Section 1: Preparing for Your Retreat
Watch: Preparing for Your Retreat
How Long Does this Retreat Take?
Glad you asked! This retreat is customizable to fit your schedule. Here are a few options to consider:
Option 1: Day Retreat
Option 2: 4-Day Retreat
Option 3: 4-Week Retreat
Option 1: Day Retreat
- Plan to engage in all four segments (Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love) over the course of about 2-4 hours (30 minutes to 1 hour per segment).
- Or plan to engage in all four segments (Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love) over the course of one day, allowing yourself plenty of time for each activity and taking breaks between segments to take a walk, take a nap, do some rejuvenating reading, do an art project, or try cooking or baking something.
Option 2: 4-Day Retreat
- Plan to engage in one segment (Hope, Peace, Joy, or Love) per day. Do the four days consecutively, or one per week. Note: One segment per week can be an excellent option during the 4-week advent season!
Option 3: 4-Week Retreat
- Take your time and be able to reflect deeply by returning to the same segment (Hope, Peace, Joy, or Love) every day for a week. You might try a different suggested activity within that segment each time, or review the same material every day for a week to see whether your thoughts change, or whether you perceive new insights from God. At the end of the week, move on to a new segment for the next week.
Supplies for Your Retreat
Even when you're spending your retreat at home, you can pack a retreat bag! Before you begin your retreat time, it's a great idea to get everything you need all together in one place, so you don't need to worry about finding supplies during your retreat.
Recommended:
Optional:
Recommended:
- Electronic device for accessing this online retreat
- Bible
- Candle (watch "Preparing for your Retreat in Place" video for tips on choosing a candle)
- Journal or paper for writing on
- Pen or pencil
Optional:
- Snacks/meal
- Filled water bottle or other hydrating beverage
- Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or other comforting beverage
- Electric tea pot filled with water (you can set it up in your retreat space!)
- Mug
- Drawing or painting supplies (option for the "Hope" segment)
- colored pencils, crayons, markers, or paints
- drawing paper or heavyweight paper for painting
- colored pencils, crayons, markers, or paints
- Collage supplies (option for the "Hope" segment)
- Scissors
- Magazines for cutting up
- Glue stick or rubber cement
- Piece of construction paper or cardboard on which to mount a collage
- Pre-printed coloring pages (option for the "Peace" segment)
- Pre-printed finger labyrinth (option for the "Love" segment)
- Scissors
About the Facilitator
Sierra Neiman Westbrook, M.Div.
Founding Director of Eden Spiritual Care & Certified Spiritual Director
Sierra spent seven years working in the Christian publishing field before beginning eight years of teaching at George Fox University (writing, theology, and spiritual formation) and Portland Seminary (spiritual formation). A graduate of Portland Seminary, Sierra holds a Master of Divinity degree and a certificate in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship. She is also certified through Portland Seminary as a spiritual director. Sierra brings to her work a curiosity about how theology of lament, narrative pastoral care, and explorations of one's God image can enrich a person’s relationship with God. She also enjoys hiking, watching ballet performances, baking, writing, drinking lots of tea, and spending lots of time with her husband, Justin, and their young son.
Founding Director of Eden Spiritual Care & Certified Spiritual Director
Sierra spent seven years working in the Christian publishing field before beginning eight years of teaching at George Fox University (writing, theology, and spiritual formation) and Portland Seminary (spiritual formation). A graduate of Portland Seminary, Sierra holds a Master of Divinity degree and a certificate in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship. She is also certified through Portland Seminary as a spiritual director. Sierra brings to her work a curiosity about how theology of lament, narrative pastoral care, and explorations of one's God image can enrich a person’s relationship with God. She also enjoys hiking, watching ballet performances, baking, writing, drinking lots of tea, and spending lots of time with her husband, Justin, and their young son.
