"Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:14
The woman asked, "Where can you get this living water?" (John 4:11)
"Come and see!"
Draw near a safe space where women come to rest, to set themselves apart in heart, reflect on old things passing away, and make room for all that is becoming new. Women at this well share the cracks and scars in their earthen jars, offering them up as testament to console and inspire. We are gentle with one another as we wonder how our stories reflect the “spring of water” welling up within our souls, quickening our spirits. Here, our tests turn into testimonies as we give our pains away to the water. Here, we learn how to heal and grow, together.
The woman at the well is the inspiration behind R3/W@W, a series of retreats designed to help smooth the contour of our waterpots into vessels that hold God’s promise of everlasting life.
Participants in R3/W@W will:
- relate - how do our present lives reflect who (or what) we worship? (John 4:24)
- release - what are the past narratives that limit our healing, learning and growth? (John 4:9-10)
- renew - how does the "spring of water" amplify the power of our testimony, and inspire our creative voice in the future? (John 4:39)
R3/W@W is created to be fluid for the individual or the group. You are welcome to attend all or just a portion of our time together, either online or in-person. Participants who register for in-person workshops are invited to dinner, followed by a deeper dive into the well of our lives while soaking in the spa. We have scheduled our time with room for the Holy Spirit to move in the moment.
R3/W@W is Christ-centered, with respect for the diversity of other faiths and lifestyles.
R3/W@W DATES:
November 2-3, 2024
December 7-8, 2024
January 18-19, 2025
February 15-16, 2025
Two or More Devotional Gatherings
Sundays, 4:00-4:30p
(12/1, 1/12, 2/9)
- On the Sunday before each date of R3 Winter Retreat, we will meet virtually for a short devotional and prayer to prepare our spirits for the week ahead of the in-person R3 retreat and virtual W@W writing workshop.
- This free meet-up is included as an optional part of the R3/W@W experience.
- Retreat attendance is not required to join the monthly devotional gathering.
RETREAT SCHEDULE:
Saturday Afternoon/Evening:
- 3:00-4:30p/In-person Check-in, Connect & Opening Prayer (Virtual opens at 4:00p)
- 4:30-6:00p/W@W Writing Workshop, Session I (Hybrid)
- 6:00-7:30/Break for dinner
- 7:30-11:00p/Soak in spa
Sunday Morning:
- 7:30-8:00a/Mindful Walk
- 8:00-9:00a/Breakfast
- 9:00-10:30a/W@W Writing Workshop, Session II (Hybrid)
- 10:30-11:00/Closing Prayer (Hybrid)
- 11:00a/Check-out
R3 /W@W reservations and advance payment required to confirm booking.
Virtual Options:
- Includes Two or More Gatherings
- Each workshop session is 90-minutes
W@W Session 1 (Saturday): $20
W@W Session 1 & 2 (Sat. & Sun.): $35
In-person Options: (limited space available)
- Includes Food* & Fellowship
- One-night accommodations**
- Open access to soaking pool***
- Two or More Gatherings
- Virtual 90-minute W@W Writing workshop - Sessions 1 & 2
- ”The Shells We Bear: Journal & Nature Guide for Women Writing In Wellness” by Erica A. Briggs
- The Shells We Bear Reusable Grocery Tote Bag (for water soaked bathing suits!)
- Special gift
R3/W@W w/ shared accommodations :$150 (UPDATE: 11/2 SOLD OUT )
R3/W@W w/ private accommodations: $175
*The retreat location provides a variety of food, beverage and entertainment options throughout the property for an additional cost.
**Accommodations are booked for shared lodging in the women’s hostel. Private rooms are available for an additional cost and based on availability. Lodging facility requires a $50 deposit for incidentals at check-in. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before arrival time are subject to a 20% administrative fee in addition to the fee charged by the lodging facility. Refunds will be available within 10-14 business days.
***Soaking pool is open from 3:00-11:00p and re-opens at 7:00a the next morning. Lodging required to access pool.
About the facilitator
Erica Briggs is a consultant, community caretaker, and creative artist. In each capacity she is a storyteller, relating themes that align with nature, reimagine socio-cultural constructs, and support transformational identity in Christ to better heal, grow and fulfill our divine purpose.
Born in Oregon, Briggs has lived and worked across the country and overseas. Currently, she serves as an Education Specialist writing curriculum and speaking at leadership events for the Nonprofit Association of Oregon. She is also the founder and CEO of a small arts & nature nonprofit based in Troutdale.
As a single mother, she earned a BA in Communications at Mills College in Oakland, CA and a Master's in Africana Studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY where she studied the social construction of race in America.
For over 25 years, she has served various roles in asset-based community nonprofits, and both traditional and alternative learning environments from elementary through college.
She is a pilgrim making progress and an active member of St. Paul Baptist Missionary Church in Portland, Oregon. When she is at play you will likely find her camping, puttering around in her garden, making a mess in her art studio, or hiking with her children to the nearest body of water.
What to Expect at R3/W@W
Women who attend R3 (Relate, Release, Renew) Winter Retreats practice the art of storytelling with Erica A. Briggs, facilitator of Women at the Well (W@W) Writing Workshops. W@W is designed to "gently guide exploration of our personal stories and discover how God is shaping us into vessels that can carry living water." Excerpts from Part 2 of her three part series The Shells We Bear prompt writers to practice balancing the power of words, written and spoken, by anchoring our stories in scriptures and biblical themes of hope, redemption, and transformation. By the end of the retreat season, participants will have crafted a draft of their spiritual testimonies to share with others.
The woman at the well
The story of the Samaritan woman speaks of the power of a woman's testimony. The common interpretation of this nameless woman's story is often taken out of historial context and oversimplified. Cultural bias contrains her narrative, weakening the value and meaning of her experience. Even the disciples dismiss her. "Five husbands? Shame! Sinner!" In truth, she is the only person in the bible who engages in the longest conversation with Jesus - and not once is she condemned or commanded to repent. More, what she does after her intimate chat with a stranger demonstrates her powerful influence. Because of her character and her words, many people of Samaria came to believe in that stranger - who they came to know as Jesus - and the promise of salvation that he came to give. (John 4:4-42)
