From the 2010 A.R.E. Mid-Atlantic Region Retreat Team
"The Light of the New Millennium: Awakening to Your Higher Self"
For the 35th mid-Atlantic retreat, the tenth at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va., Judith presented an engaging mix of lecture, small-group exercises, breathing exercises, brain wave demonstrations, chanting, and meditations, sometimes accompanied by her beautiful voice and zither, to demonstrate the changing consciousness of our new millennium and how that change is impacting each of us. Many of Judith's techniques and ideas were new to our retreat. Judith even sent each participant home not just with an array of pertinent handouts but also a CD, Heart of Meditation: Orange Trees by the Ocean, a guided meditation.
In her presentations of "This Wacky New Millennium," "The Light of Consciousness," Awakening to Your Higher Self," and "Surfing the Waves of Change," Judith, echoing several recent retreat speakers, melded science and spirit, and wide-ranging content and techniques, to show us how to avoid the "ruts" of our spiritual journey on earth for the "road" and, every once in a wonderful while, the "aerie" of higher consciousness.
Retreat participants in their evaluations, along with many kudos on her presentation overall, gave Judith high marks for her "approachability," and participation in other retreat activities. Saturday night's sing-a-long, again led by Sarah Soltow with her guitar and retreat team member Saundra Moreland, was well attended and well received again this year. With a larger selection of songs-too many for the hour allotted- participants wanted to sing all the way through. Jay Hurley added the dulcet notes of his dulcimer to the musical accompaniment, and Judith her beautiful alto voice.
Other offerings this year included an early morning walk Saturday across the bridge over the Potomac to the
Thanks are due to the retreat team, which this year included Christine Duewel, Saundra Moreland, Peter and Sharon Morris, Sherri Olaguez, team leader Sandi Roberts, and Jan and Ernie Wetterer. Sandi did a great deal of the planning for this year's retreat. Special thanks to her. She and the rest of the team welcome more participation in retreat planning for 2011.
Thanks also to our capable support team at Shepherd and their staffs: Don Rohel, Student Center director, Jack Shaw, dining services director, Michelle Liefke, catering manager, Lillian Hash, Student Center building coordinator, Elisa Woodbrey, associate director of residence life, Eric Morris, residence coordinator, Donna Shipley, facilities custodial coordinator, and Richard McDonald, lead custodial and event services coordinator.
Saturday evening, after a brief downpour that delayed some participants from getting to the sing-a-long, we saw a huge and vivid double rainbow outside the room where we were gathered, demonstrating the colors of our chakras about which Judith had instructed us. A nice synchronicity, one of many, that blessed our 2010 retreat. Hope to see you in 2011.
