Spiritual Deepening eRetreats: Aging, Death, & Dying

The Aging, Death, and Dying eRetreat invites you to explore and practice the spirituality of death. Growing old, even when that means facing physical or other changes, can help us focus on what is essential.  This eRetreat will run from May 12 - June 7, 2019.

Weekly Themes

• Week 1: Aging
• Week 2: Dying
• Week 3: Death
• Week 4: The Spiritual Gifts of the Last Third of Life

Community Building Calls

Each week, the facilitators will lead Community Building Calls using a video conference call service.  During these calls, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the eRetreat content, worship together, do additional eRetreat exercises, and build connections with each other.  The Community Building Calls are scheduled for 8pm Eastern on Sunday, May 12; Wednesday, May 22; Wednesday, May 29; and Wednesday, June 5.

Tech Support

To provide support in navigating the eRetreat site, viewing the content, and participating in the group discussions, FGC offers the following support opportunities:

eRetreat Orientation Call: For a half-hour before the first Community Building Call, we will talk about navigating the eRetreat site and participating in the discussions.  Bring your questions!  Sunday, May 12, 7:30pm Eastern. 

eRetreat Support Office Hours: FGC staff will be available to answer questions and troubleshoot any issues you may be having with the technology every Tuesday from 3-4pm Eastern. 

Facilitators

The Aging, Death, and Dying eRetreat will be facilitated by Mary Linda McKinney and Meg Lennon.

Mary Linda McKinney is a long-time member of Nashville Friends Meeting. For the past year, she has been worshiping with other faith communities, most often an Alliance of Baptists church, but also Sufi zikr, and a Buddhist dharma group. She simultaneously recognizes and is oblivious to this world being the Kin-dom of Heaven and her heart's deepest desire is to grow into the person her Divine Mama created her to be.  Mary Linda meets with individuals and groups, in-person and on-line in her role as an interfaith spiritual director. She is elated to be married to Mark Wutka and to share their home with a whole bunch of other people. She enjoys vegetarian ramen, doodling, red shoes, and loves art house films in which redemption happens.

Meg Lennon has spent the last 30 years working as a Registered nurse, with a specific practice as a Certified Holistic Nurse.  Desire for alternative care options for the underserved prompted training and certification in Ayurveda, under the guidance of Dr. David Frawley in Southern India. This was followed by multiple trainings in Buddhist meditation modalities and Yoga Alliance teacher training. Most recently she has become a certified Death Doula and has a keen interest in this important part of the life process. In present employ she facilitates a meditation series for the patient population she serves. An active member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine she dreams of partnering with like-minded individuals to collaborate in changing the face of healthcare, providing patients with more a meaningful right of decision process. Mother of four, and sister of a long-time member of the Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, she has witnessed the Quaker Way in action. With much respect and deep reverence, she is eager to explore this end of life topic, garnering a Quaker insight, while growing in understanding of all that this walk has to offer.

The development of the Aging, Death, and Dying eRetreat was made possible through the generous support of the Friends Foundation for the Aging.

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