Rosie Huart

Confirmed dates for 2011 Connecting Art & Spirit Retreat at Maria Stein.  The dates are May 13, 14 and 15, 2011.

Connecting Art & Spirit

an art workshop and retreat

Maria Stein Spiritual Center

Maria Stein, Ohio

April 30-May 2, 2010

The theme of grace was the weekend's creativity practice as we explored

the creative expression of grace through visual art.  Participants each had a blank

book in which to incorporate text and images.  The Book of Grace is a derivative

of the Book of Hours.  I directed the participants through meditation, reflection,

creative writing, painting and sharing.  It truly was a weekend filled with grace.

As a result, next year's connecting art and spirituality retreat is in the making.

Book of Hours

I made a copy of this book for each participant.  It is a

reminder of the hours in a day and a time to offer silent prayers. 

Permission was granted for printing by www.gratefulness.org. 

An example in the Book of Hours is Vigils:  The Night Watch—

before the day's noises begin, when it is still perfectly quiet.  "In the stillness

before my day begins, I open my heart to the gift of this hour; gratefully

I listen to the silence."

The prayers in the Book of Hours are:

Vigils: The Night Watch

Lauds: Coming of the Light

Prime:  A Deliberate Beginning

Terce:  The Joy of Living

Sext:  Commitment and Fervor

None:  The Shadows Lengthen

Vespers:  Lighting the Lamps

Compline:  Completing the Circle

Book of Grace

All participants on the retreat received a blank book. 

They each redesigned the cover and created

text and images pertaining to grace for their pages.

Sacred Path

book page

Definition of Grace

book page

Hour of Vespers

book page

book/page

Prayer beads were made from fabric, beads and waxed linen thread along with our own personal projects.  Throughout the weekend we gathered around a beautiful plant garden to share thoughts and ideas that stirred our spirit. There is a labyrith on the property, beautiful gardens and running water over a rock garden.