Our fall conference will focus on the thought of Isaac of Ninevehas it relates to the discovery of Christian wisdom through the reading of Scripture and prayer.  The conference will take place on October 28-30, 2011 and is open to anyone who would like to attend.  The purpose of this conference is to provide a forum for the study and discussion of the spiritual life of the early church as it is expressed in the Christian Scriptures and in the written word.  Moreover, we will explore the relation of this early history to our own life of prayer and discipleship.  Participants will also have an opportunity to explore their spiritual life through art, during a special Saturday afternoon session.  The conference is also designed to provide a bridge between the academic community and the church, in that we are interested in both scholarly and personal reflection to inform our discussions.  We also desire to promote a life of prayer and fellowship during our retreats and studies.  As such, we take time for daily prayer as well as breaks between sessions to visit and to enjoy fellowship one with another.
Participants may wish to familiarize themselves with the Isaac's through through works such as Daily Readings with St. Isaac of Syria, A.M. Allchin, ed. or The Syriac Fathers on Prayer and the Spiritual Life, Sebastian Brock, ed.
The cost to attend the conference will be $45 for individuals and $70 for families.  All meals and lodging will be provided, though space for overnight guests is limited to 12 people.  You may sign up by phone or by sending your name and contact information to the address listed here.  We hope that you will be able to attend! 

Schedule of Events

Friday, October 28
5:00—Arrival and Orientation
6:00—Supper
7:30—Prayer
8:00—Introduction to Isaac's thought
8:45—Discussion
9:30—Prayer
10:00—Bed

Saturday, October 4
8:00—Breakfast
9:00—Prayer
9:30—Session I
10:00—Discussion
10:45—Meditation on Scripture
12:00—Lunch
1:30—Meditation on Scripture
2:15—Discussion
2:45—Session II
4:15—Discussion
4:45—Free Time
6:00—Supper
7:30—Prayer
8:00—Session III
8:30—Discussion
9:00—Bonfire
10:00—Bed

Sunday October 5
8:00—Breakfast
9:00—Prayer
9:30—We Worship Together
           Prayer in Action: Contemplation in
           the World
12:00—Lunch

Saint Isaac of Nineveh conference

Isaac of Nineveh on prayer:

Every good care of the intellect directed toward God and every meditation upon spiritual things is delimited by prayer, is called by the name of prayer and under its name is comprehended; whether you speak of various readings, or the cries of a mouth glorifying God, or sorrowing reflection on the Lord, or making bows with the body, or the alleluias of psalmody, or all the other things from which the teaching of genuine prayer ensues.


O Mystery exalted beyond every word and beyond silence, who became human in order to renew us by means of voluntary union with the flesh, reveal to me the path by which I may be raised up to Your mysteries, travelling along a course that is clear and tranquil, free from the illusions of this world.  Gather my mind into the silence of prayer, so that wandering thoughts may be silenced within me during that illumined converse of supplication and mystery-filled wonder.