Adult Education

‘Ignatian Prayer’, or ‘the Examen’ is a structure for daily, weekly, or situational prayer based on a series of open-ended questions that help us pay deep attention to and find direction in our recent experiences. Some people hear the word ‘examen’ and fear it means being examined or judged, but Ignatian prayer is quite the opposite! It is about discovering the leading, God-moments in our daily lives; and then using those insights in the days to come. At the retreat, we’ll learn a little bit about St. Ignatius and then explore the use of ‘the Examen’ both personally and in group settings: we hope you’ll join us!

Our Retreat Leader

The Rev. Natalie Hanson was educated at Wesleyan University and the Harvard Divinity School. She is a clergy member of the United Methodist Church, now retired after 40 years of ministry. Much of that ministry was focused in urban parishes, with eight years serving as a District Superintendent in the Western, then Upper New York Annual Conference.

On behalf of the Conference and as an adjunct for Wesley Seminary’s Course of Study, Rev. Hanson for several years taught classes on preaching and worship development. She was also Co-Convener and worship developer for the NE Jurisdiction’s Clergywomen’s Convocation.

In retirement, Natalie and her husband, the Rev. Dr. James Paul Womack, were summer hosts at the United Methodist Missionary Vacation Home at Chautauqua Institution, a summer learning and cultural community. In 2022, she stepped in as Interim Senior Pastor for the Institution, then joined Paul in his three-year interim pastorate at Hurlbut Church there. They both retired again in July of 2024. Natalie and Paul have three adult daughters, and a permanent residence in the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

We hope you will treat yourself to this retreat! A perfect way to exchange busyness for prayer, presence and exchanging darkness of anxiety for the light of Jesus Christ during Lent.

The retreat begins Friday March 21st at 5pm with a hospitality reception, followed by dinner at 6pm, retreat at 6:45pm and ends with compline at 9pm. On Saturday March 22nd, breakfast is served at 8am, retreat begins at 8:45am. The retreat will end at 3pm.

The reception, dinner, breakfast, lunch and snacks are included in the price of the retreat. A Single room is $150, Double room is $135, Commuter is $100, Student rate is $75. Scholarships are available. Contact Laurie at Laurie@csmsg.org with questions.

Register online or with Laurie Brown at Laurie@csmsg.org.