Sharing Philosophy

Women reflect, share, and pray in a small group at an in-person retreat

A Welcoming Place to Share

If you spend any time watching the news, reading blogs, or scrolling through social media, you may not believe a safe, kind, and non-judgmental place to share exists.

We are here to say that it can and does exist in our retreats and Sacred Circles.

Here are our sharing beliefs and intentions.

Every Story is Living Scripture

We believe each and every person who walks into a retreat and Sacred Circle is sacred. Every story is living Scripture. When we listen to people with different backgrounds and experiences, we can come to know a bigger and more merciful God.

A group of retreatants from Grace and Gratitude retreat at Mercy Center Auburn

Community Can Foster Healing

There is something profoundly unique that happens when you share your questions, insights, fears, joys, and wisdom with others and your story is held with love. Listening to others can expand your idea of prayer, or inspire you to draw on God’s strength.

Holy Listening is A Beautiful Gift

We encourage holy listening, which is the beautiful act of holding another’s story in sacred space with an open heart. We invite people in small-groups to simply listen to one another. No judgement. No fix-it solutions. We let people be wherever they are on their journey.

Sacred Sharing Takes Intention

In every retreat and Sacred Circle, we ask participants to abide by a set of agreements, which includes confidentiality and no discussion of politics, and the option to pass from sharing. There are times when all you can or want to do is listen, and this is completely respected and understood.

Retreat, Reflect, Renew cares about your privacy when sharing. “Ruzuku,” which is the platform we use for online retreats and programs, says their platform is not a publicly indexed site, meaning your written comments are private and not accessible to people using the internet who have not signed up for the retreat.