A Circle of Solidarity and Vision of Transformation
A first of its kind Weekend Retreat for CAC Donors, Leadership and Faculty
Registration Update: Thank you so much for your interest, but The Circle of Solidarity Retreat is at full capacity. If you would like to be added to a waitlist, please email Ben Keesey at [email protected]. Thank you!
Albuquerque, New Mexico
It is no secret when you look at the state of the world that business as usual is not going to cut it. We need to cross over from an era of isolation, exclusion, ecological exploitation, and violence to a new era of regeneration, reconsecration, and reconciliation. Our relationships with one another, with this beautiful planet, and with our own deepest selves must be reimagined – from the bottom up.
We believe that this Great Spiritual Turning includes each one of us playing our part, or as St. Francis is often quoted as saying, “doing what is yours to do.” It may sound counterintuitive, but in response to the urgency and accelerating realities in our world, we invite you to join us in slowing down and spending a weekend in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a time of deep reading, deep listening, deep reflection, deep interaction, and deep action.
Is this weekend retreat right for you?
The gathering is designed for people who are invested in the work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the future of the Christian Contemplative Movement. We aim to bring together a group of trusted donors and partners, who are applying their hearts, prayers, and financial resources to this work. You don’t need be a theologian, spiritual practitioner, or philanthropic leader to attend, but you need to feel an openness or calling to learn, build, and participate in this work with us. If you feel inspired to journey with a community of like-minded peers and go deeper into your experience of contemplative spirituality and partnership with the CAC, we would love for you to join us in Albuquerque for this unique experience.
The Program
The rhythm of this weekend is an experimental adaptation of our new Living School curriculum that is currently in development. The program and practices will be led by a variety of CAC teachers and leaders, including Fr. Richard if his health allows. You will take a break from the frenetic activity of daily life and to be guided towards being still – and settling into an experiential awareness of your oneness with God. When you sit in meditation, your breathing will naturally slow and create space for deep listening. You will be on this journey with other humble, caring, and invested friends of CAC. Throughout the weekend, you will learn about our theory of change and strategic plan for how we intend to impact the transformation of consciousness around the world. You will be invited into a deeper relationship of solidarity, trust, and support with the future of CAC.
Thirty five years after founding the CAC, Fr. Richard’s gradual transition from active leadership duties, alongside many of the changing realities of our world, prompted CAC to engage in a comprehensive strategic planning process. Continual innovation, creativity, and increased capacity are essential for CAC to increase our impact in the world as a gateway to the contemplative Christian path for future generations.
Does the event involve fundraising?
Yes, but not in the way you might be thinking. On Saturday afternoon, we will share our dream of creating a Circle of Solidarity – a group of people who are inspired to partner with CAC over the critical next four years of our growth, development, and expansion. This giving circle will help provide the funds needed to increase the depth, reach, and scale of our teaching through the expansion of our team, technology, faculty, partnerships, and innovation of our program methodology.
The invitation to join CAC’s Circle of Solidarity will not include any guilt, obligation, or coercion. After inviting you to join, we will guide you into a practice of discernment of whether this is aligned with your vision for your personal and philanthropic priorities. If it is, great! If not, that is great too! We believe strongly in honoring the primacy of your own path and “what is yours to do.” We aim to offer a fundraising invitation in the spirit of trust, relationship, freedom, discernment, and joy. If you would like to learn more about this, I’d love to share more about our intention and approach. Please reach out to me Ben Keesey via [email protected].
Practicalities
All you need to do is register for the retreat and book your flight to and from Albuquerque International Airport, and we will handle everything else. We intend for the weekend to be a break from the need to plan, organize, and navigate the logistics of life. We will be staying together in the newly constructed individual hermitages of the Norbertine Retreat Center about 20 minutes from CAC’s main campus. We have set the registration fee to cover all the costs for your experience, including transportation, lodging, meals, snacks, logistics, and all the curated program needs. You have the option to register as an individual in a private solo hermitage or register together with a spouse, partner, or friend to stay in a shared room together (either one queen or two individual twin beds).
We ask you to participate in the full program, which will require that you land by 3 pm on Thursday, April 4th, and fly out no earlier than noon on Sunday, April 7th. We can advise on places to stay if you want to come in early or stay after the retreat is over.
Core Details:
DATE: April 4th – 7th, 2024. The program begins at 4 pm on the 4th and ends at 11 am on the 7th
FEATURING: Richard Rohr, Brian McLaren, Michael Poffenberger, CAC Board, staff, and friends
LOCATION: Albuquerque, New Mexico
COST: Single registrant with private room $1,500, Two person registration with shared room $2,300
Questions? Email Ben Keesey at [email protected].
