The Congregation at Duke University Chapel

Friday, May 15 - Sunday, May 17, 2020

Reservations required by March 10, 2020. Two reasons to come to the Overnight Retreat:

1. A weekend on the beach with your church family
2. An opportunity to reflect on hearing, understanding, and responding to God's voice

The Book of Psalms consists of 150 sung poetic prayers that were central to the worship life of ancient Israel. We know that Jesus also quoted from and prayed the Psalms, even from the cross: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 24.66). Our faith as Christians is rooted in the Psalms as well, whenever we cry out to our God in joy, sorrow, grief, or praise and thanksgiving. Join us as we explore the diverse structures and types of Psalms, the history of their use in Jewish and Christian worship, the evolution of their musical settings, and the ways in which our lives of faith are sustained and deepened by the Prayerbook (and Songbook) of the Bible.

This 2020 retreat will be led by Zeb and Amanda Highben.

Dr. Zebulon Highben is a conductor, composer, and scholar of sacred music, who serves as director of Chapel Music at Duke University Chapel. His scholarly output includes two sacred choral anthologies, numerous articles and essays on the practice of church music, and more than fifty published choral and liturgical compositions. Prior to his appointment at the Chapel in 2019, Highben was associate professor of music at Muskingum University and director of music at Trinity United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio. He earned an undergraduate degree in music education from Ohio State University, a master of sacred music degree from Luther Seminary with St. Olaf College, and a doctor of musical arts in conducting from Michigan State University. He is an ordained deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The Rev. Amanda Highben is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Originally from Pittsburgh, P.A., she has served Lutheran and Episcopal congregations in Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio. She holds the M.A. in Christian Education from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN and the M.Div. from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH. Amanda loves to preach and lead Bible study and is passionate about interfaith and ecumenical ministry. In her free time she likes to read, practice yoga, and explore the sights and sounds of Durham.

The retreat will be held at Fort Caswell Coastal Retreat and Conference Center on Oak Island, North Carolina. It is approximately 40 miles south of Wilmington, NC. This retreat center, located at the beach, provides comfortable lodging and many recreational opportunities. In addition to structured learning opportunities for all ages, the retreat will also provide opportunities to relax, while enjoying God's creation.

The retreat will begin Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m., May 16 and conclude after lunch on Sunday, May 17; participants may arrive on Friday night to simply relax.

Please make a reservation for the retreat by March 10, 2020.

Scholarship funds are available for those who need assistance with these expenses. Please note that registration fees are not refundable after March 15.

To register for this retreat, please select the appropriate one of the following four choices for you, and your adult roommate, if applicable:

• I would like a double room for Friday and Saturday nights at the retreat
• I would like a double room for Saturday night only at the retreat
• I would like a single room for Friday and Saturday nights at the retreat
• I would like a single room for Saturday night only at the retreat

Please email the Congregation office or call 919-684-3917 for questions or concerns.