Women's Christian IFS Soul Care Retreat
Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
September 2024
Friday 27th - Sunday 29th
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Email us for more information or if you have questions about the criteria.
[email protected]
Our desire is to provide an intimate gathering of 10 women so we're asking that everyone who is interested in joining us to consider the following criteria for attending.
- No less than 6 months of experience as a client in IFS therapy
- Have recently read or listened to an IFS book
- Interest in growing in your ancient Christian contemplative prayer practices in community with other like-minded women, including the Examen, Lectio Divina, Breath Prayers, etc.
A small group of 10 women will accompany us on a journey toward healing in the beautiful mountains of Virginia. Together we will spend time creating space for the parts of your soul needing attention and care. Our thoughtful, Certified-IFS clinicians will guide you through a weekend of contemplative experiences grounded in the Christian faith. You will have plenty of time to rest and restore by the serene mountain lake, nestled in the mountains while reconnecting with God.
Join us at the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the Peaks of Otter Lodge for a long weekend of rest, reflection, and recreation with yourself, God, and other like-minded women. Nestled in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, there are many opportunities for all fitness levels to soak in God’s beauty.
You will have time to explore the surrounding beauty and the grounds at Peaks of Otter during free time, or before and after the retreat.
- 2-nights in a private, lakefront room
- 7 nutritious and delicious meals that you don't have to cook or clean up!
- Experienced retreat leaders both of whom are Certified IFS Therapists
- Time set apart for deep reflection on the way your parts are in relationship with God
- Outdoor amenities for all fitness levels
- Vista views from the top of the mountains
- Amenities of Peaks of Otter (More Info)
- Fishing (with a valid VA fishing license)
- Nearby campground if you want to travel with friends or family. (We ask that friends and family make accommodations for food and lodging away from the Main Lodge.)
- 10 IFS CE's (pending) for Certified IFS therapists
We will use ancient contemplative practices infused with modern psychology (IFS) to help you restore your soul. Our group time together will include:
- Lectio Divina & The Examen
- Christian Informed IFS experiences such as externalizing parts, inviting in more Self (soaking in the Spirit), getting to know a part of your soul meditation, etc.
- Spirit Stretch & Authentic Movement
- Breath Prayers
- Praying for Parts
- Journaling
- Campfire
- Take a closer look at the flow of the weekend!
COST
$1650
View Payment Options and Cancellation Policy
RETREAT DURATION
The retreat will begin on Friday the 27th at 10am and end on Sunday the 29th at 2pm.
Arrive early at the peaceful Peaks of Otter base camp property to explore the mountains. We will journey our way through the weekend and depart on Sunday after lunch and a closing circle.
FOOD & LODGING
Your 2-night stay will have you lodging in a private room with your own bathroom and a balcony or porch looking out at Sharp Top Mountain towering over the lake view. Linens and towels are provided. Wi-fi is very limited. Our meals will be catered for private dining by the restaurant on-site which is known for their wedding catering. Sample Menus
TRAVEL
Accommodations with Peaks of Otter can be made to stay an extra night on the front and/or back end of the retreat. Down the mountain in Bedford are other in-town overnight accommodations that are a 20-minute drive from the retreat center. We encourage participants to extend their stay to be able to fully enjoy the surrounding beauty.
The grounds at Peaks of Otter are vastly spread out so you will need a car to explore beyond the paved path around the lake and the babbling brook trails & farm trails. The main meeting space is a short walk to your room so you can ditch the car during our main retreat activities :)
FOR THOSE FLYING
You can plan to travel to Roanoke or Lynchburg on Thursday the 26th.
Some direct flights may be available to the Roanoke airport. ROA is a scenic 55-minute drive to the retreat.
Flights into the Lynchburg airport (LYH) will come in from Charlotte, NC so there are no direct flights into Lynchburg. LRA is a beautiful 40-minute drive to the retreat center.
LOCATION AND NEARBY AMENITIES
Visit a local pottery studio on your drive up to the mountain top, take a stroll around the mountain lake’s paved path, wander off the path to the bouldered brook, an old farm, or trails into the quiet forests of the hillsides.
You’ll be within a 10-15 minute drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway to the falling Cascades trail or Apple Orchard Falls trail to watch the sunset or for a strenuous 1.2 mile hike to the falls. There are many scenic vistas along the parkway, my favorite is Onion Mountain Overlook just 15 minutes down the parkway from our Lodge. The peak elevation is nearly 4,000 feet at Apple Orchard Mountain. You will receive a map and suggestions for recreation in your packet upon arrival as well as access to concierge assistance during your stay.
The Lodge offers a variety of amenities including a shuttle the majority of the way up to Sharp Top (above photo) and back, several cozy fireplaces in the main lodge including our meeting space, gift shop, restrooms at two of the hiking trailheads, off-site snack shop, lake-side Adirondack chairs, and a full-service restaurant which will be catering our retreat with private dining.
DISCERNMENT
If you’re considering this retreat, we are praying for your discernment of whether this is the time for God to meet you where you are through this place set apart from everyday life. In the practice of soul care and exploring one's inner landscape, Vanessa and Julie* have trekked their own journeys by utilizing IFS as a vehicle to grow in their relationship with the Lord. They are honored to guide you where the Lord is nudging you, gently yet deeply, because they know what it’s like to seek health and wholeness through painful experiences with Christ at the center.
We offer you a blessing with some words of John O’Donahue from his work, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings.
…“Blessed be the longing that brought you here
And quickens your soul with wonder.
May you have the courage to listen to the voice of desire
That disturbs you when you have settled for something safe.
May you have the wisdom to enter generously into your own unease
To discover the new direction your longing wants you to take.” …
