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| 1680 - 373rd Avenue NE, Stanchfield, MN 55080
| 763-689-3540 (located 8 miles northwest of Cambridge, MN) |
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November 2003 Newsletter A Fond Farewell ARC Ecumenical Retreat Community NEWSLETTER November 2003 VOL. XXIIl NO. 4 I was recently driving down the middle lane of a Twin Cities freeway. On one side of me was a car with a bumper sticker asking, “Who Would Jesus Bomb?” On the other side was a car with a sticker that said, “Have Gun, Will Vote.” I thought to myself, “Yep, this is my world!” In fact, it’s everyone’s world and we all have to somehow live in the tension of such conflicting values. ARC is a place where values are important. We are clear about wanting to witness to some values that are very different from the dominant culture. We name some of these in our mission statement which says that ARC tries to model and encourage a commitment to the following: · balancing Action, Reflection, Celebration · working for peace and justice in the world · caring for the environment and living simply · connecting times of retreat to daily life so that the journey inward inspires the journey outward · being joyful, simple, merciful (the words on the ARC cornerstone) I am nearing the end of my sojourn at ARC-- a journey of almost twelve years. As you may know, the ARC Board of Directors decided to move from two co-directors to one director and has been in a search process for some months. I had applied for this position but recently decided not to interview. It was a difficult decision to reach but feels right…it’s time to move on. I look forward to moving to the Twin Cities and working in some other non-profit or church related ministry. Consequently, I find myself wondering what I will take with me from this place and what the transition back to the “dominant culture” will be like; hence, the reflection on values. Robert Kohls, Director of the Washington International Center, has identified thirteen values which Americans live by. They are: personal control over the environment, change, time and its control, equality/egalitarianism, individualism and privacy, self-help, competition and free enterprise, future orientation, action/work orientation, informality, directness, openness and honesty, practicality and efficiency, and materialism/acquisitiveness. Although it might not be readily apparent, these values all have positive and negative aspects. For example, the value of competition may not look too positive next to the value of cooperation held by many other cultures, but it can be asserted that competition challenges each person to produce the very best that is humanly possible. Individualism may be contrasted with the value of the group’s welfare, but freedom and uniqueness may be lost when the focus is only on what’s best for the majority. Plus, who decides? Clearly, each value could be analyzed and debated. And this list of values, which at least most Americans live by, may be very different from the values which many of us wish we’d live by. This is true at ARC as well…we don’t always live up to all our stated values.-- Just today a meat vender stopped by. He wanted to sell us some steaks and we explained that we try to eat low on the food chain. He wondered what our Weber grill was for. Uh-oh! We didn’t buy steaks but did have to confess that the occasional brat has gone on the grill along with the veggie burgers. Perhaps the most important thing is to live consciously and intentionally, to recognize unspoken values, work to change them as needed, and try to live up to those we aspire to. It’s also essential to recognize our humanness, to forgive ourselves and one another as needed. We often do a reading at the close of the noon meal at ARC in keeping with the monastic tradition. A fall favorite is Lessons from the Geese by Milton Olsen from which I’d like to share a bit.— As each bird flaps it’s wings, it creates an uplift for the bird following. Flying in a ‘V’ formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if a bird flew alone. Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community [values?], can get where they’re going quicker and easier, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Lesson: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging. One last value I’d like to mention is gratitude. Although it may still be some months before I leave ARC (either when I get another position or a new person is on board), I don’t want to pass by this opportunity to thank so many of you for your “encouraging honking” over the years. I have felt so privileged to be a part of this ministry and to get to know each community member with whom I’ve lived and worked, hundreds of wonderful guests seeking rest and renewal on their journeys, and ARC’s very dedicated volunteers and board members. I will continue to be encouraged on my way, as I hope are each of you, by the knowledge that ARC is here and is seeking to live out some alternative values; and, as