Exile and Coming Home:
An Archetypal Journey through the Scriptures

The scriptures can seem foreign and out of date to modern readers. The Bible is often ignored, misused, or abused even by those who claim it as their own sacred text. And yet, beneath all its modern baggage, it holds great sacred truths. Only through careful reading and reflection can we find a deeper kinship with our spiritual ancestors. It is time to put aside what we think we know and read again with fresh eyes what the scriptures have to teach us.

This six-week course will explore the universal experiences of exile and return home again through personal reflection on the stories of several Biblical figures and Psalms. These offer invitations into different archetypal themes of what it means to live meaningfully as a contemplative and creative person in the world. How might these potent stories and ancient prayers from the Hebrew Scriptures deepen our journey into becoming monks in the world and artists of everyday life?

Each week we will explore a different theme which break open the great archetypal themes of exile and coming home at the heart of the scriptures, a male and female voice from scripture, and a Psalm which deepens our understanding of the theme, connecting our prayers to the great lineage of monastic tradition.

The course includes reflections by John Valters Paintner, Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, and Ronna Detrick whose passions are the wisdom of the Scriptures for our world today, as well as nine Psalm-based songs by Richard. Roy DeLeon will be inviting you into a gentle movement prayer for the week's psalm, to explore its meaning in an embodied way.

Each week you will be invited into reading, questions to ponder, the practice of lectio divina, and creative invitations through movement prayer.

Do you long for ways to enter more mindfully into this holy time of year?  Are there stories you would like to remember and honor?

1. No refunds are provided for online program registrations. Please consider your purchase carefully and review the many free materials we have on our website to make sure the program will be a good fit or get in touch with any questions.
2. You will have access to all the program materials for the lifetime of this website.
3. The registration fee is per person; we ask that you honor our work by not sharing the program materials with others who are not enrolled.
4. All materials presented in our online programs are copyright. Please contact us for permission to quote in settings beyond the program.
5. Some self-study retreats include video or audio recordings of session that were recorded in a live community offering of the retreat and may make reference to forums or other modes of sharing. Please disregard these as self-study retreats do not have these available.
6. All fees include VAT where applicable.
7. If you need a payment plan or a more of a scholarship to make this program accessible, please get in touch with us. Small group discounts are also available.

Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, MA
Richard is a freelancing Psalmist-- studying, teaching and singing the Psalms. Besides his passion for music and spirituality, he also enjoys dumb jokes, Star Wars, blue, mango lassi, naps and the Beatles. He completed his M.A. in Theology and the Arts from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, and brings his gifts as a liturgical theologian, spiritual director, worship leader and music publisher. He lives with his wife Trish and son Sam in Strawberry Point, Iowa.  Be welcome at PsalmImmersion.com and Worldmaking.net.

Ronna Detrick, MDiv
Ronna confesses that she is completely intoxicated with women's stories (particularly those in Scripture). She believes the world is praying for a deeper, richer wisdom: a prayer answered swiftly and powerfully through women's incarnate brilliance and beauty. Ronna is writing a book that re-tells the ancient, sacred narratives of women in empowered, relevant ways; inviting their stories to be seen as powerful archetypes that still speak today.  Subscribe to her writing. Listen to her TEDxWomen Talk about Eve. Learn more about her products and courses. And sign up to receive a free weekly Blessing - written/spoken in the voice of one of the women's stories Ronna loves and honors.

Roy Deleon
Roy is an oblate of St Benedict with St Placid Priory in Lacey, WA. He facilitates workshops and retreats on expressive prayer and yoga. He works as a graphic designer and illustrator. In 2009, Paraclete Press published Praying with the Body: Bringing the Psalms to Life. He has conducted numerous workshops at the L.A. Religious Congress. Roy’s website and his visual blog, expressiveprayer.blogspot.com, offer useful information for those who desire an inspired prayer life.

John Valters Paintner, MTS
John studied education and earned a teaching certificate in his home state of California.  John later went on to earn a Masters in Theological Studies at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley.  After working in parish ministry for several years, John returned to the classroom, teaching high school religion with a focus on the Hebrew Scriptures for twelve years.  After a sabbatical year abroad, John now works as Prior of the Abbey of the Arts along side his wife of twenty years, Abbess Christine, living together in Galway, Ireland. Visit the "About John" page for more information.