Embracing the Mystery: The Soul of Aging Retreat

“I don’t want to fight the gravity of aging. It’s nature’s way. I want to collaborate with it as best I can,
in hopes of going down with something like the grace of that setting sun.” ~Parker Palmer

An Opportunity for Reflection, Renewal & Gracious Harvesting
Sep. 4-6, 2025
An Online Circle of Trust® Retreat

Embracing the Mystery is a retreat inspired by Parker Palmer’s book, On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old (2018). Parker writes, “There’s no antidote for the gravity that takes us to the grave. But there is a countervailing force called ‘levity.’” Together, we wish to explore the mystery of our many-layered life. How might we embrace the joys, challenges and gifts of aging; to surrender to, and be transformed by the aging process? This is a time to come together to listen, share and hold space for each other as we deepen our connection to ourselves; honoring the known and embracing the unknown.

A Circle of Trust® Retreat offers: 

• a space to renew the heart, mind and spirit through the exploration of the inner landscape of one’s life

• time to reconnect to one’s identity and integrity and renew our courage to live from a place of wholeness

• a process to strengthen one’s self-awareness

• a trustworthy space for inner work in community

• an opportunity to practice deep listening and respectful speaking – strengthening one’s life beyond the retreat

Dates/Times

All times reflect Central Daylight Time (CDT)

• Introductory Session: Tues., Sep. 2, 4:00-5:30 pm
• Online Retreat:
  • Thurs., Sep. 4, 4:00-6:00 pm
  • Fri., Sep. 5, 10:00 am-1:00 pm; 4:00-6:00 pm
  • Sat., Sep. 6, 10:00 am-1:00 pm

The retreat begins Thursday afternoon with check-in available at 3:45 pm and the initial gathering at 4:00 pm.

Location

Online, via Zoom. Although online, it’s important that you prepare for being in retreat. Create a sacred space where you are able to be as present as possible. Dress comfortably. Have a journal close by to hold your reflections from our time together.

Cost

$170/person

Facilitators – Kirstin Anglea and Winton Boyd

Kirstin Anglea is a mother, daughter, spouse and learner. With an early awareness that life is terminal, she seeks to embrace the beauty and messiness of life and help others do the same. She has been a facilitator with The Center for Courage & Renewal since 2014 and leads Courage & Renewal retreats, locally and internationally. She is trained in the Soul of Aging program. In addition, she serves as the Mentor Program Coordinator with the Center for Courage & Renewal. She is a member of the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon in Bend, OR. She and her partner live in Sisters, OR near her father and daughter. When not working, you can find Kirstin playing in the kitchen, singing, traveling, exploring the outdoors or losing to her dad in cribbage. 🙂

Winton Boyd is a spouse, father, grandfather and one who seeks to hold space for reflection and relationship for people of all ages.  He has been a facilitator for the Center for Courage & Renewal since 2007.  He is trained in the Soul of Aging program and together with Kirstin, has led 10 retreats on this topic since 2020 (mostly online).  He is also the Flourishing in Ministry Program Coordinator for the Center for Clergy Renewal at Holy Wisdom Monastery.  From 1999-2019 he served as the Senior Pastor of Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ in Madison, WI.  He also co-facilitates the Contemplative Clergy Immersions for the Center for Clergy Renewal at Holy Wisdom Monastery.  Before moving to Minneapolis, he and his wife were members of the Sunday Assembly at Holy Wisdom.  They have three grown children and two grandchildren.  He enjoys outdoor activities, travel, reading and baking bread, among other things.

Questions

If you have questions about the retreat or the online platform Zoom, please contact either Kirstin or Winton:

• Kirstin Anglea (kirstin@nourishcourage.com)
• Winton Boyd (boydwinton@gmail.com)

Register

Please register by Aug. 28, 2025. The maximum number of participants is 23 and registration will close when full.

This event is full; if you’d like to be put on a waiting list, please contact Signe Lee at slee@holywisdommonastery.org.

Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until Aug. 28, 2025. After that, a 50% refund is available until the retreat starts.