Women’s Weekend

Dates: April 19th-21st, 2024 • Ages: 18 + • Price: $275-350

 

“The psyches and souls of women also have their own cycles and seasons of doing and solitude, running and staying, being involved and being removed, questing and resting, creating and incubating, being of the world and returning to the soul-place.”

-Clarissa Pinkola Estés

 

Women’s Weekend 2024: Rooted and Reaching

Join us for our 2024 Women’s Weekend, Rooted and Reaching. As Westminster Woods transitions into a new chapter, Women’s Weekend will serve as a time to root ourselves in God’s Creation. The Gospel will also be brought to life again as we reach into the collective journey of loving one another as Christ loves. Through inspirational speaker time and experiential worship led by Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice, the group will embody Christ’s Love in Action. Using the image of a redwood forest as a guide, we will explore biblical texts, prayer, and our lived experience to help us hear God’s invitation to flourish and grow. Come to our sacred space for all women to rest and reflect, celebrate and sing, contemplate and lament, and be in community with one another. 

This weekend is designed to welcome newcomers as well as long-time lovers of this retreat. As we reckon with the current brokenness in our world, we retreat not to ‘escape,’ but to root ourselves in Grace so we may reach out with the same grace to others. There will be space for solitude, community, rest and play - so that your deep longings can be met. 

““I always love the community of women I meet at Women’s Weekend. I always feel held in Love as the person that I am, and I believe I was able to return that Love this weekend to others as well. It is such a special time and place of holding one another and our stories… It was so special that the thin place of camp was given space to speak for the Spirit this weekend.”
”
— Lisa Casagrande

About our 2024 weekend speaker

Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice

Sandy Tice first came to the Woods in 1978, and spent time here every summer for 40 years. She is a Teaching Elder in the PCUSA, and was pastor of First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino, a church in a city marked by deep goodness and entrenched poverty. She retired last summer and now lives in Pasadena, with her husband Tom Rennard and their dog Charlie. Her professional training includes Fuller Seminary (MDiv); SFTS (Doctor of Ministry), Mercy Center (Diploma in Spiritual Direction) and Association of Nature & Forest Therapy (Certificated Forest Guide).

Sandy loves cooking, handweaving, and long conversations with friends. She also loves trees, and does much of her praying outside these days.

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Activities

At this rejuvenating retreat, women will experience:

  • In-depth spiritual presentations led by this year's Women’s Weekend speaker, Sandy Tice.

  • Morning Inspire: a musical worship service led by our year-round Inspire team. 

  • Wine and cheese social every evening on our Woods Inn Patio. 

  • A traditional Sunday Morning Worship Service including Communion.

  • A forest bathing session - As a Certified Forest Guide, Sandy will lead Women in neither a hike nor a nature walk, but a chance to rest in the gifts the forest offers us. 

  • Unlimited access to our prayer chapel.

  • A chance to listen & be heard in small group conversation.

  • An afternoon that is yours. Westminster Woods will provide multiple elective sessions which include: 

Join us and experience why Westminster Woods is a “Sanctuary for Transformative Experiences” for so many women. Come - you are invited!

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Childcare at Womens Weekend

Want to come to Women's Weekend, but need to bring your kids? Our experienced Program Team will be offering childcare during the morning, afternoon, and evening, so you can fully experience the weekends workshops. After registering, email ruth@westminsterwoods.org and let us know if you'll need childcare, how many kids will be coming, and what their ages are. Childcare is included in the price of registration. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Participants can stay in our Guest Houses ($350), Cabins with private bathrooms attached ($310), and Standard Cabins ($275). Check out our lodging information to learn more!

  • Yes! Use our discount and scholarship form in our registration portal to apply for a scholarship.

  • Yes! We have reserved cabins for ADA accommodations. If you require ADA facilities, please contact our Ministries Logistics Coordinator at ministries@westminsterwoods.org.

  • Our kitchen accommodates vegetarian diets only. If your diet requires special accommodations, please bring your own food supplements.

  • Yes! Westminster Woods always welcomes individuals from all faith backgrounds, including including those who are non-religious. This weekend's theology is Christ-centered acknowledging that no one will be turned away from our community. Everyone is recognized, accepted, and celebrated for their individuality. Check out our inclusivity statement on our Mission and Values page for more information.

Westminster Woods ensures that all are welcomed, respected, and celebrated at our Weekend Programs. For further questions or concerns, please email ministries@westminsterwoods.org or call 707-874-2426 ext 612.

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