A.R.E. Congress 2009

JOIN US     "Welcome Home" Wine and Cheese Party     Labyrinth Workshop     Dolphin Cruise     Auction Night FUNraising     Cabaret Night

The theme of Congress 2009 is Sacred Mystery; Coming Home to Self. What is this sacred mystery? And what self are we coming home to?

According to Edgar Cayce we are individuated, unique sparks of the Divine. In the language of the readings, this is the "Christ Consciousness" imprinted in all our hearts, waiting to be awakened. If this is so, then our work is to experience this in our daily lives. Ancient traditions have provided a variety of tools and techniques to experience our connection to Divinity in ourselves and in others, and Congress 2009 gives us an opportunity to explore some of them.

On Saturday, June 20th, Congress will begin with a wine and cheese "Welcome Home" party, featuring a special presentation by pianist June Bro and her daughter Pamela Ann Bro, pastor of Living Waters Sanctuary. The concert program, which includes scripture passages as well as quotations from the Cayce readings about the birth of Jesus, will use music to celebrate the birth of the Christ within each of us.

On Sunday morning, Peter Van Daam will present his workshop Pathways for Allowing Wholeness, an overview of the week's theme designed to help shift our perspectives about ourselves. Peter says, "In the understanding and application of the principles found in the Edgar Cayce readings, we are encouraged to build a personal and practical philosophy for living which helps us awaken a working relationship with the Creative Forces."

After lunch on Sunday, Elizabeth Waitekus will lead a workshop on the labyrinth where we will continue to explore a deeper knowing of ourselves through this walking meditation. Elizabeth describes this as "a pilgrimage to the Divine within and a tool for deeper self-knowledge, healing, and transformation."

The theme continues on Sunday night, beginning with Sacred Dance and Shared Meditation by Elizabeth Waitekus and the Temple Dancers. Then A.R.E. Executive Director and CEO, Kevin J. Todeschi, will discuss the interactive nature of the Akashic Records and how they contain a record of our past, including past lives; bring us to experiences in the present that we require for our soul's growth and development; and embody an ever-changing array of probable futures.

Through the rest of the Congress week, we will experience and explore ways to nurture and strengthen this Christ consciousness within each of us with a series of workshops, sharing groups, and other activities. Each weekday begins with the Youth Congress scholarship fundraiser breakfast, followed by presentations and updates from the Board of Trustees (Monday) and various A.R.E. departments. Board members will be available for lunch on Monday, and V.I.P. lunches with popular speakers and authors will be available the rest of the week.

After lunch, a variety of workshops will be offered to uplift and enlighten, including deeper meditation, setting ideals, the Cayce diet, and Where did You Find God this Week, a photography workshop designed to help you see and capture the many faces of God that cross your path. Bring a camera, digital if possible, to share your discoveries in a closing ceremony slide show. At the end of each day, the "Cayce Café" will provide snacks, beverages, music, and an open microphone so conferees can relax, unwind, and socialize.

On Monday night, John Van Auken will speak on the Mystery of the Kingdom Within. The Dolphin Cruise is back by popular demand; tickets are $25 per person and the boat will leave Rudee Inlet at 2 pm on Tuesday. The annual FUNdraising auction party will be Tuesday night and everyone is encouraged to bring or send gently used or new items for the live and silent auctions, then come and look for a bargain.

On Wednesday, Cabaret Night will combine the traditional Social with Talent Night as an expanded version of the Cayce Café. All are encouraged to share their special talents by bringing musical instruments, poetry, songs, or humorous presentations. Congress will end at 5 pm Thursday with the closing ceremony and slide show.

The registration fee does not include lodging, but the A.R.E. has made arrangements for Congress attendees at the Wyndham Virginia Beach, 57th Street & Atlantic Avenue. The hotel is located 10 blocks from the A.R.E. and provides free shuttles to and from HQ. For reservations, call toll-free 800-365-3032, and be sure to tell them you are attending an A.R.E. conference. Alternate hotel and lodging information is available upon request when you register for Congress.