FALL CAMP 2025 WORKSHOPS
CHAIR EXERCISE – Susan Goff
Who knew that our retired Bishop of Virginia is now a YMCA-certified exercise leader! Join
Bishop Susan in the Ball Room for some gentle exercise.
CYBERSECURITY TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION SAFE – Edna Reid
With the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) in our everyday lives, this interactive workshop focuses on cybersecurity threats and tips for safeguarding your personal information. It highlights actionable steps to minimize risks.
To participate in this workshop, your laptop, iPad, or smartphone are not required.
Dr. Edna Reid is a retired FBI analyst and associate professor at James Madison University (JMU) who specializes in cyber intelligence. Cyber intelligence is the analysis of information about cybersecurity threats and cybersecurity adversaries to support situational awareness and decision making.
THE MAGIC OF MUSIC:
How Therapeutic Harp Music Can Heal Body, Mind, and Soul – Debby Hix
Music is magic! We’ve all had musical experiences that were, indeed, magical. In this workshop, we will overview the emerging field of music-medicine and discuss the profound physiological, mental/emotional, and spiritual healing effects of live music on the human body. We will also talk about the increasing scientific evidence behind live therapeutic music, playing one-on-one at bedside for ill and dying patients, and how to choose the most appropriate music based on patient condition. We will present some beautiful stories from 25 years of personal experiences playing the Celtic harp
at bedside, and of course we will play lots of healing therapeutic music!
CREATE A COLLAGE – Susan Goff
Create a collage with your favorite colors, categories of images, or just your free spirit. Use the supplies provided or bring your own piece of inspiration.
MATTHEW’S ADDITIONS TO THE GOSPEL OF MARK – Martin Townsend
In our three-year cycle of Eucharistic Gospel readings we focus on each Gospel in
turn. The year of Matthew begins on the First Sunday in Advent, November 30,
2025. In his Gospel, Matthew uses about 90% of Mark’ writing. How can we best
appreciate Matthew’s additions and subtractions to the earlier work? Each of the
evangelists had a particular reason for writing – a point of emphasis – that was
relevant to the specific Christian community for which they were writing.
This single session workshop will begin with an overview of the sources and
different points of view of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, all written decades into the
Christian era. My favorite Gospel, Mark, the earliest, was written around 70 CE.
It’s raw edges and blunt ending are, for me, part of its excitement and appeal. We
will explore how Matthew differs from his Markan source, notably in the inclusion
of the narrative of Jesus’ birth and the accounts of the Resurrection. Why do those
stories seem to be unknown to Mark? And to Paul?
Participants are encouraged to bring questions, puzzlements, and a Bible. (The
New Oxford Annotated NRSV is recommended. At $42, the hardcover edition is
worth the bucks. The paperback does not hold up well.)
MINDFULNESS:
A two session workshop focusing on self-care – Obie Sue Thomas and Marian Windel
Session One: Come and explore the practice of mindfulness focusing on being fully present and engaged in the moment, aware of thoughts and feelings without distraction or judgment. Learn of the many benefits from practicing mindfulness.
Session Two: Mindfulness and using the labyrinth. Walking the labyrinth is an ancient practice that provides many health benefits. You may want to walk the one placed on the floor, or follow the path with your finger on a paper copy.
CENTERING PRAYER – Angier Brock
Centering Prayer is a method of wordless contemplative prayer with roots in ancient Christian Spirituality. Its genius in today’s busy world is that it provides a concrete way to practice trusting God. It also gives us a much-needed break from the inner and outer voices that compete for our attention. This workshop will introduce the basic elements of Centering Prayer and also provide a Centering Prayer experience.
ARCHERY – Melissa Hartman
Ever wanted to learn to use a bow and arrow? The Archery Workshop offers the opportunity to learn or sharpen your skills with Melissa. Melissa was taught by her mother, Sylvia Wall, who was an instructor certified by USA Archery and the National Field Archery Association, and Fall Camp’s archery workshop leader for many years. You can participate in this workshop even if you can’t stand up!
