Quarterly Listening Retreats
Spiritual formation is about learning the way of heaven and coming to see reality with one’s heart set firmly in the heavenly country. Heaven breaks into this world through followers of Christ who have been given the Spirit, living out the heavenly life in the here and now.
– Kyle C. Strobel, Formed for the Glory of God
Overview
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. The 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 your calling, with faith and trust in His abounding love and grace.
If you can’t join us in-person, our new hybrid model offers vibrant guided experiences to your local community right where you are. Gather a few others in your spiritual community to join you in this seasonal practice and let Goldenwood be your guide. The retreat experience curates a mix of individual and communal exercises over the course of a Friday night into Saturday, with expertly-crafted guidance for times alone and times together. Outside of the delineated sessions, the time is your own–to have meals together, get some exercise, spend time with your family, or enjoy other life-giving practices that refuel you.
Retreat Elements
We believe retreats should not only be restful, 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:
Upcoming Dates
- Winter 2023: Jan 6-7, From Fast to Feast: Nourishing Body + Soul (in-person, in NYC)
- Spring 2023: May 5-7, Healing Work Wounds: A Communal Kintsugi Experience (in-person, Princeton, NJ)
- Summer 2023: July 21-23, Annual Fallow Retreat (in-person, in Lancaster, PA.)
- Fall 2023: Nov 3-5 (in-person, in Princeton NJ)
- Spring 2024: May 15-18, Institute Launch Retreat in Cambridge, UK (FULL. Email to join waitlist)
- Summer 2024: July 19-21 Annual Fallow Retreat in Lancaster, PA (Space limited. Email to express interest.)
While each retreat stands alone, the full impact of this quarterly rhythm emerges when integrated as a regular practice across the entirety of the year. *Annually, each summer, rather than looking back on the past quarter, we focus on looking forward to receive new vision for the year ahead.
Stillness to Listen
Learning to hear God begins with attentive listening. We design creative opportunities throughout the retreat to listen to our Triune God, expanding our imaginations to know His loving presence.
Guided Processing
Through a guided discovery process, you will look back on the past quarter to consider the questions you’ve been asking and determine one key question to focus on over the course of the weekend.
Life Discernment
Times of guided reflection, paired conversation, and communal prayer will help tune your ears to hear the distinctiveness of God’s call above the many other competing voices in your life.
Calling Alignment
Innovative exercises and workshops allow you to digest what you are hearing and develop intentionality in your response to God’s voice, leading to spiritual vitality for the whole of your life.
July 19-21, 2024 | Lancaster, PA
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.
LOCATION:
Lancaster, PA
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
> Friday July 19, 7:00p-9:30pm: Welcome Dinner, check-in available anytime after 4pm.
> Saturday July 20: Entire Sabbath day, guidance for spiritual practices provided.
> Sunday July 21: Morning Listening and Stillness, Depart midday.
COST: $375 per person* / $500 married couples*
*Your retreat registration includes two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners, plenteous beverages and snacks, and all retreat materials. Additional costs for those staying offsite at Airbnb (2 homes reserved) or Hotel (rooming block available). Email info@goldenwoodnyc.org for details.
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. 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. Feel free to email info@goldenwoodnyc.org for any transportation assistance.
About Re-well:
Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it!
“One of the most powerful things was this radical idea of prayer, focusing on processing Scripture in fellowship, in this community of prayer–it reminded me of what the early church must have been like. I needed the tools to find rest, to see God, to pray, and the retreat was a great way to do that.”
Data Scientist
“I wish I could say I was praying like this with others all the time but I wasn’t. As a former pastor of 10 years, the practices during this retreat are fundamental and even basic to our Christian life, but I think a lot of people are missing out on the joy of being in intimacy with others and the Holy Spirit…There’s not many places where you can learn how to depend upon and wrestle with the Holy Spirit. These retreats are one of those few special places and I’m very thankful for that.”
Ministry Leader
“So many retreats are like drinking out of a fire hydrant, and I walk away exhausted and with so much content in my brain… but this experience revolves around connection and learning how to be–to be with myself, to be with God, to be with others–and learning to listen, to hear God’s voice and distinguish His tone, to have space and be in God’s presence.”
Entrepreneur, Author