Back by popular demand this fall…the fourth year of our Embrace the Sabbath retreats! Journey north into the wild near Talkeetna, Alaska where you can retreat for one full week to rest and listen for the whisper of God. This retreat has been designed to give participants an opportunity to practice spiritual formation disciplines, designed to access the “wellspring of life” offered by the ministry of Jesus.

Our amazing team of evangelists, women’s ministry leaders, therapists, doctors, and church leaders have collaborated to provide an experience that provides rest, refreshment, and renewal! Each retreat leader will be available throughout the week – September 16 – 23, 2024 – offering unique skills to enhance your retreat experience.

2024 retreat leaders

  • Dr. Sean St. Jean and his wife Erin: trauma therapist, burnout specialist and relationship counseling
  • Dr. Jennifer Konzen: sex therapist and marriage counseling
  • Dr. Tracy Jones: family counseling, spiritual director, contemplative practices
  • Diana Steer: presencing, spiritual direction, life coach and retreat coordinator

Here are a few quotes from past retreat participants:

  • “This experience changed my life like few other experiences in my 40-plus years in the ICOC.”
  • “When I dove into connecting with God through the spiritual disciplines in multiple ways, multiple times of day I was able to recognize that I had been sleepwalking through my faith.”
  • “This retreat was truly a Godsend and transformed my walk with God. As a minister, I came in depleted but left feeling filled to overflowing!”

Prior to the retreat, you will have the opportunity to meet with one of our retreat leaders who will help you prepare for your experience. This enables the experience to be tailored to your current spiritual needs. You will be invited to explore spiritual disciplines such as:

  • Meditation
  • Solitude and silence
  • Mindfulness / self-acceptance
  • Lectio Divina
  • “Presencing”
  • Journaling / crafting
  • Communing with nature
  • Fasting
  • Spiritual reflection 

You will also have support to explore grief, trauma, and recovery from compassion fatigue, and/or burnout.

During your time you will practice the spiritual discipline(s) of your choice, and soak in the stunning beauty of God’s creation. This retreat is in response to our growing knowledge of “soul care,” pastoral care, and spiritual formation. Many disciples wait too long to tend to the God-given needs of their souls and suffer the devastating effects of burnout. Let’s reclaim our spiritual birthright and drink from the “Wellspring of Life” that God is calling us to! We have limited availability to protect the integrity of each retreat week so please visit our registration page for more details: www.glccalaska.org or email [email protected] / call 1-907-317-5798.