Summer Fallow Retreat (U.S.)

We’re heading back to Lancaster for our summer listening retreat! This carefully curated weekend of rest includes times alone and times together, designed to give you the space to slow down and the structure to process the rapidly moving pieces of your life. The primary goal of our seasonal retreats is to help you discern God’s voice above all other voices in your life, empowering you to confidently move forward in your calling.

Our annual retreat rhythm each summer is a FALLOW RETREAT: We have 44 hours to put on pause all external pressures, deadlines, and expectations and allow yourself to lay fallow. This means intentional un-productivity and instead allowing yourself the time to do the things that you enjoy, things that normally get pushed aside or that you would feel guilty doing because of all of life’s exigencies. This weekend is a balcony moment, a chance to step out of your regular routines of busy-ness and intentionally practice inactivity to restore the unseen places of our lives.

Just as the flourishing of a tree is dependent upon the health of its roots and soil, so too are work and spirituality interconnected and interdependent. Spirituality is the root system from which our work arises. Our hope for each retreat experience is that your inner spirit might be expanded with new hope, reviving your work with love.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

• Thur July 23, 4:30-9:30p: Arrival Hour and Welcome Dinner, check-in available anytime after 4pm.
• Fri July 24, 8:30a-9:30p: Entire Sabbath day as structured by you with recommended guidance provided. Includes a visit to Lancaster’s historic Central Market.
• Sat July 25, 8:30a-11:45a: Morning Listening and Stillness, departure before lunch.

COST: Choose your Tier – A Pricing Model Rooted in Generosity & Relationship

At Goldenwood, we believe in a gift economy—where our work and giving is not transactional but part of a relational and generative system. Like a root network, where some trees bear more fruit in one season and others in another, this pricing approach allows for a shared ecosystem of flourishing—some contribute more so that others may receive, and all are sustained together.

Our tiered pricing model reflects this, allowing participants to contribute at a level that aligns with their capacity while supporting the mission to see work revived by love. We invite you to participate in a way that reflects your own season and capacity.

1. Full Value (Sustainable Tier) – $475 + accommodations
Reflects the true cost and value—while balancing affordability—including the unseen work that makes this a meaningful and transformative experience. Includes meals, retreat sessions & materials. Does not include lodging; see info below.

2. Covering Costs (Supported Tier) – $375 + accommodations
Covers only the essentials—venues, facilitators, meals, materials—ensuring the program is financially viable. Includes meals, retreat sessions & materials. Does not include lodging; see info below.

3. Generative Giving – $575 (or choose amount) + accommodations
Goes beyond covering costs, helping make our programs accessible to others and investing in the long-term flourishing of this work. Includes meals, retreat sessions & materials. Does not include lodging; see info below.

Overnight Accommodations

All participants will stay in our retreat housing, either on site or at a nearby Airbnb. During registration you will have the option to secure either a single occupancy room (@ $276 for 2 nights) or shared / double occupancy room (@ $138 for 2 nights), based on your preference and availability. If attending as a couple, please register each person individually, with both selecting the shared / double occupancy room option. Please email info@goldenwoodnyc.org if you have any questions.

REGISTRATION: Due to the limited space available and uniqueness of lodging arrangements, please email us to confirm your spot and we’ll send you the link.

*Your retreat registration includes two breakfasts, two dinners, and one lunch, plenteous beverages and snacks, and all retreat materials. Additional costs for those staying offsite at an Airbnb (we have 2 nearby homes on hold that can be shared) or local hotel (book your own room at the Doubletree by Hilton Lancaster).

Getting there: Lancaster (LNC) is accessible either by car or by train via Amtrak from NY Penn Station (NYP) or Newark International Airport (EWR). The retreat venue is approx. 20 min drive from the Lancaster Train Station. Ubers are available. Feel free to email us for any transportation assistance.

This is our regular location for Goldenwood’s Summer Listening Retreats; we will provide you with guided recommendations to help you craft a weekend of stillness and quiet.