Program on November 17, 12 noon

At the AECenter

Writing Retreat for the Wandering Soul

Mike Allwein recently returned from an 18-day writing retreat in Ireland.  This was the perfect time when the veil between worlds—new and old, material and spiritual, water and land, castle and cottage—thins.  This time in Ireland was a “thin” place for the juxtaposition of these worlds.  Mike spent one week in the enchanting magnificence of Clontarf Castle in Dublin, several days in culture-packed Skeffington Arms in Galway, and a final week in the unpretentious charm of Kilmurvey House on the fabled island of Inis Mor (Irishmore), one of the Aran Islands off the Irish west coast.  Mike will share memories from his journal–heart, mind, soul–brought back from this time of retreat into that part of himself where the writing life springs up with a gentle urgency.  At least one shared journal entry from this time away seems to be most appropriate at this time!

Mike’s Biography:

Mike Allwein and his wife, Lois, have lived in Gettysburg for nearly 20 years.  They have two grown sons, a daughter-in-law, two grandsons and one granddaughter.  Mike is pastor emeritus from St. James Lutheran Church, where he served the congregation and this community for 18 years.  Mike holds a BS in Secondary English Education and an MS in Mental Health Counseling, as well as an M.Divinity degree.  He is a Board Certified Counselor and a Certified Spiritual Director.

Mike spends as much time as possible on the tennis courts, loves to ride bike, and attends to his garden daily.  Mike loves living in Gettysburg because of its exciting vitality, providing numerous possibilities for continued growth and creative learning. He continues to be involved in the local area in ways that support our elected leadership as well as our volunteer leaders in this community.