Wellspring in the Desert Retreat: A Call to Be Whole

Reflect, rest and renew, and connect with God, self and one another in this spiritual wholeness retreat focusing on the multi-dimensional elements of wellness: spiritual, vocational, intellectual, emotional, physical, social, and financial well-being. Register here.

I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b

We are called to live as whole and holy people of God. In this Desert Sojourn Retreat we will gather, form community, and grow in our continuous journey to live whole. Participants in this spiritual wholeness retreat will explore multiple dimensions of our being, create intentional space to reflect, rest and renew, and connect with God, self and one another. The rhythm of each day will offer time to learn together, reflect and explore. Each evening we will reconnect to review our day, name where God was present in both joy and challenge. Music will invite us to slow down, and prayer will tuck us in. 

While the desert is a dry space, this wellspring seeks to create space to quench the thirst of our souls.

Spiritual retreat sponsored by Devine Coaching, Portico Benefit Services and Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center.

Definitions of Spiritual Well Being

This spiritual wholeness retreat references the Portico Benefit Services Wholeness Wheel which is an important learning and discernment tool.

SOCIAL/INTERPERSONAL WELL-BEING

We are created by God to be social beings, living in community and instructed to help and love each other. Making time to build and maintain our social well-being invites us to deeper relationship with God, self and one another. Consider your interactions, playfulness and ability to forgive.

• Friday evening we will begin to form community. Reflecting on the poem, Where I’m From by George Ella Lyon we will be invited to share our own story of where we are from.

VOCATIONAL WELL-BEING

We all have a calling – a vocation – to follow Christ’s example, to live a life of meaning, purpose and service to our neighbor. Our vocation is life’s work and passions, our everyday roles through which God calls us to help make this world a better place. We are invited to steward our talents and abilities and find opportunities to build and use them throughout our entire lifetime.

• Saturday we will identify good experiences that have shaped us. In small groups we will listen and support each other to identify their top 5 strengths. We will identify our top 5 core values using a deck of cards.

SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING

Living a centered life focused on God affects each aspect of our well-being. Living as a whole person invites us to explore who and whose we are. Nurturing our relationship with God may occur in multiple ways – maybe through prayer, worship, nature, art, music, and/or worship.

• Sunday we will gather for worship. We will create our spiritual autobiography and practice Sabbath keeping.

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

We are not all born perfectly healthy or able to live life without injury or illness, but we can live well with tending and nurturing. Honor your body as a gift from God. Feed it healthy foods, keep hydrated, build physical endurance through regular movement and respect your body’s need for rest. Our physical world includes how we care for our earth and all of creation.

• Monday we will explore the various ways we are called to care for our body, the earth and all of creation.

EMOTIONAL/INTELLECTUAL WELL-BEING

Being emotionally well means feeling the full range of human emotions and expressing them appropriately. Self-awareness is the first step. Recognizing and honoring our own feelings and those of others – stress, contentment, anger, love sadness, joy resentment will help us live life abundantly.

Intellectual well-being invites us to use our minds to keep them alert and active. When we stay curious, ask questions, seek answers, explore new responsibilities, experience new things we help to keep an open mind. Learning how and when to let our minds rest is as important as keeping it active.

• Tuesday we will practice wholistic love, explore our emotional well-being, practice compassion and maybe even laugh a bit.

FINANCIAL WELL-BEING

We are called to be stewards in all aspects of our well-being. Good financial stewards make decisions based on their values, which is evident in the way they save, spend and share. This understanding of stewardship embraces resilience, sustainability and generosity.

• Wednesday we will create a money autobiography. Claim our call to be stewards, and identify our next faithful step in living out “A Call to be Whole”. We will close with a Circle Blessing and Sending.

Click here for Schedule of Events

WHEN

Friday – Wednesday, February 10-15, 2023

COST

Price per person:

• One person, private room : $999 per person

• Two people, two in a room : $825 per person

• Three people, three in a room : $715 per person

• Four people, four in a room : $650 per person

• Commuter, program and meals w/o room : $500 per person

Price includes: Six days of programming, five nights lodging and 14 meals (5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners).

Guests may arrange with Spirit in the Desert to arrive early and depart late for an extra fee.

All are welcome to this spiritual wholeness retreat at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona!

Retreat Leaders

Dcn. Tammy Devine

Tammy Devine is a Professional Certified Coach (ICF Certified), retreat facilitator, and ELCA Deacon—passionate about health, healing, and wholeness. As Principal of Devine Coaching, Tammy is a strategic and systemic whole person promoter of well-being, through education and inspiration. She collaborates with thought leaders to facilitate and motivate whole person lifestyle choices and serves as an external wellness consultant and coach to integrate well-being.

Andrea Arey

Andrea Arey is Portico Benefit Services‘ Regional Representative in the Western United Statues (Region 2). As such, Andrea’s position provides sponsors and members with information, education, and support to those who serve in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and other faith based organizations. Andrea encourages wellness in all aspects of the Wholeness Wheel and looks for opportunities to teach and assist those she serves in leading healthy lives and achieving financial security.