the mission statement also says, welcoming guests into the sanctuary of the woods where nature nourishes the soul. -- Katherine Dutton +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Did you know that five members of the Walton family, which founded and owns Wal-Mart, are among the richest 15 people in the world, yet Wal-Mart workers in China make as little as $.13 cents an hour? Additionally, although Wal-Mart is the world’s largest employer of women, less than 15% of managerial positions are held by women. Women do, however, hold 90% of the cashier jobs and earn an average of $13,800 per year. Only two of every five cashiers are able to afford health insurance under Wal-Mart’s plan and 50% are eligible for food stamps. Consider expressing your concerns about this in a letter to: President H. Lee Scott, Jr. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 702 SW 8th St. Bentonville, AR 72716 You also may be interested in the books, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich and How Wal-Mart is Destroying America (and the World) and What You Can Do About It by Bill Quinn. Sorrows and Rejoicings We were saddened this fall by the death of former community member Carolyn Holmberg due to complications from a brain tumor. And we rejoice with former community members Kay Wold on her ordination and Amy Severson on her marriage. Annual Community Retreat In early September, the community spent a few days in the farmland and restored prairie grass-lands of Windom, MN at Shalom Hill Farm. This rural ministry education site and retreat center was co-founded by Margaret and Mark Yackel-Juleen. Our arrival was timely as we got to see new lambs, born out of season. Also, it happened to be the week of monarch butterfly migration where thousands of butterflies inhabit a grove of trees on the property. As a community we worshipped, shared our life stories, and discussed ways to improve our commitment to the mission of ARC. We also had time to rest as well as learn more about Shalom Hill. They intentionally advocate and care for creation as is evident from the ecologically friendly construction of their main building, their use of locally grown foods, and several education efforts. Overall, we exchanged retreat center wisdom, enjoyed the hospitality, and ate well! -- Tracy Vicory Please join us for the Annual ARC Benefit Event Sat., Nov. 8, 2003, 7:30 p.m. Joan of Arc Church, Mpls. A Concert once again featuring the wonderful vocal and instrumental music of Hope Rising and a Silent Auction including handcrafted items, gift certificates, art work, books, CD’s, and lots of other great stuff! A Time to Go Home 7 pm Fri-early aft. Sun, Nov. 21-23 The renewal of American society requires the re-rooting of our lives, sending our roots deep into the soil of our faith and our family history for the sake of building healthy neighborhoods. Three aspects of going home will be explored: going home for God's sake, going home for one's own sake, going home for the sake of others. Led by Ruth and Loren Halvorson, ARC founders Cost: $155 Expectancy: The Wisdom of Silence/The Silence of Wisdom 7 pm Fri-Sun aft., Dec. 12-14 In this Silent Advent Retreat, we will contemplate the following questions together in the exquisite silence of the ARC setting.-- What is Wisdom?, Who is Sophia?, What can one expect from the Silence?, How does one enter the Silence?, How does one birth one’s inner wisdom in the Silence? Led by Debra Ricci & Tracy Vicory, ARC Community Members Cost: $155 Annual New Year’s Eve Retreat 7 pm Weds-Thurs aft., Dec. 31-Jan. 1 An alternative celebration in a contemplative setting including an evening snack buffet extravaganza, a midnight worship, and a blessing of clocks and calendars for the year ahead. Guests can sleep in on New Year’s Day and the retreat concludes w/ a late morning brunch. Participants are welcome to stay into the afternoon to ski, snowshoe, or enjoy sitting by the fireplace. Led by the ARC Community Cost: $75 Heart, Hearth and Hope: Sharing Life at a Deeper Level 7 pm Fri-Sun aft., Feb. 13-15 Living together involves both grace and space. This retreat for couples provides an opportunity to explore with your life partner what it means to deepen your relationship. It will be a weekend of listening, reflection, group sharing, worship and re-visioning in the quiet, restorative solitude of ARC. Led by Ruth and Loren Halvorson, ARC founders Cost: $155 Bread Baking Retreat 4 pm Sat-4 pm Sun, Jan 17-18 Do you love the smell and taste of fresh baked bread? Here’s your chance to learn how to bring that smell to your home! Adults, youth, and children as young as 8 are welcome. Monday is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday so consider staying an extra night for some personal retreat time, too. Led by Jerome Belanger, ARC Bread Baker Cost (includes ingredients): $90 adults, $80-youth ages 13-18, $70-children, ages 8-12 The Heart & Art of Compassion: Love, Laughter & Open-Hearted Living 10 am Sat-Sun aft., Feb. 28-29 This retreat will focus on compassion