My mission is to offer women and men of all ages the opportunity to come away to a safe, sacred space to reflect on our relationship with our Loving Creator.  To listen for the still, small voice of God.  To welcome the Lord into every moment of our lives. Refreshed and renewed by God’s gentle grace, participants will leave these retreats affirmed by God’s unconditional love, ready to continue their faith journey, and to answer the call of God, wherever it may lead.

All of my programs are designed to be two hours in length but can easily be expanded to a half-day or full-day retreat and are composed of presentations, prayer, ritual, music, quiet reflection, and optional group sharing.

LISTEN TO AN EXCERPT FROM ONE OF MY TALKS:

RETREAT TOPICS:

Creating Space for Grace
Today we are all pulled in a million different directions. Always on the go, we are doers and nurturers. This hectic pace can make it difficult to listen for the voice of God. We need time. We need quiet. We need a safe, sacred space free from distraction. We need to stand still long enough to be found. God’s grace is our gift for the taking if we can only make room to receive it. You are invited to reflect on ways you can create space for God to enter your life fully and completely.

Love Beyond Measure
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son… (John 3:16) How often do we take time to really reflect on the amazing power of God’s love? A love that is all-encompassing, gentle, merciful, and challenging. A love that heals us when we are broken. A love that forgives unconditionally. And most importantly, a love that does not test or measure. Through reflections on the broken and shared body of Christ and the Prodigal Son, this program invites you to lay down your burdens and surrender your flaws, as you gain an understanding of how deeply and individually you are loved by our Divine Creator.

Praising God in the Storm
Have there been times when you’ve felt like God was very far away? Have you struggled with praising God while bearing the weight of so many burdens? During times of suffering, you are encouraged to lift your eyes to the LORD… the “Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121) and to recognize that God is there with us in the midst of every storm.  Reflecting on Scripture from the Psalms and from the Gospels, you will be encouraged to answer the question: What does it really mean to trust God? By acknowledging your fears and worries and releasing them, you will discover that God is not far away at all.

Images of God
The Book of Genesis tells us that we were created in God’s image. When you close your eyes and picture God, what do you see? Our image of God affects the way we view ourselves, the way we interact with others, and the way we see the world around us. You’re invited to spend an evening reflecting on your personal images of God and how they were shaped by your own story. The Bible contains some beautiful imagery for God, yet no single metaphor can capture all of who God is. This program will expand on four of these images and how they might inform and inspire our faith: God as Light, God as our Shepherd, God as our Rock, and God as Living Water.

Mary or Martha? Living a Balanced Life
Spend some time reflecting on these two sisters and close friends of Jesus.  Which one do you identify with the most?  Mary, who sat quietly by Jesus, listening to His every word; or Martha, who busied herself preparing and serving her important guest. Take my personality “quiz” to find out if you’re a “Mary” or a “Martha.”  Which one do you wish you could be more like?  Is it possible to have a little bit of both Mary and Martha dwelling within you? During this program, we’ll examine the Scripture from the perspectives of Mary, Martha, and Jesus. Through presentations, reflection, and optional sharing, we’ll examine the barriers to living a balanced life… a life that Jesus would want for us.

Come Follow Me
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19). When you hear the familiar story of Jesus calling his disciples to fulfill their sacred destiny… do you find yourself asking the age-old question: What is my purpose in life? In this program you are invited to reflect on your life’s “little journeys” as well as the obstacles that may be preventing you from answering the call of God. The Holy Spirit speaks to your heart, and you are being called in unique ways to carry the light of Jesus to the world. Discover your place in the Father’s design… and come take your place.

Taking Jesus to the Mall: An Advent Retreat for Women
We are told that Advent is a time of quiet hope.  A season of waiting in the stillness. How can we reconcile this with the busyness and stress that lead up to our Christmas celebrations?  Are we turning away from God each time we go shopping or plan a party? Not at all!  In this program we’ll explore the possibility of waiting for Jesus amidst the daily hustle and bustle of the season.  See how everything you do in the month of December can become an act of prayer.  Discover ways to look for Jesus within the most hectic of days.  Dive into your holiday preparations with a sense of building excitement for the coming of our Savior.

Mary’s Yes
I am the Lord’s Servant. May it be to me as you have said. (Luke 1:38) Mary’s response to God’s invitation brought Christ into the world and changed our lives forever.  What courage and faith it must have taken to say “yes”—an act of complete surrender to God’s will.  In doing so, Mary shows us what our response to God’s call should be.  During this Advent season, reflect on the ways in which God is inviting you into an intimate relationship with Him.  By responding with our own “yes” we are bringing Christ into the world every day.

Nourishing Your Spirit
We see our doctor for regular health visits for our bodies, but when is the last time you had a “check-up” for your soul? Spend some time nourishing your spirit and learning strategies for focusing on the truly essential.  You’ll have the opportunity to take a “spirit assessment” and see what it reveals about your wellness of spirit.   We’ll take a look at life factors that have shaped our own definitions of spirituality as well as roadblocks that get in the way of nourishing our spirits. We’ll explore a variety of strategies including meditation, silence, ritual, and the sharing of stories.