WEDNESDAYS AWAY
Join us for Wednesdays Away, a time of spiritual renewal hosted by Cross Roads throughout the year. Our time together includes prayer and conversation, led by a spiritual director and focusing on a different spiritual practice or theme each month. These retreats are open to all people interested in exploring new faith practices. Attend one or attend all—and be sure to invite friends to join you.
DATES & THEMES
2023
OCTOBER 4
THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS
Laurie Matarazzo
We know Francis as the patron saint of the environment and of animals. What do we know about his vow of poverty? How does his simplicity of life speak to our consumerist society in 2023?
2023
NOVEMBER 1
ALL SAINTS DAY
BEING GIVEN
Wendy Abrahamson
Henri Nouwen wrote: “As God’s beloved children we have to believe that our little lives, when lived as God’s chosen and blessed children, are broken to be given to others. We too have to become bread for the world. When we live our brokenness under the blessing, our lives will
continue to bear fruit from generation to generation. That is the story of the saints—they died, but they continue to be alive in the hearts of those who live after them—and this can be our story too.” (from Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith)
Please bring a picture of a saint in your life as we journey through being beloved children of God and the stories we are writing for ourselves.
2023
DECEMBER 6
ADVENT STILLNESS
Laurie Matarazzo
Advent is a season of silence and rest with God. Together, we will begin our Advent journey with hearts and minds open to God's holy presence.
2024
FEBRUARY 14
ASH WEDNESDAY
WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Dale Selover
As Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day fall on the same day this year, we will begin our Lenten journey by looking at the symbol of ashes through the lens of love. We will also consider the ways in which we are invited to love as a spiritual practice. Our day will begin with the Imposition of Ashes and end with the Celebration of Holy Communion.
2024
MARCH 6
ADAMAH - CREATIONS OF SOIL & SOUL
Carrie M. Allport
"One day the Eternal God scooped soil out of the ground, sculpted it into the shape we call Earth Creature, breathed the breath that gives life into the nostrils of the Creature of Soil, and the Earth Creature became a living Creature of Soul." - of Genesis 2:7
Lament is our rich and ancient spiritual tradition of crying out to God when things aren't right. Prayers of lament risk truth-telling with God and trusting God will fulfill God's covenant promises, even in our most dire circumstances. Together, with resources from the BTS Center, we will lament with the earth, holding spiritual space for grief, discovery, thanksgiving, and inspiration in a climate-changed world.
2024
APRIL 3
THE BEATITUDES ... HOW BIZARRE?
Josh Kelly
In this session, we will sit with all those that Jesus calls blessed. We will ponder what blessings really look like and how now, as then, Jesus turns the values of the world on its ears and gives us something so bizarre but so beautiful.
2024
MAY 1
WALKING IN THE WAY
Linda Walker
Walking can be a meditative practice that allows us to listen to God's words in a deeper and more spiritual way. We will follow Ruth and Hagar as their journeys in the Old Testament take them from places of conflict and despair to a new life that brings them closer to God. We will conclude the day with a blessing of our feet.
2024
JUNE 5
SPIRITUALITY IN NATURE - OUR HOUSEHOLD WITH GOD
Carrie M. Allport
According to Beth Norcross, the latest "research tells us what we already know intuitively - we are happier and healthier, more open and more compassionate, in nature." Together, with resources from The Center for Spirituality in Nature, we will renew our understanding of the
household of God and reconnect with God's divine creation. By broadening our understanding of ecology, we'll nurture spiritual hospitality that cultivates beloved communities, rejuvenating our call to love God and all sentient neighbors as ourselves.
Out of love for our community, we ask that those not feeling well stay home. A full refund will be issued for cancellations due to illness. Also, as we continue to feel the effects of COVID, we strongly recommend participants take a covid rapid test the morning of the event.