The Shrine of St. Therese Writing Retreat
June 6 @ 3:00 pm - June 8 @ 11:00 am
WRITERS RETREAT AT THE SHRINE OF ST. THERESE
The Shrine of St. Therese
21425 Glacier Highway, Juneau, AK
Thursday, June 6 – Saturday, June 8
Quieting the Mind, Opening the Senses, Freeing the Words
This year’s mindful writing retreat at the beautiful Shrine of St. Therese offers an opportunity to quiet our busy minds and connect more deeply with Lingit’ Aani,’ as we walk, senses open, pen & paper in hand, while the days stretch toward summer solstice. Morning will be spent in guided mindful walking and writing practices; afternoon will allow free time to walk, read, and write on your own; evening will be for sharing writing and discussion. Together, we’ll walk and write toward a deepened sense of peace and reciprocity with the land and sea that nourishes us. No meditation experience necessary, all writing levels welcome.
Note: Please plan to join us in Juneau the evening of Wednesday, June 5th, for dinner, introductions, and your first writing assignment. The retreat at the Shrine will begin the afternoon of Thursday, June 6th, and run though 11 am on Saturday, June 8th.
DAILY AGENDA:
Thursday, June 6
- 3–6pm: Arrive, unpack, walk & write on your own
- 6:15pm: DINNER (meal provided, preparation and clean-up shared)
- 7:30–9pm: Share writing in small groups/discussion
Friday, June 7
- 7-8am: Early Bird Yoga (led by Mandy Ramsey)
- 8:15-9:15am: BREAKFAST (meal provided; preparation & clean-up shared)
- 9:3012 pm: Walking Meditation/Discussion of Readings (sent in advance) and Writing Practice
- 12:15-1:15pm: LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
- 1:30-3pm: Walking & Writing practice–with choice of prompts
- 3-6pm: Free time. Write, read, walk labyrinth, exercise, nap or whatever works for you.
- 6:15pm: DINNER – Meal provided; preparation & clean-up shared
7:30–9pm: All Group Reading
Saturday, June 8
- 7-8am: Early Bird Yoga (led by Mandy Ramsey)
- 8:15-9:15am: BREAKFAST (meal provided; preparation & clean-up shared; pack up)
- 9:30–10:30am: Next Steps/Closing Thoughts
- 10:30–11am: Pack up/Farewells
Pricing and Registration: This retreat is open to members of 49 Writers only. Space is limited, so don’t hesitate to reserve your spot today!
- Member price: $425/person
If you would like to become a member, click here.
About the Instructor: Holly J. Hughes is the author of Hold Fast and Sailing by Ravens, coauthor of The Pen and The Bell: Mindful Writing in a Busy World, and editor of several anthologies. Her fine art chapbook Passings received an American Book Award in 2017 and her poems have been nominated for Pushcart prizes, set to music and performed in New York City and Sitka, Alaska. She served on the staff of Pacific Lutheran University’s low-residency MFA program in addition to teaching writing at the college level, as well as at Fishtrap, the North Cascades Institute, LitFuse and other regional conferences. She currently co-publishes Empty Bowl Press, directs Flying Squirrel Studio, which offers writing residencies for women, and consults as a writing coach.
About the Yoga Instructor: Artist, mother, photographer, yoga teacher for 25 years, gardener and writer, Mandy self -published her first book “Grow Where You’re Planted” in 2019, blending her poetry, photography and love of yoga through the seasons in Alaska. Her writing and artwork have been published in Tidal Echoes, Alaskan Women Speak, Cirque, Tiny Seed Journal, Elephant Journal, Young Ravens Literary Journal, Poets Choice, Alchemy & Miracles Anthology, and Still Point Quarterly. She has been living off the grid in Haines, Alaska since 2000 in the timber frame home she built with her husband, holds a M.A in Yoga Studies and Mindfulness Education, and believes that movement, flowers and the natural world can heal, inspire and sprout friendships. Connect on mandyramsey.com
