St. Luke’s Annual Parish Retreat at Kanuga draws a diverse crowd — young, old, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, couples, singles, 8 o’clockers, 9 o’clockers and 11 o’clockers. This year’s retreat encouraged us to meet our church “brothers” and “sisters” outside of our normal “tribes.”

This year, rather than facing forward to hear a guest speaker, we spent a lot of time facing one another. A number of clergy and parishioners led workshops on various subjects, including golf, fly fishing, knitting, photography, astronomy, line dancing, memorizing the stories of Genesis through song, faith in film, tai chi and interpreting dreams. There was even a class entitled “The Big Necessity,” which took parishioners on a tour of the waste water facilities at the Kanuga conference center.

The subject matter was almost as diverse as the members of our parish, and provided a great opportunity for people to meet, to reconnect, to deepen relationships — all while learning from each other. The photos here are just a few of the highlights from our 2009 Parish Retreat at Kanuga.

To view more even more photos from our 2009 Parish Retreat at Kanuga, click here. If you have any photos of your own you’d like to share on this blog, an essay or short video, please email any files or links to: stlukeskanuga@gmail.com

Click here to download the registration form.

Whether you come with a car load of grandchildren, a spouse, a partner, or simply bring yourself — you are a vital part of our parish family. And this year’s retreat will be a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. It’s a chance to stroll through the trees surrounding a peaceful lake, to watch children play in the fall leaves — to talk, laugh and relax by the giant fireplace in the lodge.

Our parish retreat traditionally falls on the weekend before Thanksgiving and makes a relaxing transition from hectic fall schedules to preparing for the holidays. So, dig out your sweaters and jackets and mark your calendars for the weekend of Nov. 20-22.

St. Luke’s is offering a 15 percent discount for all who return their completed forms and payment by Oct. 15. And if you’re a “first timer” — that is, you’ve never been to the Parish Retreat before — you qualify for a 50 percent discount! So, no need to wait any longer. You can download the registration form right here!

Click here to download the registration form.

P.S. This year’s retreat will focus on the skills and talents of our fellow parishioners. If there is a special activity you’re interested in sharing with a small group, please email: megmccallum@bellsouth.net

This year’s retreat featured nationally renowned storyteller Sheila Kay Adams and concluded with a big 1950s-style dance. For highlights, click on the video below.

Strumming a banjo, Adams sang traditional Appalachian ballads and told tales handed down from her Scottish and Irish ancestors — often engaging members of the audience to illustrate her points.

This weekend of tales was also a weekend of tails. Naturalist Carlton Burke was back with an assortment of furry, feathered and scaly critters. The animals are always a big hit with the children (and any parents or grandparents who happen to accompany them).

Saturday night’s activities concluded with a 1950s-style sock hop. And plenty of parishioners dressed the part. Click on the video below to watch some amazing dance moves!

This blog is a work in progress. If you have any photos, videos or stories from Kanuga 2008 that you’d like to share, send them to: stlukesgetaway@gmail.com.

Kanuga 2007 also featured a presentation by Jungian analyst Jerry Wright and live music performances by singer and songwriter Fran McKendree.