Living an Authentic Life: 26 - 27 October 2024
Ever wondered what happens when the depth of Progressive Christianity meets the mindfulness of new-age somatic practices (that help you connect with your body and mind)? Now’s your chance to explore this transformative fusion!
Join us for a rejuvenating mini-retreat from 3:00 pm Saturday, October 26 to 1:00 pm Sunday, October 27, and immerse yourself in a weekend of spiritual growth, creativity, and inner peace.
Location: 7a Wrights Road, Drummoyne Community of Christ
Cost: 2 days - $85 or Saturday Dinner only $40 (NB. You now have the option of dinner only or two day event)
RSVP: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/9235986
What’s on the agenda?
Dinner and Keynote Address: Hear from Matt Frizzell, a renowned theologian and Human Resources professional, as he speaks on "Living An Authentic Life - What The Life Of Jesus Has To Teach Us".
Transpersonal Art Session: Unlock your creative expression and connect with deeper layers of your spiritual journey.
Tai Chi with Aaron Khor: Engage in Tai Chi, a gentle practice that blends movement and breath, helping you tune into your body to release stress and promote relaxation.
Small Wonder: A light-hearted group exercise where we create miniature art installations that form a micro story—bringing joy, imagination, and a touch of wonder to your retreat experience.
Somatic practices like Tai Chi encourage mindful movement, helping you become more aware of the connection between your body, emotions, and thoughts. This retreat invites you to experience how these practices can bring calm and clarity.
Location: 7a Wrights Road, Drummoyne Community of Christ
Cost: 2 days - $85 or Saturday Dinner only $40 (NB. You now have the option of dinner only or two day event)
RSVP: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/9235986
Come as you are, and leave inspired and refreshed in mind, body, and spirit!
Any questions please email abonnefin@cofchrist.com.au
Program:
Saturday
3:00pm Arrival, coffee and cake
3.20pm Welcome, Acknowledgment of the Land - Marshall Leaver
3:30pm – 5:00pm Meditation, Creativity, Authenticity and the Spirit (art expression):
- Anne Bonnefin and Roxanne Taylor
5:00pm – 6:30pm Creative Treasure Hunt (tiny art), refreshments
- Anne Bonnefin and Roxanne Taylor
6.30pm – 7:00pm Dinner Prep (decorate tables). Sunset at 7.20pm:
- Marshall Leaver, Janine Wood Taylor & Team
7:00pm – 9:30pm Dinner : Matt Frizell Keynote speaker (Living an authentic life) &
Live music - Daniel Jackson
Sunday
9:30am – 10:00am Gather + Coffee
10:00am – 11:00am Tai Chi with Aaron Khor
11:00am – 12:00am Matt Frizell workshop
12:00am – 12:30am Close and sharing time
12:30am - 1:30am Lunch
KEY NOTE ADDRESS - Saturday
MATT FRIZZELL is an experienced educator, administrator and minister. He currently leads a team of Human Resource professionals serving approximately 200 ministers across the USA. Previously he has been Dean of Community of Christ Seminary at Graceland University in Independence Missouri. Matt holds a Ph.D. in Theology, Ethics and Human Science, A Master of Theological Studies and a B.A. in Psychology cum laude.
Living An Authentic Life - What The Life Of Jesus Has To Teach Us. Many have turned away from religion and to spirituality in search of a more authentic life. While many leave their religious beliefs and institutions behind, others take their faith with them. Specifically, the stories, spiritual practices, and spiritual figures of their religious life inform their new spiritual journey. What might Jesus' life and tradition of witness around his teaching, death, and ministry have for us about finding authentic life?
WORKSHOP - Sunday
Christian Spiritual Practice in the Search for Authenticity. We will explore the role of spiritual practice in the search for authentic life with connections between body and incarnation, feeling and experience, spirit and presence.
WORKSHOP - Saturday - Anne Bonnefin & Roxanne Taylor
ANNE BONNEFIN holds an Advanced Diploma of Art Therapy, Diploma of Fine Art, Diploma of Counselling and is a qualified Meditation Facilitator. She currently works as Communications Coordinator at Community of Christ, Australia. Anne loves developing creative experiences that help people connect to wonder and their unique creative spirit; opening the way for people to access the spiritual dimension in the everyday.
