Christian community sets context for Five-Day Academy

The 2010 Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation will be March 7-12 at The Prothro Center at Lake Texoma.

The event offers an experience based on daily rhythms designed for rest and renewal, including times for worship, study, silence and solitude, prayer and spiritual friends. The spirit of Christian community sets the context for growth in faith and spiritual maturity.

The Academy is a ministry of The Upper Room. Participants in the Five-Day experience include the NTC, Central Texas Conference, Trinity-Brazos Area of the Christian Church in the Southwest, and the North Texas Area of the Christian Church in the Southwest.

Rev. Woodrow (Woody) Weilage, Aldersgate UMC, Carrollton, is retreat leader, and Martha Jacobson, Spring Valley UMC, Dallas, is covenant group leader. Speakers are Dr. Elaine Robinson, Saint Paul School of Theology, Oklahoma City University, and Dr. Doug Skinner, senior minister at Northway Christian Church, Dallas.

Dr. Robinson will focus on the theme, “Living as Godbearers,” and Dr. Skinner will focus on, “Ascent: Following the Trail.”

Dr. Robinson is Academic Dean of Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University and Associate Professor of UM Studies and Christian Theology there. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. She previously taught at Brite Divinity School, TCU, and earned her Master of Divinity degree at Perkins School of Theology, SMU, and Ph.D. at Emory University, Atlanta. Prior to enrolling in seminary, Dr. Robinson served in the U.S. Air Force for ten years. She has written numerous books, including Godbearing: Evangelism Reconceived and Considering the Great Commission (with Stephen Gunter).

Dr. Skinner is a soughtafter spiritual director and retreat leader in addition to being a gifted minister. He has a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Pecos Benedictine Monastery in Pecos, New Mexico. As the spiritual presenter, he will use the Psalms of Ascent (120-134) and some of the classic spiritual maps from the Christian tradition. He has been Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest and the Vice Moderator for the General Assembly of the Christian Church. He is deeply involved in ecumenical work and participates in the partnership, Friendship Among Faiths. He is author of At the Lord’s Table: Communion Prayers for All Seasons.

Other academy leaders include Lindsay Churchman, worship; Deborah Jones, hospitality; and Rev. Ben Read, book display.

Costs are: Double Occupancy, $450 by Feb. 1 and $500 after, and Single Occupancy, $550 by Feb. 1 and $600 after. A non-refundable $100 deposit is due with registration and the balance must be paid by March 1.

For more information, please contact Rev. Weilage at 972-492-9393 or e-mail: pastor.woody@verizon.net