one of them, Rev. Jonathan Brake, an active member of the UM Creation Justice Movement.
You are invited to experience big spaces of solitude and silence in community for the purpose of tending the inner fire of your soul. This 4-day, mostly silent retreat is grounded in Ruth Haley Barton’s Invitation to Solitude and Silence. We invite you to “come apart” for an immersive time with God.
As you enter into a new year, with unknown impacts of changes in our nation’s capital that will surely impact your ministry in care for all of life in God’s creation, this retreat clears a spiritual path for us consisting of three stepping stones:
Coming Apart (strategic withdrawal from life’s battles to be alone with God)
Surrender (“abandonment to divine providence” or “relinquishing control”); and
Discernment (recognizing and responding to the presence and activity of God).
Experience community and conversation as we prepare our hearts and minds to enter into The Big Silence.
Nurture trust as we seek to come apart with God before we fall apart from the world’s pressures.
Deepen our contemplative grounding through brief daily teachings/readings to help break through obstacles and surrender to the Spirit’s guidance.
Expand our capacity to listen to God through prayer, wisdom, presence, and silence.
Explore optional opportunities to connect with God in the spaciousness of silence: walking the labyrinth; soaking in the beauty of nature; the sacred art of mandalas; one-on-one and/or small group processing; iconographic images; and praying the Divine Hours in community—Morning, Midday, Vespers (evening), and Compline (before bed).
Receive rich and empowering resources for re-engaging the busyness of life with renewed strength, vitality, and clarity.
If January doesn’t work in your schedule, a mid-year opportunity awaits in July. For more information and to register, go to www.TheBigSilence.org or send an email to TheBigSilenceRetreat@gmail.com