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Why Should Our Hearts Not Dance?
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PART I: APPLE FARM VIRTUAL BOOK GROUP
- This virtual book group took place from June 25 to September 24, 2026. studying Lighting the Forbidden Lamp, The Myth of Psyche and Eros as told by Paula Reeves, and Till We Have Faces, by C.S. Lewis. Inspired by Helen Luke's essay, "Orual," this series focused on the myth of Psyche (Orual) and Eros as re-told by Paula Reeve and C.S. Lewis.
- The virtual book group will continue after the October 15-18 weekend at Apple Farm. Scroll down to Part III for info and registration for October-December sessions on Zoom.
PART II: IN-PERSON RETREAT OCTOBER 15-18
- Join us at Apple Farm October 15-18 for an in-person Retreat/Birthday Celebration.
- Our focus will be Helen M. Luke’s essay Orual in which Helen explores the character of Orual from the book Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis. "Orual" by Helen M. Luke is published in both The Way of Woman and Kaleidoscope.
REGISTRATION for October 15-18
- Contact Tammy Wedlock, Farm Manager, to register: [email protected] or (269)244-5993
- Designate whether you are coming for the whole weekend or specific parts.
SUGGESTED CONTRIBUTION for programming costs: $200-$325. Note the Gilchrist Equity Fund below for help with costs.
If you come for part of the weekend, we invite you to contribute the amount that is good for you and for Apple Farm.
- Please send your contribution online before the event, designating the October event:
https://www.applefarmcommunity.org/donate.html
HOUSING
Gilchrist Retreat Center has notified us that they unexpectedly have some rooms available. Their fee is $75/night and the application is on their website: https://gilchristretreatcenter.org/plan-your-visit/request-accommodations/
A description of their rooms: https://gilchristretreatcenter.org/lodging-and-rates/
Rooms at Apple Farm are filled.
GILCHRIST EQUITY FUND: Need financial help to attend?
- https://gilchristretreatcenter.org/gilchrist-retreat-equity-fund/
This fund can help cover the registration cost along with lodging at nearby retreat centers which are listed.
OVERVIEW
Our weekend retreat includes common times together along with your own personal reflection times.
We encourage you to create the weekend that you need personally.
Our focus will be Helen M. Luke’s essay Orual published in both The Way of Woman and Kaleidoscope.
Plan for breakfasts on your own.
Consider joining in at 8:00 for Epiphanies on the Land with Katherine Nelson
and/or our 10:00 coffee and tea with the voice of Helen Friday and Saturday.
Your own tools and practices: When we gather to hear Helen's voice (via recordings) you may want to bring your journal, needlework, drawing/colored pencils to help you listen attentively in our 10:00 coffee/tea times, as well as in 4:00 Sherry Hour with reflective conversations on Orual. Consider the tools and practices you may want to incorporate to make it a rich time for your own inner work.
A recent change in schedule/content: The Soul Collage sessions have been canceled and we are replacing it with two afternoon sessions of a slow read together of the Orual essay by Helen Luke, along with time for personal reflection and creative practice. We hope this will enhance the weekend by bringing more time and focus to the myth of Orual.
SCHEDULE
- 15th THURSDAY
- Arrive Thursday early or mid-afternoon. We encourage you to arrange your financial contributions for the weekend before arriving via the Apple Farm website (link is shown above) or in arrangement with Tammy Wedlock, Farm Manager.
- 4 pm Sherry Hour and Birthday Party for Helen: cake, tea, Sherry, and Helen's voice: "Little Gidding."
Joan Miller, facilitator - Dinner: baked potato bar with toppings
- Arrival movie (with a Jungian lens) and discussion for the night owls.
- 16th FRIDAY
- Breakfast on your own.
- 8:00 Epiphanies on the Land: Meet at the Round House for a weather check. We'll start nearby on the grounds; participants are free to decide how far or long they continue. Katherine Nelson, facilitator
- 10 am coffee/tea and the voice of Helen: "King Lear".
- Lunch: participants make their own lunches using the Apple Farm kitchen (or feel free to bring your own food.)
We will have bread, peanut butter, cheeses, veggies, apples available. A treasure hunt lunch! - 1 pm: SoulCollage is canceled. We meet in the Round House for a slow read of the Orual essay, along with time for personal reflection and creative practice.
- 4 pm Sherry Hour and Guided Discussion of "Orual" with a supper of lite finger foods.
- Evening snacks: Popcorn and apples
- Depending on weather, we will have a bonfire Friday or Saturday night with a house piano concert the alternate evening.
- 17th SATURDAY
- Breakfast on your own.
- 8:00 Epiphanies on the Land (weather dependent), Meet at the Round House with Katherine Nelson, facilitator.
- 10 am coffee or tea and the voice of Helen: "The Story of Saul".
- Lunch: participants make their own lunches using the Apple Farm kitchen (or feel free to bring your own food.)
We will have bread, peanut butter, cheeses, veggies, apples available. - 1 pm: We gather in the Round House for continuing a slow read of the Orual essay, along with time for personal reflection and creative practice.
- 4 pm Sherry Hour and Guided Discussion of "Orual" with supper of pulled pork sandwiches.
- Evening snacks: Popcorn and apples
- Bonfire or house piano concert (see Friday evening's note) Carl Witt, facilitator
- 18th SUNDAY
- Breakfast on your own.
- Morning: Tarot Readings with Marla Sarle, facilitator. All are invited regardless of your experience or inexperience with tarot. We will begin with one or two group readings and then have time with our own individual readings. Questions will be available from TILL WE HAVE FACES and ORUAL readings or you may write your own questions. Hopefully, the time we spend together will be lighthearted, with some enlightening messages for us. You are welcome to bring your favorite tarot deck and any decks you would be willing to share.
- Soup and bread lunch provided.
"Orual" by Helen M. Luke is published in both The Way of Woman and Kaleidoscope.
- October 29, 7 p.m. EST, Virtual Book Group: "Orual" by Helen M. Luke, REGISTER HERE
- November 19, 7 p.m. EST, Virtual Book Group: "Orual" by Helen M. Luke, REGISTER HERE
- December 17, 7 p.m. EST, Virtual Book Group: "Orual" by Helen M. Luke, REGISTER HERE