for ourselves as well as others by using a variety of methods for meditation, quiet self-reflection, group exercise and sharing. Participants will reflect on these questions: How does “this” affect me?, What is my purpose in life?, How do I best serve others? Bring a journal, your pain, your sense of humor, and your willingness for another look at life’s questions. Led by Dr. Pat Casello, Holistic Practitioner, Author Cost: $135 (includes book) Some scholarship assistance is available for ARC-sponsored and private retreats. If needed, please ask at the time of registration. Private Retreats Individuals are always welcome at ARC for a time of personal retreat. This can be for any length of stay as space is available. Rooms are private. Guests may enjoy resting, reading, snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing in the woods, and sitting by the fireplace. The hermitage, a single-person dwelling in the woods, lends itself to a more solitary retreat. It is a bright, lofty room with a kitchenette and screened-in porch. Also called Poustinia, which means ’desert space,’ it is a place where one may enter into the emptiness of isolation and silence to be encountered by God. The cottage is a cozy but luxurious cabin available to individuals, couples, or small groups. It has a full kitchen, bedroom, bath, large loft, deck, and a living room with a gas fireplace and an A-frame window wall. Put a Retreat under the Christmas Tree! Looking for an alternative gift for someone? How about a gift certificate for a retreat at ARC? You get to support one of your favorite places and give someone a gift you know they’ll love. Gift certificates are available for any length of stay such as a 9am-4pm weekday retreat for $20 or a 24-hr. weekend retreat in the main lodge or hermitage for $75. Write or call ARC to make arrangements: arcretreat@hotmail.com, 763/689-3540. Words of Encouragement from a “Hermit” My wife gave me this gift [a hermitage retreat] at Christmas, so all of you women who visit here consider doing likewise for your spouse/partner/ lover. This is the best gift I’ve ever received-- from time to read, reflect and pray, go snow shoeing and deer-watching to the profound silence out here, every minute has been wonderful. Even the sub-zero midnight trips to the outhouse were tolerable! RESPONSE FORM Mail to: ARC Retreat Center, 1680-373rd Ave. NE, Stanchfield, MN 55080 Name(s): ______________________________________________Phone: (____) _____________ Street Address: __________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________ State: __________ Zip: ___________________ Special Needs (diet, accessibility, etc.): _______________________________________________ PLEASE CHECK APPROPRIATE ITEMS: ___ I am registering for the following retreat(s): _______________________________________ __________________ ___________________ Retreat Title Retreat Date Deposit Enclosed ($35 per person per night, nonrefundable) ___ I am contributing to the ARC retreat ministry with a gift of $___________. (in honor or in memory of a loved one _______________________________________________ ) ___ I am moving. My new address is above. (All gifts are tax deductible.) ___ I would like a Gift Certificate. Please include name of recipient, address (if you’d like it sent directly) and payment. Rates are on the back page. ___ I would like to volunteer ___ for a day, ___ a weekend, ___ longer. A Unique Volunteer Opportunity: Ever wonder what it would be like to live in community at ARC? Give it a try as a short-term volunteer! We continue to seek volunteers willing to make commitments of one to six months to help us in our ministry of hospitality. We offer room, board and a modest stipend (if needed), as well as the chance to experience community life. We could also use volunteers able to make a half-day or day long regular, on-going commitment to ARC on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis . We have a particular need for help with cooking, housekeeping and outdoor work. If you have an interest in either of these types of volunteer positions, please call us at 763/689-3540 or e-mail arcretreat@hotmail.com. THANKS! Also Wanted: A Few Good Board Members Each year we have some turn-over on the ARC Board of Directors so we’re always look- ing for new faces. Board members serve three year terms with the new ones beginning in January of 2004. There are fifteen members of the Board and we try, as much as possible, to have a balance of gender, denominations, gifts, professions, etc. The Board meets once a month with members taking turns hosting the meetings in their homes (in the Twin Cities or Cambridge area). The primary purpose of the Board is to uphold and enable ARC’s mission. Although the ARC Board is similar in function to other non-profit boards, members have said it is unique in terms of the way we do business and the connections made between people. If you’re interested in being an ARC Board member or would like to suggest someone else, please contact current Board chair, Casey