The Oracle Institute is excited to invite you to a URI-sponsored bioregional gathering for the Blue Ridge Mountain region. Come join us in October 2020!
The Oracle Institute is excited to invite you to a URI-sponsored bioregional gathering for the Blue Ridge Mountain region: Spiritual Diversity in the Blue Ridge: Building Interfaith Cooperation in the Bible Belt.
This retreat will take place October 16-18, 2020 in southwest Virginia. As a member of a URI-affiliated organization in the Blue Ridge Mountain region, you are invited to send 2-3 members to this special retreat, which is hosted by The Oracle Institute (a fellow URI Cooperation Circle) and co-sponsored by URI North America.
The goal of Spiritual Diversity in the Blue Ridge is to connect Cooperation Circles in the southern U.S. in a way that fosters communication, cooperation, and collaboration. We hope that, after this gathering, we will stay in contact and continue to work together to promote URI’s Purpose and Principles. To this end, during the gathering, we will focus on:
- Building lasting relationships;
- Exploring the challenges in promoting interfaith cooperation in the Bible Belt;
- Brainstorming ways to overcome those challenges and embrace the opportunities;
- Establishing a path for continued support and collaboration once the event is over; and
- Spending time in reflection, meditation, ceremony, and ritual.
Members of URI Cooperation Circles based outside the Blue Ridge Mountain region for whom our theme resonates are also encouraged to attend, as are members of interfaith groups interested in learning more about URI. If you are interested in attending (even if you are not yet 100% sure you will be able to), please take 30 seconds to let us know.
If you want to see more of our early thinking on what this weekend will encompass, click here for a draft weekend schedule and answers to FAQ. And, please know that we plan to adapt and update plans for the weekend as we receive input from YOU! One of the ways you can share your input is to write Katie Kennedy ([email protected]) to let us know your level of interest, what you’d like to get out of the gathering and what you might want to contribute!
The idea of building lasting relationships with other Circles in our region resonates deeply with us, and we really look forward to meeting you. So, please save the date: October 16 - 18, 2020.
And, please know that as the URI liaison for your Cooperation Circle/Affiliate, we are counting on you to share this invitation with other members of your group and to engage in a group decision-making process to select who will attend.
In Excited Anticipation,
The Oracle Institute, Host of Bioregional Gathering
URI North America Leadership Council, Sponsor
Contact for The Oracle Institute: Katie Kennedy ([email protected])
Contact for URI: Kate Sheehan Roach ([email protected])
For budgeting purposes, the registration fees (which include food and lodging) will be set as follows:
Regular price - private room $250 Early Bird: $225
Regular price - shared room $200 Early Bird: $175
Regular price - camping $175 Early Bird: $150
Student price - camping $125 Early Bird: $100
Scholarship price - camping $100 (sliding scale)
*Early Bird pricing ends August 1st
