Invitations--Create In Me Retreat

Are you wishing for some sort of retreat where you have interesting Bible study, worship services drenched with meaning, and plenty of time to play with a variety of art supplies (including fabric, clay, wood, and abandoned junk)? Are you despairing of ever being able to pay for what you imagine such a retreat would likely cost.

Lutheridge, in the North Carolina mountains near Asheville, has the answer for you. Go here to read about the Create in Me retreat. This retreat is designed to appeal to a wide variety of artists and artisans. You can explore the rest of the website to discover a scrapbooking retreat or a handbell retreat (although those are done for this retreat season, Lutheridge seems to offer them each year).

I cannot recommend the Create in Me retreat enough--whether you're a professional artist or someone who would like to try being creative for the first time, you'll find a welcoming atmosphere. You can participate in everything, or take some time for yourself and enjoy nature, or Asheville, or being alone in your space.

It is a retreat with a mainline Christian focus, although the afternoon drop-in stations are arts-focused. It is a retreat at a Lutheran camp, which means you might find it rustic, unacceptably so, if you're used to spa getaways (no televisions in rooms, which I like, but others might find oppressive). But that registration fee does include lodging and meals and all your materials. It's hard to beat.

I've gone every year since 2002, and it's one of the highlights of my year, every year. It nourishes me in a way that little else does. And I come down from the mountain with all sorts of ideas, both for my personal creative life, for my students, and for my church.