Retreats & Events
Lenten Retreat
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Who wants to suffer? It’s not something we typically choose, nor should we without good reason. But Jesus did choose to suffer, because of his tremendous love for us. He chose to enter into our suffering here on earth, in order to give us life. Lent is a season during which we choose to identify with Jesus, sharing in his sufferings, not for some morbid fascination with suffering, but in order to experience the resurrection life and power we can only have in fellowship with him. This Lenten journey of 40 days prepares us to more wholeheartedly experience and celebrate the reality of resurrection joy when Easter comes.
Given that choosing a path that includes suffering is not usually our first choice, it could be helpful at the start of this Lenten season to set aside a few hours to focus on what it might mean to share in Jesus’ suffering in our daily lives. You are invited to a Lenten Retreat on Saturday, February 25th to join with others in seeking fellowship with Jesus, as we choose to share in his sufferings and experience his resurrection power in our lives.
Details:
Saturday, February 25, 2023
9:45 am – 3:00 pm
Wappingers Falls, NY
Email me at melissafischerartist@gmail.com to register or for more info
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New Year’s Day of Reflection (Sketching as Prayer)
Saturday, January 7, 2023
We can have the certainty of knowing we are in God’s loving care, and that all our days are known to him, but with health concerns, a challenging economy, and general societal turmoil it can be easy to feel at loose ends and anxious about what lies ahead, looking back with regret and forward with fear… unless we allow our minds to slow down and we take time to draw into God’s presence. Sometimes that’s easier to do in the presence of others who are also seeking God’s presence, so you are invited to a day of retreat and reflection, a day of looking back with gratitude and forward with hope.
Details:
Saturday, January 7, 2022
9:45 AM – 3:00 PM
Immanuel Church
Wappingers Falls, NY
All are welcome. Artistic experience isn’t necessary, but you might want to bring a few supplies. Email me (melissafischerartist@gmail.com) for more details and to register.
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Sketching as Prayer Retreat
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Join us for a day of retreat, rest, and renewal as we open our sketchbooks or journals, eyes, and hearts to God’s presence in his creation and look to discover his fingerprints all around us. This is an opportunity to slow down and renew our focus on God through silence and prayer. We will also have times to encourage one another with the thoughts, insights, and sketches or written words that have come from our observation and meditation. Artistic experience not necessary; you can sketch with any kind of simple art supplies or with written words.
Details:
Saturday, September 17, 2022
9:45 AM to 3:00 PM
Immanuel Church (253 Myers Corners Rd; Wappingers Falls, NY)
Email Melissa Fischer (melissafischerartist@gmail.com) for more details or to let her know you’ll participate.
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Growing Together Women’s Retreat
October 14-16, 2022
Ashford, CT
More information here: Growing Together Women’s Retreat Brochure
I’ll be leading a breakout session “Sketching as Prayer” at this “Growing Together” retreat.
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Sketching as Prayer Retreat
May 29, 2021
“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Seeing heaven here on earth and recognizing God’s presence, whether in the wildness of a burning bush, in the subtle budding of a shrub in spring, or in the exuberant blossoms of May flowers requires slowing down, stepping aside from our busyness, and becoming receptive to what we haven’t yet perceived. Sketching can be a pathway to seeing, to noticing the ways God is speaking through creation, and to becoming aware of his presence in the world around us. And in the process we are drawn into prayer, either with words or in silent communion with God, and into worship of the Master Artist.
In this one day retreat we will open our eyes and hearts to God’s presence in his creation and look with eyes of faith into the world to see God’s touch all around us, as we enter into prayer through the pages of a sketchbook or journal.
No artistic experience needed and you can sketch with pencil, paints, or words. I will email suggested supplies out a week in advance.
