Where and how does the retreat happen?

The Illuminated Advent retreat is completely online, so it happens wherever you are, in the way that works best for you. The retreat includes reflections, art, questions, and blessings from Jan, music from Garrison Doles, and an optional discussion forum, all of which you can engage at your own pace.

This year, we are excited to be offering the retreat on a new platform that will enable us to host all the elements of the retreat in one place. We are looking forward to providing this more streamlined, user-friendly experience for you! Our platform will send the retreat reflections to you via email, or, if you prefer, you can access them directly at the Reflections space in our platform.

Who is this retreat designed for?

This retreat is for anyone who wants to move through Advent in a mindful, contemplative, imaginative fashion. This retreat has come out of a longing to enter more deeply into this season in a way that doesn't involve just adding more stuff to our schedule but rather finding moments to pause, to ponder, to question, to pay attention. We think there are lots of folks who want to experience the season in this way. If you're one of them, this is for you.

With a background in ministry and a focus on creating sacred spaces through intertwining words, art, and music, Jan tends to draw folks involved in providing care and/or creativity for others: ministers, people working in the arts, spiritual directors, teachers, church leaders, seminary students—though you don't have to be any of these to share in the retreat! If you're someone who feels drawn to the spirit of this retreat and who hungers to experience this season in a more mindful, spacious, and creative way, you are most welcome here.

What's expected of me?

You are welcome to participate as much or as little as you want in this retreat. The heart of the retreat lies in the email reflections, and for many folks, simply receiving each email and using it as an invitation into a space of contemplation in the midst of their day will be exactly what they need. For others, engaging in the discussion forum will be a highlight of the retreat. We encourage you to move through the retreat at your own pace, discerning for yourself what works best for you.

How does the discussion forum work?

The discussion forum is an optional, bonus space where you can engage others who are on the retreat—a kind of retreat café that offers a place for reflecting, lingering, and connecting. Several times each week, we will post questions in connection with what we’re exploring that week. You’ll be able respond to these questions and/or leave comments in response to what other retreat participants have written. (The forum works a bit like social media in this way.) We welcome you to stop by the forum whenever you would like; you don’t have to show up at a particular time.

While participating in the discussion forum is entirely optional, it can be a place where community happens in surprising ways as Advent unfolds. The forum will remain open through Epiphany Day on January 6.

May I share the retreat materials with others?

This retreat is a great way of connecting with others during the season—in a study or prayer or book group, a class, with church members, or informally among friends near or far. We're delighted to help make it possible for you to use the retreat for group conversation and reflection; if you'd like to do this, please see the next question. We do ask that each person who participates in the retreat have their own registration. Please do not copy or forward the retreat materials to someone who has not signed up for the retreat, or share your password for the retreat.

Is there a group rate?

Yes! We're delighted to offer discounts to those who want to participate in the retreat as a group. Visit Illuminated Info for Groups.

I’d like to participate in the retreat, but finances are tight; can you help?

If you would like to share in the retreat and need some help in order to do so, please contact us.

What payment options do you offer?

You can pay online with a credit card. You also have the option of paying by check in U.S. funds.

I’ve registered for the retreat but haven’t received further information; where are my emails?

If you have not received any retreat emails by December 4, please check your spam folder. If you use Gmail and are not receiving your retreat emails, please check your Gmail inbox to see if there’s a tab marked “Promotions” or “Social.” Gmail sometimes sends the retreat emails to one of those folders.

Please also check your notifications settings in our online retreat platform to ensure that you have the Reflections option checked. (You can visit the Support page on our retreat platform for more info about notifications and receiving the retreat reflections via email.) To access the retreat on our platform, please use the password you created during the registration process.

If you’ve registered for the retreat, you can also access the retreat reflections by signing in to the retreat and clicking the Reflections tab in the menu.