He put a new song in my mouth…
Psalm 40:3
We’re taking our quarterly listening retreat on the road this fall and heading to Nashville, TN. Featuring singer-songwriter and Goldenwood Creative Fellow Sandra McCracken, join us for a unique weekend of stillness, story, Scripture, and song to slow down and reconnect to the life-giving voice of our Triune God.
We all need a new song…
With the fall comes a freshness we look forward to, but with all that continues to happen in our world, our lives can feel out of sorts as we try to discern what it means to be a follower of Christ in the midst of Spiritual and global upheaval. The gospel brings to us the promise of not only a new start, but a new world…and songs carry the unexpected power of unveiling that new world breaking in. The Spirit gives to us a new song whose words remind us that we are part of this new creation and whose melody reveals the tone of God’s unrelenting love towards us.
What life-giving voices are we hearing—individually and collectively—that help us process the pain and difficulties we’ve experienced? How can gathering together help us listen for the voice of our Triune God in the darkness? What new song is the Spirit giving us (Psalm 40:3) to infuse our everyday lives with the hope of New Creation?
Whether you’re new to Goldenwood or a long-time friend, whether you work in finance or the arts or anything in between, this retreat is for all of us.
Led by the Goldenwood team including Sandra McCracken and joined by several other friends* from the Nashville songwriting community, you can expect an expertly crafted time of rest and renewal that sends you back out with new vision and new hope for the calling you’ve received.
We believe retreats should not only be revitalizing, but allow you to hear God’s voice and direction more clearly, weaving together time alone and with others. The following elements provide the shape for each weekend experience:
- Stillness & Listening to expand our imaginations to see and hear God’s loving presence
- Guided Processing of the past season to notice all that we leave unattended to in the busyness of our external lives
- Curated Conversations in Pairs and Quads to tune your ears to God’s call through an intentional practice of listening prayer on behalf of one another
- Innovative Exercises and Workshops to digest what you are hearing and develop intentional responses that impact your daily calling
*Additional guest artists to be announced…
LOCATION
Nelson Andrews Leadership Center: 3088 Smith Springs Rd, Antioch, TN 37013
[15 minutes from the Nashville Airport]
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY OCT 7
- 7-10pm | Dinner and Opening session
SATURDAY OCT 8
- 9:30am | Morning Session
- 12:00pm | Lunch
- 1:30pm | Workshops + Free Time (optional activities on-site)
- 4:30pm | Companioning Conversations
- 6:30pm | Dinner
- 8:00pm | Songwriters in the Round (an evening performance)
SUNDAY OCT 9
- 9:30am | Listening Quads
- 11:00am | Closing Session
- 12:30pm | END
LODGING OPTIONS
ONSITE at Nelson Andrews Leadership Lodge (choose when registering):
- Family Lodging: 6 units available on a first come basis, 2 queen beds + 1 twin bunk bed + private bath per unit, Take a Virtual Tour, per family rate includes 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch onsite for 2 adults and children.
- Communal Lodging (Women’s Cabin or Men’s Cabin): 21 beds available per cabin, twin bed + shared baths, Take a Virtual Tour, per person rate includes 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch onsite.
OFFSITE in the surrounding area (choose “No-lodging” when registering):
- Cambria Hotel Nashville Airport: 4.5 stars, 20 min away from venue, right next to airport, ~$204/night standard room
- Sheraton Music City Nashville Airport: 4.2 stars, 20 min away, next to airport, ~$225/night standard room
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites: 4.4 stars, 17 min away from venue, ~$180/night standard room
- + plenty of other hotel options nearby…
COST and REGISTRATION
Early Bird Rates available until Sept 6. (Use code: EARLYBIRD at checkout.) Registration closes September 30.
*For scholarship requests, please email info@goldenwoodnyc.org
THINGS TO DO IN NASHVILLE
If you are joining us from out of town, we hope you’ll plan to stay through Sunday and enjoy more of the culture of Nashville. Stay tuned for recommended activities…
With over 25 years of designing and facilitating retreat experiences, we intentionally craft each moment of these weekends to lead you to the rest we all need. Goldenwood Listening Retreats provide a safe and relaxed environment to process important life issues that often go unaddressed in our hurried lives. Times of solitude and guided group conversations allow you to ask God questions and learn to listen through Scripture, prayer, and the voices of one another. Hearing God’s voice provides the liberating clarity and security to move forward confidently in faith and trust in His abounding love and grace.