Sabbaticals

Springbank offers four, eight, and twelve week sabbatical programs designed to provide a healing and supportive environment for those in transition, those in need of spiritual and physical renewal, and those seeking new ways of being in relationship and ritual with Earth, self, and all beings. Encounter new sources of hope and a deepening of your spiritual journey in an atmosphere anchored in simplicity and love of Earth contributing to the transformation of human consciousness.

Rest the body, Renew the spirit, and Refresh the mind in surroundings conducive to quiet prayer and contemplative solitude, balanced with opportunity for intentional community. The Sabbatical Program affords ample time for personal rest, recreation, and creative pursuits. Included in the cost is the invitation to share in the spiritual richness of all of the retreat program offerings during your time of sabbatical.

The full twelve-week Sabbatical Program encompasses all areas described below. Please call or write to discuss your personal program needs or for further information. Springbank Programs focus on healing, nourishment and empowerment of women and men.

The Sabbatical program invites a deeper commitment to more sustainable living, welcoming the new emerging consciousness. Participants will be steeped in works of Thomas Berry CP, Miriam MacGillis OP, Brian Swimme, Rev. Jim Conlon, and Ilia Delio.

*There is an additional fee of $70 per session for massage therapy and $35 per session for Spiritual direction.

Sabbatical Schedule
Most programs are presented in morning and afternoon sessions. Schedules allow time to walk, rest, continue working with clay, basketry, or watercolors, receive healing body work, or meet with a mentor or spiritual director. Free time is scheduled so participants can visit the beautiful beaches, sculpture and flower gardens, and explore historic Charleston.

Sabbatical participants
Please send a brief statement about yourself and your reasons for taking a sabbatical, along with a professional, ministerial or congregational leadership letter of recommendation.

Spirituality – Self Discovery

SACRED SCRIPTURE – Liturgy and ritual (with a feminine perspective), centered in the Word, are an integral part of the Sabbatical program.

ECO-SPIRITUALITY – A spirituality rooted in the sacredness of Earth, calling us to be conscious caretakers, to help restore the fragile web of life.

NATIVE WISDOM – Share the ancient wisdom of our Native sisters and brothers, create Native crafts and drums and experience Prayer Lodge and Spirit Quest.

T’AI CHI CHIH © created by Justin Stone – is based upon an ancient Chinese form of movement and breathing. It is a form of meditation and a method of mind-body-spirit healing and balancing.

DEEPENING OUR SENSE OF ECOLOGICAL BELONGING – experience the wonder and beauty of Springbank’s 80 acres of trees, wetlands and wildlife in an experiential and participatory process. Relearn the inborn , natural language and intelligence of the natural world.

Art as Soulwork

POTTERY – Clay vessels are hand-built, polished with smooth stones and given variations of color through an outdoor sawdust firing.

BASKETRY – Through the process of weaving and twining, participants will create several fiber baskets.

PAINTING – Experience the delight of color! Let color free your inner creative self.

HEALING REMEDIES – Discover our relationship with the medicinal plant world, experience healing touch and other holistic modalities.