Retreats
A sacred space of stillness and silence, where the Spirit awakens hearts in prayer
Life lived at the surface can leave us drained. In the rush of it all, we forget that God invites us to rest, to notice, and to be renewed. Retreats are prepared spaces to reset our rhythms to God’s love, time, and grace. On retreat, you’re invited to step away from the busyness, noise, and distractions of daily life to rediscover your belovedness, renew your sense of purpose, and awaken to a fuller, more joyful way of living in Christ.
Whether for a few hours on your own, one-to-one, or several days in community, Along the Wandering Way retreats invite you to slow down, listen deeply, and behold God’s gentle work in your life through focused prayer.
Why Retreat?
Jesus himself withdrew to quiet places for prayer.
Following his example, a retreat is a way of stepping aside to make room for the Spirit’s renewing presence.
Through silence, prayer, and gentle guidance, you’re invited to slow down, notice what’s stirring within, and open yourself to God’s healing, inspiration, and transformation. Come and be reminded that the wandering way is not about striving, but about learning to rest, receive, and be led in love.
On retreat, you may find:
- Rest for your body, mind, and soul
- Intentional guided and individual prayer time
- Uniquely designed prayer experiences
- A fresh awareness of God’s loving presence and deeper connection with Trinity
- Clarity in times of transition or discernment
- Healing from the weight of grief, burnout, or busyness
- Practices to carry stillness, silence, and prayer into daily life
- Creative expression through art and embodied prayer
- A sacred pause from busyness to restore your rhythms with God
Retreat Options
1. Self-Paced Retreats
Downloadable half-day retreats, seasonal journaling guides, and prayer practices you can complete on your own time. Each offers Scripture, prayer practices, and uniquely themed reflections to nurture your expanding prayer life.
2. One-to-One Retreats
Personalized retreats designed to help you deepen your life in Christ and grow in spiritual freedom. Options include:
Rule of Life Retreat
Crafting a Rule of Life is a prayerful practice of shaping rhythms and commitments that help you live with greater intention, balance, and alignment with God’s love.
Ignatian Spiritual Exercises
The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises are a prayerful journey of encounter and discernment, designed to help you deepen your relationship with God and align your life with His loving purpose. Learn more here.
Rooted in early monastic traditions, these retreats guide you in examining your faith and experiencing a deeper union with God’s love and purposes. This is accomplished through the combination of guided prayer and spiritual direction. The retreats encourage you in establishing daily rhythms of prayer and time away with God.
3. Group Retreats
Opportunities for online and in-person retreats to step away with others and encounter God through silence, solitude, and prayer. Come, make space for rest, renewal, and deeper connection with God and others. Let’s journey together.
Silent Contemplative Retreats
Retreats inspired by mystics such as Julian of Norwich
Lament-based Retreats
Ignatian Prayer Retreats
Rest and Renewal Retreats
Nature and Art- themed Retreats
4. Invite Elizabeth to Lead
Elizabeth also partners with churches, ministries, and organizations to design and guide custom retreats. Together, you can create a contemplative experience shaped around your group’s needs.
What to Expect
Retreats are marked by a gentle rhythm of prayer, silence, solitude, and reflection. They may include Scripture meditation, creative practices, guided prayer, journaling, and time outdoors. Every retreat is an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and let God’s love renew you.
“Come away. Rest. Be prayerfully renewed in God’s presence.”
I hadn’t participated in a contemplative spiritual retreat before attending one that Elizabeth Forshee organized a few years ago. I felt a little unsure going into it, but Elizabeth’s clear, purposeful, yet gentle leadership style put me at ease immediately. The various activities were by turns refreshing, soothing, and challenging, and all of them were engaging. At the end of the day, I left the retreat with a renewed sense of peace and purpose, along with a fuller and deeper knowledge of God’s love for me and acceptance of me.
Lynn, retreatant
In the time I’ve spent with Elizabeth—both in spiritual direction sessions, and in personal retreat—she has offered me the gift of her presence: as a companion, a guide, and a fellow Christ-follower. I’m deeply grateful for her ability to pray, listen, and discern as I make sense of my faith journey and learn to notice God’s love in my life. She has the remarkable ability to sift through my ramblings and attune my heart to God and the work of His Spirit in my everyday life.
Amanda , directee and retreatant
“I invited Elizabeth to offer a silent retreat for my seminary students as part of their mentoring program. Elizabeth was a generous, gracious, gentle guide, and a tremendously gifted spiritual director. She quietly invited me to unexpected places of yearning and joy in the presence of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Several years later, my time at that retreat continues to bear spiritual fruit and blessing in my life.”
Shalini, retreatant and teacher
Begin the Journey
You don’t have to keep moving at a relentless pace. Take a holy pause and make space for what matters most.