A joy-filled weekend and an invitation into beauty, creativity, and connection
Gathered at a lakeside lodge in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by pine trees, mountain vistas, and open sky, a group of about twenty people stepped into a slower rhythm together. The setting itself offered a kind of quiet welcome, drawing us into attentiveness and wonder.
The retreat was led by Shann Ray Ferch, an award-winning poet, teacher, and scholar of leadership and forgiveness whose work weaves together art, reconciliation, and the sacred dimensions of human experience. With wisdom and humility, Shann guided each session, inviting participants into poetry as both a creative practice and a form of deep listening. Jennifer Ferch opened each gathering by performing poems from memory, an offering that grounded our time in presence and beauty. Through a blend of instruction, exercises, music, and film, participants were gently led into forms of expression that felt both accessible and expansive, especially for those who may not have considered themselves “poets.” By the weekend’s end, notebooks held a wealth of titles, fragments, and the beginnings of 4-5 poems, along with a growing sense of how to shape language with clarity, intention, and care.
Jennifer also guided the relational rhythm of the retreat, especially during shared meals, helping to cultivate a space of genuine connection and belonging. Around the table and in conversation, a sense of community took root—marked by warmth, attentiveness, and a spirit of welcome that allowed each person to arrive just as they were.
On Saturday evening, we watched The Tree of Life, a film rich with visual and sacred poetry. Some stayed afterward for conversation, reflecting on its imagery and themes. At other points throughout the weekend, participants stepped out into the landscape to hike nearby trails, sit quietly by the water, or cross the suspension bridge to explore the rocks of Monkey Island. These moments of movement and reflection became an extension of the creative process, inviting a deeper noticing of the world around us.
One of the most meaningful practices to emerge was what Jennifer called “the gift of the spotlight.” Together, we named and honored the gifts we saw in one another, creating an atmosphere where people felt safe and truly seen. Again and again, we found ourselves pausing—to notice the boy swallows overhead, the stillness of the lake, and the simple delight of homemade breads and desserts shared together.
It was a weekend shaped by generosity, discovery, and quiet joy. At its heart, this is the kind of space Goldenwood seeks to offer—where people can reconnect with their creativity, with one another, and with the deeper currents of meaning and beauty in their lives. We are deeply grateful to each person who joined us and look forward to gathering again in the Pacific Northwest.