LOVING GOD’S CREATION – Salli Hartman
In this workshop we will take a look at hymns, scripture and poetry to find images and
words to help us see how God sees the creation that God said was good. These images
and words will give us ways to talk about caring for our wonderful world and provide
ways we can pray for the world we all call home.
TREE INDENTIFICATION – Chris Bryant
This workshop will begin with a talk on how to identify trees by their leaves, fruit, bark and flowers. We will follow with a walk around the upper road and pond to look at trees and their characteristics that are used in identification. Please bring a Tree ID book if you have one, but its not necessary for participation in this workshop.
PUMPKIN CARVING – Stuffy Weekley
Halloween, the holiday for pumpkin carving, approaches this month. Come and learn about this ancient Celtic tradition and try your hand at creating a “Jack-O’-Lantern. The workshop will accommodate 15 and all supplies will be furnished.
COLORING TO SOFT – MUSIC Toni Hogg
Join with others for a quiet time of coloring while listening to soothing music. Pictures to choose from and coloring pens will be provided.
SOWING SEEDS OF HOPE – A New Look at Advent – Sister Carrine & Sister Mary B
Did you enjoy the scenic drive to Shrine Mont this year? Besides the colorful foliage, you might also have come upon some hugh tractors rolling across the fields harvesting the gifts of spring plantings and summer toil.
In other fields, you may have seen plows crawling across the fields to dig up, turn over, and then turn under the furrows, readying the soil to receive seeds of hope for the next harvest of winter wheat.
Likewise, we will soon turn our sights to ponder Advent approaching with all its hectic demands! Might this be our time to turn up and smooth out our rough edges so God’s planted seeds can take root in our hearts this Advent as Mary did, who received God’s seed of hope with fresh eyes and a willing heart.
Come explore the “Seeds of Hope” God may want to plant in your heart as you “prepare the way of the Lord’s coming”. We will provide an opportunity for you to plant your seeds of hope (literally and figuratively). No green thumbs necessary!
FORGIVENESS – Carolyne Ashton
Forgiveness is something we all must experience in our lives, whether it involves forgiving someone else, forgiving ourselves, or asking forgiveness from another. In this workshop, we will examine forgiveness through the lens of biblical messages , our own stories, and other sources. Sharing will be at your comfort level. No matter your level of participation, you will learn something about what it means to forgive.
PRAYING THROUGH ICONOGRAPHY – Mary Thorpe
Experience the spiritual power of Orthodox icons! Explore the history of iconography, the hidden meanings, the surprises that each icon brings, and the varied theological views of encountering this form of art/prayer.
The Rev. Canon Mary Brennan Thorpe has been an iconographer for close to thirty years, working in traditional egg tempera with Irina Beliakova and in acrylics with Teresa Harrison. Her work has been informed by the theological writings of Kallistos Ware and Pavel Florensky. Her icons have been commissioned for churches across the US, the British Isles, and Europe.
JUST A BITE! A workshop for tasting and sharing – Barbara Fischer
You can be among the first to sample a variety of tasty nibbles for Fall Camp Happy Half-Hour. Participants will assist with the preparation of appetizers soon to be enjoyed by everyone. A collection of the recipes will also be provided.
Limited to 20 participants
YOGA – Mary Neal
This workshop will incorporate basic yoga with stretching to improve flexibility. Bring a yoga mat or use a chair. Soothing music will be played in the background. This session will last 45 minutes to an hour.
CREATE A GREETING CARD – Loretta Mann
Create a greeting card using a provided pattern and brightly colored thread.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FILM SHOWING AND DISCUSSION – John Gilliom
We live in an age of widespread confusion among professed Christians about how to to be a follower of Christ. Some emphasize righteousness and justice; others, love and kindness. The 1980 film, Resurrection, is a somewhat dark exploration of the this theme. Ellen Burstyn’s character is resuscitated after a fatal car crash and a brief experience of eternal life. The miraculous gift of healing she receives is challenged, leading to conflict over what it means to serve the Lord and then to a heart-warming conclusion.