Institute Retreat | Annual Fallow in Cambridge, England

When: Tues May 13 (arrive between 3 and 5pm) – Fri May 16 (end 12:30pm), 2025

Location: Cambridge, UK. All group sessions held at Jesus College.

Joined by the Goldenwood staff, Board, and Deans, this unique 4-day experience represents an annual rhythm of the Goldenwood Institute. Enjoy highlights and photos from 2024: “Slowing Down, Cultivating Community, Enlivening Work”

What is a Fallow Retreat?

The essence of a fallow retreat lies in embracing the inherent value of rest and recognizing that seasons of non-productivity can be essential for long-term

growth and sustainability. Inspired by the agricultural practice of allowing land to lie fallow and rest, our hope is for you to experience a deep sense of replenishment, inspiration, and reawakening, ultimately leading to greater productivity, creativity, and spiritual vitality in the seasons to come.

Goldenwood is committed to creating this space and time annually to remember what we’ve forgotten about who we are, what we’ve been created for, and who we are becoming.

Why Fallow?

• For the “over”worked (those who find themselves in seasons of great responsibility and limited margin): fallowing increases your capacity towardsgreater fruitfulness.
• For the “under”worked (those in seasons of transition, underemployment, or retirement): fallowing opens up space for the soil to be tilled, for new seeds to be planted for future realities yet to be seen.

Included in your cost:

• Three nights lodging in clean, simple rooms on the beautiful grounds of Jesus College.* (Single, double, or family occupancy available.)
• Breakfast each morning onsite for those lodging at Jesus College
• 1-2 group meals, including celebratory culminating group dinner onsite at Jesus College
• Guidance for times of spiritual reflection and renewal, individually and communally led by David Kim and Amilee Watkins
• Stimulating morning conversations with the Goldenwood Institute Deans, Makoto Fujimura, Sandra McCracken Nicholson, Haejin Shim Fujimura
• Poetry and Prayers led by special guest and Goldenwood Board Chair, Shann Ray, Poet and Professor of Leadership and Forgiveness Studies
• Multimedia conversation and performance from honored guest, Theologian and Musician Jeremy Begbie.

COST:

• Individual (1 room, Single occupancy, private bath): $1900 onsite / $1100 offsite {Collective Members: $1600 / $900}
• Couple (1 room with 1 bed, Double occupancy, private bath): $2500 onsite / $1750 offsite {Collective Members: $2100 / $1500}
• Family (Assumes 2 adults + child, 1 Queen + 1 sofabed, private bath): $2800 onsite {Collective Members: $2400}

A non-refundable deposit of 1/3 your total amount is required upon registration to secure your spot, with the remaining balance due by Mar 30th. Rooms at Jesus College are available on a first come first serve basis.*

*For offsite lodging alternatives: Check out the University Arms Hotel (a Marriott Bonvoy hotel) or the Hilton Cambridge City Center for those who may have & wish to book with points. The Fellows House by Hilton, The Varsity Hotel, and Arundel House Hotel are also within close walking distance from Jesus college. There may be other lower-priced accommodations in the area as well. See booking.com to explore current rates and proximity (including helpful walking estimates!) to Jesus College.

INTERESTED? Space is limited for this retreat. Please sign-up below to receive registration details! We look forward to returning to Cambridge and invite you to join us! 

UPDATED Travel Note as of Feb 2025: All visitors traveling to the UK now need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). While this should be fairly painless and can be done digitally, it does require an extra step before traveling. Here is the guidance on how to apply.