HOPE IN THE DARK: An Advent Day Retreat for Clergy

WELCOME to a day of prayer and rest, amid the Advent motifs of endings and beginnings, judgment and repentance, longing in the midst of darkness — and the coming of Christ. Two addresses by veteran retreat leader and spiritual director, the Rev. Julia Gatta, will explore these richly interrelated themes, each talk followed by an hour for silent reflection and prayer. There will also be time for questions, checking in, and responses from the speaker, who will also provide optional guidance for prayer times after each session. Silence is encouraged throughout the day, except for quiet conversation during lunch.

Parking will be available in both lots on Church Street between Airy and Marshall Sts. Additionally, there is handicapped parking and some parking spots available near the front door of the diocesan offices, located at 22 E Marshall Street, Norristown. (You will go down a long drive with the graveyard on either side of you.)

About The Living Church
The Living Church Foundation is proud to partner with the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania to sponsor this retreat. The Living Church is a communications ministry that has been serving the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion since 1878, with a focus on encouragement, leadership development, and Christian unity. You can find out more about us at livingchurch.org.

About the Speaker
The Reverend Julia Gatta is the Bishop Frank A. Juhan Professor of Pastoral Theology in the School of Theology in Sewanee. She holds a Ph.D. in Medieval Studies from Cornell University. Mother Gatta is the author of The Pastoral Art of the English Mystics (1987); The Nearness of God: Parish Ministry as Spiritual Practice (2010); with Martin Smith, Go in Peace: The Art of Hearing Confessions (2012); and Life in Christ: Practicing Christian Spirituality (2018). She has worked as a spiritual director and retreat leader for many
years.