Join seven other North American women for this cross-cultural spiritual experience. What Participants Have Said: "I learned the power of love in women creating sacred space together and the importance of ‘retreat’ time apart from routine." Susan Oke “… a wonderful experience, insightful, loving and comforting.” Vickie Cousins “I came back feeling revitalized with a deeper sense of peace, and an experience of healing that has allowed me to have a greater sense of God’s presence in my life.” Mary Lee Laing If you wish to speak to a previous participant, ask Anne  Description Designed for women who want time apart from their busy lives, this retreat is restorative to body, mind, heart and spirit. The fully integrated week in the beautiful sunny warmth of Belize has three main components: I) Time for individual quiet and reflection, two individual sessions with Anne, group reflections with a variety of prayer and meditative experiences, morning body prayer, overlooking the Caribbean sunrise. II) Three day-trips to introduce participants to significant highlights of Belize:  Exploring Belize City Island trip and snorkelling Mayan Rainforest excursion or visit to the 4-H school and Children’s Home project (Eggs for Hope) III) Woman’s Wisdom This is a two day cross-cultural workshop with Belizean women, designed for personal healing and transformation, to help you feel more at home in your own skin. Negative attitudes towards our bodies and sexuality, influenced by cultural and religious traditions, will be addressed and released through a gentle safe process which includes movement, guided mediation and story-telling. Knowing from within that your body is as sacred and miraculous as any other part of creation will encourage you to bring to birth your unique wisdom and gifts. As we heal ourselves, we heal our world. For related article see: “Presence”, an International Journal of Spiritual Direction, June 2008, page 24.  Facilitator: Anne Simmonds, Adjunct Faculty at Emmanuel College, Toronto School of Theology, is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada, who offers workshops, guided retreats, spiritual direction, and counselling. Anne is a gifted facilitator and teacher who draws on her extensive experience in congregational ministry, hospital chaplaincy, and nursing. Anne has served as Director of Chaplaincy at the former Wellesley Hospital in Toronto, Minister of Pastoral Care at Rosedale United Church, Toronto, and is currently Honorary Pastoral Associate at Metropolitan United Church, Toronto. Anne has been facilitating workshops in Belize since 1998. Where is Belize? Belize is in Central America, bounded on the north by Mexico, south and west by Guatemala. The Caribbean Sea washes its 174 mile coastline to the east. Archaeologists estimate that at their peak, 1 to 2 million Mayans lived within modern Belize. Large mahogany forests attracted the interest of European explorers in the 17th century, and early settlement led to Belize being formally declared the Crown Colony, British Honduras, in 1840. The results of the intermingling of settlers and natives, the mestizo (metis) group known today as Creole, make up the majority of the population of Belize. Settlement from the territories bordering Belize, Mexico and Guatemala, has introduced Spanish language and culture. The language of Belize is English with most speaking some Spanish. Comfort Details We will stay at Our Lady of Guadalupe Spiritual Life Centre, which is located in the lovely Spanish-colonial style Convent of St. Catherine Convent, in Belize City. Participants will have a private room with sink and door that opens on to a large shared balcony overlooking the Caribbean. The retreat house is clean and comfortable, but modest. While meals are included, there is a full kitchen for our use. The property also houses a private girls schools established by the Sisters of Mercy. There is no ocean swimming at this location but the pool at a nearby hotel is available to participants.  Visit the Belize Mercy Center’s Website for more information.  For further information or questions: email: anne@annesimmonds.ca or Telephone: 416 469 8377  Top of pagehttp://mercycenterbelize.orgmailto:anne@annesimmonds.cashapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2

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Anne Simmonds

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Watch for dates in 2012