The Gift of Story: Finding the Sacred in the Details

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Maya Angelou

Stephanie Rutt recently released her memoir, Dancing on the Moon: The Non-Ordinary Life I Never Saw Coming, a Spiritual Memoir. Her collection of stories are like snap shots, some like the old, faded pictures with the crinkled edges you might find in your grandparent’s cedar chest, alongside more recent ones.(Click here for book link.)

Stories invite us to pause, take a step back, and to softly notice what just might be peering back at us. Each one invites us to become wholly present to the past and, at the same time, the eternal here-and-now. Each story is sacred, a gift from God, given for our growth and healing, others for simply delight and joy.

As part of our Lenten Series, we invite you to join us as we consider our stories and recognize the divine gifts they are. We will use short stories and themes in Stephanie's memoir as a jumping off place into the stories of our own lives - stories that may have something to reveal to us beyond what we may have first thought or noticed. Using meditative chanting and journaling exercises, we'll be invited to excavate a story(s) ready for the telling.

It’s truly a beautiful thing to share our stories. It’s how we find ourselves in one another.

Come. Sit awhile and tell a story or two.

Cost: $89.00(includes program from 9:30-3:30, pastries and lunch)

NENW: FREE AUTHOR CHAT WITH STEPHANIE RUTT

Immediately following this day-apart retreat, we invite you to join us for Voices and Stories: Author Chat with Stephanie Rutt, a free HYBRID author chat with Stephanie Rutt. Stephanie will talk about her recent book, Dancing on the Moon: The Non-Ordinary Life I Never Saw Coming, a Spiritual Memoir.  From 3-4 pm on Wednesday, April 2nd in the Moses Meeting Room, Stephanie will read selections from her book, answer questions, and sign books for those who join us in-person at Rolling Ridge. There is no cost for this public event.  Please register so that we can prepare for your attendance online or onsite.  Attend both events with Stephanie as you are able!

‍

OUR 2025 LENTEN EXPERIENCES

Building our year-long theme of "Being Wholly Present," our Lenten Retreat Series includes:

• Taizé Lenten Quiet Day (Wednesday, March 12)
• Lenten Companioned Retreat overnights with Lenten Quiet Day 
• Inviting Wholeness into Focus: Listening for your body's wisdom (Wednesday, March 19)
• Tune in, Tune up! The Healing Power of Sound (Wednesday, March 26)
• The Gift of Story: Finding the Sacred in the Details (Wednesday, April 2)
• Faith and Art: Ukrainian Eggs  (Thursday, April 10)  
• Tai Chi and the Paschal Mystery (Wednesday, April 16)

Other 2025 Lent and Easter events include:

• ONLINE Lenten Prayer Journey (Sunday evenings of Lent at 6 pm through Easter)
• IN-PERSON Good Friday Sunset Service
• IN-PERSON Easter Sunrise Service