Creativity - Where the Divine and the Human Meet
Using meditation, image, colour and word as tools we will explore the link between creativity, the Divine & wholeness. Allowing space to be curious we will inquire what lies within and take time to listen and connect with our authentic self. (An interactive workshop)
WORKSHOP - Saturday - Anne Bonnefin & Roxanne Taylor
Small Wonder - A light-hearted group exercise where we create minature art installations that form a micro story.
MASTER AARON KHOR is from the Australian Academy of Tai Chi, founded by Grandmaster Gary Khor in 1976. The Academy offers Tai Chi and Qigong in their teachings combined with traditional Chinese Medicine. Master Aaron Khor integrates both Western and Chinese Medicine with Biomechanics of the human Body to help gain the most benefit out of his Tai Chi sessions. Aaron completed his Health Science degree at the University of Western Sydney and Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University of Technology, Sydney. With his degree and martial arts background, Aaron is currently doing research on the biomechanics of human movements and medical applications for the ageing population of Australian citizens. Introducing the art of Tai Chi to the younger generation is one of his future goals as it teaches children about healthy and mindful living.
WORKSHOP - Sunday
At our WoW event, Aaron will work with everyone to help understand your body by feeling and moving in ways you may have never done before. Master Khor will give a one-hour session with an introduction to Tai Chi and Qigong by teaching movements and breathing techniques designed to reduce muscle tension, help you feel calm and at ease, improve posture, balance and circulation and assist with mental wellbeing.
Heart & Soul 25 Sept & 2nd October 2021
• click here for video of the full day 9:00am - 12:30pm or search below for video of specific presentations
• click here for video of full day two 9:00am - 12:30pm or search below for video of specific presentations
Nurturing our children’s emotional wellbeing
… Kari Sutton
Research has shown that children’s positive emotional wellbeing powerfully impacts later attitudes and behaviours, academic performance, career path, and adult health outcomes. This session will provide practical easy to implement strategies and ideas participants can immediately implement to support our children’s emotional wellbeing.
Topics being discussed • Teaching Emotional Intelligence • Recognising children’s strengths • Fostering Gratitude
• click here for Extra Reading
• click here for suggested Children Books
• or to view Kari’s presentation - View Here
Your Creative Soul
… Anne Bonnefin
Using meditation, image, colour and word as tools we will explore the link between creativity, spirituality & wholeness. Allowing space to be curious we will explore what lies within and take time to listen and connect with each other.
• Anne’s Presentation, Meditation & Art Practice - View Here
• Meditation & Art Practice - View Here
• Nozawa Onsen Meditation - View Here
How do you mend a broken heart? Exploring the heart mind connection
… Julie Anne Mitchell
Since 400 BC philosophers and anatomists have debated the significance of the heart. In this session I will provide a modern-day insight into how our emotions can affect the wellbeing of our heart. How strong is this link? What does current research say? And what tips might we adopt to better protect ourselves ? All this will be explored in a fun and interesting way.
• click here for Extra Reading
• or to view Julie Anne’s presentation - View Here
Day Two
Making the Sacred Welcome in Our Children’s Lives
… Kari Sutton
It is important to build a religious and spiritual foundation early in a child’s life. This session will provide practical easy to implement ideas participants can immediately implement to make the sacred and God welcome in our children’s lives on a daily basis.
• To view Kari’s Presentation - Link
• Presentation pdf - Link
• Click here for book recommendations and websites - Link
The Character of the Heart
… Glenda McDonald
Character of the heart invites participants to be open to Self, take a light-hearted glimpse into their heart space and create a personalised character, whilst exploring the potential for heart-felt resilience in these times.
Tove Jansson and the Moomin family
https://www.moomin.com/en/history/
Movie Trailer: Trove
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw_JrV8HYHE
Meet the Moomin Characters
• https://www.moomin.com/en/characters/
Bewitched Bath house clip
• to view Glenda’s presentation - View Here
Sound Bias and Healing
… Diana Chester
This workshop explores the power of listening, unpack how our brain hears sound, and consider how sound can be a source of healing and an element in combating bias. We then turn to sounds of Islam, and I talk about my journey visiting Muslim communities around the world for the purposes of listening and recording the Islamic Call to Prayer.
Joshua Bell - Washington post subway experiment.
• to view Diana’s presentation - View Here
Link to Lara Jane Stewart music and cards
https://www.lara-janestewart.com.au/music
https://www.lara-janestewart.com.au/product-page/i-am-affirmation-deck
Heart & Soul Merchandise: T shirts etc with monies to Indigo Foundation
