Connecting with Ancestors Retreat

How does your experience of faith relate to the spirituality of your ancestors?

This is a question that is often posed to Aboriginal Christians. The Uniting College for Leadership and Theology (Yarthu-Apinthi) is blessed to have Theologian in Residence Rev Dr Aunty Denise Champion working towards providing some answers. It is inevitable that these will differ depending upon how we interpret and experience spirituality and our sense of connection to our ancestral roots. In her time as Theologian in Residence Aunty Denise has advocated that this is an important question for all people. Through Covenanting, she and a group of Uniting Church ministry leaders are exploring parallels between Celtic and Aboriginal spiritualties. In particular, drawing upon the experience of displacement, migration and how connecting with ‘what was’ can enrich ‘what is’ now.

From this exploration the group’s desire is to encourage others to explore their own spiritual heritage through the Connecting with Ancestors Retreat. The retreat will be held from 21st – 23rd October 2022 in Moonta. During the retreat you will experience a weekend of listening to stories of our ancestors, and connecting with our own heritage through dialogue between the spirituality of First Nations people and that of the ancient Celts. Come and join us to enjoy the beautiful Moonta landscape and history with plenty of time for walking, writing and reflecting.

FAQs about the Connecting with Ancestors Retreat

What is the cost?

The cost for registration is $80 per person. This fee includes access to the retreat’s activities, a Retreat reflection booklet and some meals.

Does the registration fee include accommodation?

No. Participants will be required to source and fund their own accommodation. A suggested list of accommodation venues is available at this link: https://sa.uca.org.au/ covenanting/covenanting-events Where can I register? Register your attendance at https:// sa.uca.org.au/covenanting/covenantingevents

Connecting with Ancestors Retreat

Connecting with Ancestors Retreat Draft Program

Friday 21st October 2022

7.00pm Welcome to Country - Yanakanai song 7.30pm Storytelling 8.30pm Quiet guided reflection time 9.00pm Blessing. Saturday 22nd October 2022

9.00 am Dadirri video and invitation to deep listening and silence 9.20am Quiet reflective time

9.45am Displacement 10.30am Morning Tea (provided) 11.00am Introduction to Celtic Christianity 11.10am A Celtic Prayer 11.30am Introduction to Cornish Theology and Personal Piety 11.45am Stories and Prayers of Celtic Christians 12.30pm Lunch (provided) 7.30pm Campfire and stories under the stars 8.30pm Evening reflection time Sunday 23rd October 2022

6.00am Sunrise gathering 7.30am Breakfast (provided at Moonta Church Hall) 9.00am Yanakanai and morning quiet reflection time 9.20am Guided Reflection on (a) scripture (b) ancestor stories 9.40am Invitations and responses 10.00am Concluding thoughts and prayers 11.00am Worship at Moonta Mines Church and Holy Communion containing elements of Celtic and First Nations spiritualties.