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April 29-May 1, 2005
When men grow spiritually in deep and caring ways, our wives, our children, and we ourselves receive enormous and enduring benefits. Indeed, the Universe sings Hallelujah! Conscious, centered men feel better about themselves, find fulfillment in relationships, and work to improve their communities. This joyous duty can be fulfilled in as many unique ways as there are facial hairs. However, finding support for such a journey in the American culture can be a great challenge: stereotypes seem to dominate, seductions call, consumerism distracts, emptiness looms, and we struggle to find our center.
It helps, on occasion, to retreat with other men to sit in a circle, as we’ve done for thousands of years. As we gather together, we will reflect on the threads that weave our lives together to form a tapestry illustrating the vision and power of our future. We will explore issues of intimacy and ultimacy, integrating our inner and outer lives, experiencing the sheer goodness and fun of the company of men.
Together, through talks and dialogue, poetry and song, play and journaling, we will address male dynamics of health, religion, power, violence, aging, mento-ring, and more. We will feed the under-nourished male soul. This retreat, for men of all ages, will be led by two friends, former presidents of the Unitarian Universalist Men’s Network, who have been leading men into greater awareness, effectiveness, and joy for some years and are happy to spend a spring weekend with other men in the very conducive environs of Rowe.
Tom Owen-Towle and his life-mate, Carolyn, were parish co-ministers of First U U Church of San Diego for 24 years. Tom has been involved in men’s soulful growth since 1972, was a founding member of the UU Men’s Network in 1993 and wrote three books on masculine spirituality, including New Men, Deeper Hungers and Save the Males! He is the father of four children and the grandfather of five.
Jaco B. ten Hove and his life-mate, Barbara, are parish co-ministers of Paint Branch U U Church, near Washington, DC. He was a director of Rowe summer youth camps for eight years, began working with men’s groups in 1985, took over the presidency of the UU Men’s Network from Tom in 2001, edits their quarterly journal, “MaleCall,” and recently created a “Resource Packet To Help Congregations Be More Boy-Friendly.”