new developments

The Courses

For 2009 we are offering a Winter Scripture School of 2 weeks, a Winter Retreat of three days, and a new 6-week course for those who have a shorter time for sabbatical or break. We hope that these new projects will be particularly helpful for people who want to experience Hawkstone but don’t have the time for a full 3-month course.

The House

Recently, Hawkstone completed the following developments:

• 5 newly decorated en-suite rooms for the use of participants and visitors
• the installation of a lift for easier access to all the bedrooms
• disabled access to the house, the conference room, and the church
• the redecoration of the church, including a new floor
• the refurbishment of the coffee room
• the rebuilding and updating of all toilets, showers, and bathrooms
• access to the Internet in all rooms
• The Academy, recently refurbished additional conference room

These developments have been warmly welcomed by our course participants and guests.

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The Retreats and Short Courses for 2010

Two Week Winter Scripture School

Wk 1:
Major Theme: An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke Year C

The Third Synoptic Gospel was written by Luke around 85 AD. Luke’s uncertainty about Palestinian geography suggests that he was from outside that part of the world. Nonetheless, in his Gospel, this highly educated man attempts to locate emerging Christianity within the context of the larger Greco-Roman world. This course will offer an introduction to the Gospel and a close reading of some uniquely Lukan texts.

Minor Theme: In Bitterness and Mistrust: How Israel’s Experience of the Wilderness Shaped its Relationship with God

For Ancient Israel the wilderness was the haunt of demons and, in particular, of Mot the god of death. Using selected biblical texts, this course will follow Israel on its perilous journey through this alien environment, paying particular attention to the manner in which Israel’s relationship with God was forged in bitter suspicion and crisis. It will examine briefly how the wilderness theme was radically adapted by Christian theology.

Wk 2:
Major Theme: The Wider Holy Land: Biblical Themes from Egypt and Jordan

Egypt and Jordan can indeed be also considered part of the “wider” Holy Land. This course will identify a number of key places in these countries (Cairo, Sinai, Wadi Rum, Petra and Mount Nebo among others) and explore their connection to the Bible and Biblical themes.

Minor Theme: Exploring the Acts of the Apostles

Acts is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke and prepares its reader for the new stage of the Church’s development, which begins with Pentecost. The book opens with the story of Peter and then takes up the conversion and mission of Paul. (This brief course will offer an overview of the book’s composition, historical accuracy and presentation of the early life of the Church).   Transition 22 – 26 April Dr Stephanie Thornton Facing change later in life Retiring? Divorced or Widowed? An empty nest? A new health challenge? Or just growing older, contemplating the uncertainties of later life. This week explores development in later life, reclaiming the positive that is so often overlooked in our youth-obsessed culture. Change is an invitation to a new life.

13 — 26 January

Fr Ciaran O’Callaghan CSsR

Transition

22 — 26 April

Dr Stephanie Thornton

Facing change later in life Retiring? Divorced or Widowed? An empty nest? A new health challenge? Or just growing older, contemplating the uncertainties of later life. This week explores development in later life, reclaiming the positive that is so often overlooked in our youth-obsessed culture. Change is an invitation to a new life.

Please also see the 5-Day Courses that are available.

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Renewal Courses, Sabbatical Programmes, Conference Facilities, Retreats. +44 (0)1630 685242