The first Rest and Renewal retreat took place in 1996 with 35 women gathering at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA for an afternoon of worship, teaching and fellowship.  In the years following the Retreat has expanded to a full weekend format.  We have visited various awesome locations in Southern California--Catalina Island, Forest Home Ojai, Forest Home Forest Falls, Arrowbear, Salvation Army Camp Malibu....  Though our locations have changed through the years, the constant has been the purpose of the weekend.

 

We were excited to add a second retreat in Oregon spring of 2019.  It was WONDERFUL!!! The Lord has been connecting us with women in the beautiful northwest and we are excited to grow in the depth of our relationships with the Lord and each other.  

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Our first zoom retreat was May 16, 2020 when the pandemic hit and group gatherings were canceled. That day, much to our surprise, 185 women from many different parts of the world gathered to sing, lament, learn and encourage one another.  It was a powerful time for us all! 

 

And now, with much excitement and anticipation, we are headed into 2026 with a full weekend, in person retreat available again!

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Rest & Renewal 2026

Lake Tahoe

May 29-31

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My own journey these past 30 years has been quite an adventure.  I have moved through falling in love with Jesus as an 18 year old athlete at UCLA, to evangelical faith and sports ministry, to taking a hard look at church and faith and how we teach and read the Bible, to who I am today--still journeying and still trying to understand myself and this world we are in right now.  The constant through it all has been Jesus, and change.  I will (maybe) share more at the retreat, but for now I'd like to say that my heart's desire as we come back to this retreat in person is that with Rest & Renewal 2026 we more fully live our long time motto: "All of you is welcome here." All of you really is welcome.  And all of you really are welcome...wherever you are in your journey.  There is no agenda for "conversion" of any type.  We hope to offer a weekend pause that is safe, inclusive, quiet, fun and s   l   o   w   e   r.   I'm coming to the weekend curious--about our stories and our journeys and our faith and our doubts--and also hopeful to maybe discover more of how very deeply we are all loved.  The Bible will not be weaponized--just explored. The "schedule" will still, as always, be optional. There will be lots of free time...and music...and laughter...and also bonfire story time, of course. 

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Our theme is:  "I will raise my eyes to the mountains, where will my help come from?"   (Psalm 121) I anticipate staring at the mountains across that beautiful lake as much as possible.  Zephyr Point is a fantastic spot, right on the water, with all meals provided (Saturday breakfast through Sunday breakfast) and very comfortable accommodations.  

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We will have some "leaders" with us. They are women who come as fellow pilgrims, not as those with all of the answers.  The older I get the more questions I have.  All questions and doubts and wondering and tiredness and frustration and joy and goofy pranks and great snacks and good coffee...all are welcome and very likely.  I am even more excited than usual for this weekend...and if you know me at all, you know that's saying something!  

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​Hope to see you in May!  
Debbie

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Questions??? email me at: thewestprojectgroup@gmail.com​

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