vanderBent, at 651/436-2919 or cvjrny@aol.com. Developing a Heart that Yearns for Justice: A Clergy-Church Workers Ecumenical Seminar Tijuana, Mexico, Jan. 26-29, 2004 A unique continuing education opportunity in a developing country to discuss issues of poverty, immigration, globalization, peace-making and justice as they relate to the teachings of Jesus. Sponsors include various border ministries, peace and justice agencies, global mission and service groups and leaders of Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Episcopalian, Methodist and other denominations. For more info. or to register contact Rev. George S. Johnson, Director of Third World Opportunities: 760/471-7652, severinelaine@aol.com. large pottery tea pot bat houses dehumidifiers white/colored copier paper cut firewood bird seed & suet cakes large stove top tea kettle any size pottery soup tureen hand held gas powered weed whacker/brush cutter long-handled shovels metal tooth tine rake new or very gently used twin bed white sheets (flat or fitted) & pillow cases The New ARC Cookbook Okay, we know we’ve been saying this for quite sometime, but the new cookbook really is coming soon. We hoped it would be available in time for Christmas, but, alas...it’s been a bigger project than we realized and, when time is short, we figured our guests would rather eat while there here than get a book of recipes. But, to tide you over, we’re including two popular recipes in this newsletter as a preview of what’s to come. Enjoy! 1 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds 3 cups seeded, peeled and cubed winter squash 2 tsp. dried leaf oregano 3-4 cups water, juice from tomatoes or 3 tsp. sesame seeds vegetable stock, heated 1 oz. whole almonds 1/2 cauliflower, broken into florets 3-4 tsp. chili powder 1 14.5 oz. can white corn 2 tsp. corn oil, 2 yellow onions, 2 lbs. tomatoes, pureed cut into 1/4 inch chunks 1 cup fresh or frozen peas 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 tsp. chopped cilantro 1 tsp. salt sour cream for topping 6-8 oz. mushrooms, quartered sprigs of cilantro for garnish Toast cumin seeds, sesame seeds and almonds at 300; add oregano for final minutes. Blend in food processor to a fine meal. Heat oil in a large pot. Add onions and garlic and sauté over medium heat. Add squash, mushrooms, salt, and 3 cups liquid. Bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover, and cook slowly for 20 min. until squash is tender. If mixture gets too dry, add more liquid. Add ground nuts, spices and seeds, cauliflower, corn, tomatoes, and chili powder. Taste and adjust spices. Continue cooking until cauliflower is tender. Add peas and cilantro; let stew for a few more minutes. Serve with sour cream and cilantro sprigs. 2 c. sugar 1/2 cup warm coffee 1 c. shortening “ apple juice 2 eggs (or one cup of either) 3 c. flour 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. soda 4 c. chopped apples Cream sugar, shortening and eggs. Add rest of ingredients and mix well. Pour into greased and floured 9 x 13” pan. Top with 1 c. brown sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 cup chopped nuts. Bake at 350 for 40-45 min. Next time you visit you may notice a new little building on the property by the garage. No, it’s not a new hermitage, although it’s almost that big! It’s our outdoor wood burning furnace. This is now our primary source of heat for the main lodge. It is much more efficient, safe, economical (in the long run), and far less labor intensive than the former system. We are still seeking contributions for the new furnace but we don’t want them to detract from other gifts people may make which are needed for our operating expenses. If you would like to make a special gift to this project you may send it to ARC marked, “Furnace Fund.” Thank you. RETREATS To arrange a group or private retreat, call 763/689-3540. Office hours: 9 am to 5 pm e-mail: arcretreat@hotmail.com Web-site: www.arcretreat.org COSTS 24-Hr Retreat (Sun-Thurs)...........................................$70 24-Hr Retreat (Fri/Sat).................................................$75 Weekend Retreat (Fri eve-Sun aft).............................$145 Day Retreat (9-4)................$20 Weekdays, $25 Weekends ARC-Led Weekend....................................................$155 Hermitage (24 hrs)..............$70 Weekdays, $75 Weekends Cottage..............................................Call/e-mail for rates Rates are slightly higher for profit-making organizations. Our culture has lost touch with the soul and with any way to meet it.. It becomes more difficult all the time simply to be quiet: mobile phones, faxes, and E-mail make us more accessible to the intrusion of information. Being reflective may soon seem a radical act. Without being reflective, without entering into moments of silence, we cannot let the soul in. The soul’s voice is a still, soft one, and we must be quiet if we are to hear it. -- James Thornton as quoted in Friends of Silence |
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