Why we created a rhythm of retreat
As part of Lakeland Community's "At the Well" Women's Ministry, we help women create a rhythm of life that deepens and grows a more consistent connection to God (abide).
We do this by providing a safe environment for women to connect with God and experience transformation through the spiritual discipline of solitude and silence as a community.
As part of Lakeland Community's "At the Well" Women's Ministry, we help women create a rhythm of life that deepens and grows a more consistent connection to God (abide).
We do this by providing a safe environment for women to connect with God and experience transformation through the spiritual discipline of solitude and silence as a community.
Abide in Me, and I in you
As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
Anchor your journey
Grow closer to God through a regular practice of solitude & silence
Our lives are so busy. So demanding. The world is loud. Noisy. Time passes quickly, and we get caught up in the rush of life and without even realizing it can find ourselves adrift. Distracted. Too full. Too empty.
Grow closer to God through a regular practice of solitude & silence
Our lives are so busy. So demanding. The world is loud. Noisy. Time passes quickly, and we get caught up in the rush of life and without even realizing it can find ourselves adrift. Distracted. Too full. Too empty.
Retreat is a time to separate from all of that. To find quiet and make time to intentionally connect with our source of peace, wisdom, guidance, life. The desert fathers called this "fleeing," though it is not meant as an escape.
The purpose of going away is not to avoid life, it is to find it. The regular, ongoing practice of it helps us ultimately to bring what we remember on retreat into our daily lives - to remain, stay-abide-in, Christ, more.
The purpose of going away is not to avoid life, it is to find it. The regular, ongoing practice of it helps us ultimately to bring what we remember on retreat into our daily lives - to remain, stay-abide-in, Christ, more.
We believe that solitude and silence are necessary to sustain a vibrant Christian life. That we do not transform ourselves, we abide, and in abiding, God transforms us. The discomfort of displacement is a necessary part of the the process, which we also trust that the Holy Spirit works through.
Growing our roots
Letting God bear the fruit
Think of it this way, instead of striving endlessly to shape ourselves into who we want to be, we sink into the soil of solitude and nourish our roots in Jesus. In that quiet space, our growth becomes his work within us. We rest in Him, allowing Him to shape us into who He created us to be. The work we do with our hands then becomes the natural result of listening to his voice and following his lead.
Letting God bear the fruit
Think of it this way, instead of striving endlessly to shape ourselves into who we want to be, we sink into the soil of solitude and nourish our roots in Jesus. In that quiet space, our growth becomes his work within us. We rest in Him, allowing Him to shape us into who He created us to be. The work we do with our hands then becomes the natural result of listening to his voice and following his lead.
Interested in being a part of Women's Contemplative Retreats? Please fill out this interest form and we will contact you soon.