EMERGENCE: Coming into Balance ~ A Journey of Flow, Care & Compassion

“Dwell as near as possible to the channel in which your life flows.”
– Henry David Thoreau

Drawing inspiration from the natural world and its infinite wisdom of design, we will explore how the currents of our own lives move through us, offering their own gifts and insights. This year, during our annual spring Emergence retreat, we turn to a personal and collective call for balance and flow, care and compassion. When we strive for balance in our own lives, we identify what we are ready to let go of so that ample space is made for creativity and new beginnings. This generates the possibility for flow in our inner and outer landscapes. When life is flowing, we return to a place of trust. We open to our great human capacity to deeply care for ourselves, one another, and the planet in a spirit of compassion. Through writing and art making, utilizing painting, drawing, collage, and printmaking with natural materials from the magnificent Oregon forest, you’ll have the chance to honor your own process of emergence this spring. This soulful and inspiring day in the beauty of the natural world also offers you a chance to deeply nourish yourself with a delicious lunch, a beautiful retreat setting and the supportive, uplifting company of other women.

This retreat offers space for creative expression for women of all ages and backgrounds. No writing or art experience is necessary. All art materials will be provided.

Dates & Times:
Sunday, April 16th, 2023, 10am-5pm (This is a full day retreat)

Illumination, Photograph by Lisa Kagan

Location:
Alton L. Collins Conference & Retreat Center
“Surrounded by giant fir and cedar, lush fern and abundant moss covered vine maple, the Alton L. Collins Conference & Retreat Center near Eagle Creek, Oregon provides an environment and facilities conducive to study and reflection, relaxation and recreation…Trails take you through the woods and along the streams that meander around the grounds.”

A professional chef specializes in using fresh, local produce to create meals that are truly culinary works of art. This retreat includes lunch.

Costs:
Retreat Program Fee  & Lunch: $200
Art Materials: $15
Total Cost: $215

Registration:
Payment is due at the time of sign up. Registration and payment is made through Alton L. Collins Retreat & Conference Center. Click here to register. For more information or if you have questions about the retreat, please contact Dawn at: dawnrenethompson@gmail.com or 503.568.6145.

About the Touchstone Retreats Facilitators:

Wonder, Pen and Ink by Lisa Kagan

Dawn Thompson oversees and facilitates workshops and retreats through Portland Women Writers. She also holds on-going writing circles for individuals healing from cancer through the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health Science University. She was a staff member for Write Around Portland and has also held writing circles for caregivers and adults in assisted living and memory care. Dawn believes writing our stories, whether they originate from our life experience or our imagination, is a sacred act that liberates, heals and transforms us.

Lisa Kagan is a writer, artist, educator and personal historian. Her business, Family Heirloom Arts, is dedicated to helping individuals and families celebrate their life stories and significant life milestones through the creation of illustrated heirloom books and custom art. Lisa offers art and writing workshops and retreats throughout the Pacific Northwest and is a facilitator through Portland Women Writers. Lisa believes in the transformative nature of the creative process to heal, empower, challenge, inform, and awaken the human spirit. Lisa has published two books of original art and poetry, Coming Home to Myself (2021) and Emergence (2009).

Learn more about Touchstone Retreats…

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Touchstone Retreats Vaccination Requirements

We require that all workshop participants and facilitators be fully COVID-19 vaccinated prior to participating in a Touchstone Retreats in-person retreat.

COVID-19 Retreat Policy:
• All participants signing up for an in-person retreat are required to email a photo of their vaccination card to the facilitator at the time of registration (please email to Dawn at dawnrenethompson@gmail.com).

• As of now, face coverings are optional at Touchstone Retreats programs. If this changes, participants will be notified ahead of time.

• We ask that all in-person retreat participants do a self-evaluation before coming to a retreat and that they remain at home if they have any symptoms.

We will continue to monitor guidance from the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) in regard to best practices for indoor gatherings of fully vaccinated adults and we will update our policies accordingly.

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Touchstone Retreats Cancellation Policy (for full day retreats)
Payment is fully refundable with one month’s cancellation notice. Participants will be charged for 25% of the total program fee with less than a month’s notice up to 14 days prior to the retreat. No refund is possible with less than a 14 day cancellation notice. Family emergency situations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
If this retreat is cancelled due to the pandemic you will receive a full refund. If you have a COVID related situation arise and you need to cancel please contact Dawn Thompson at: DawnReneThompson@gmail.com or 503.568.6145.

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Here is what participants have to say about Touchstone Retreats:

“I have now been to two art and writing retreats with Dawn Thompson and Lisa Kagan and both provided so much healing for my soul. There is nothing like gathering with others to create. Much like meditating with a group of people, the experience is very powerful in a way that cannot be replicated on your own. Dawn and Lisa are both very thoughtful, kind and supportive and just an inspiration to work with. I feel very nurtured with them, even (especially) at my most vulnerable moments sharing my work with the group. I am so grateful for them and can’t wait to retreat with them again!”
– Touchstone Retreats Participant

“Extraordinary things happen when a group of women come together and commit to writing, creating, and exploring in nature. Dawn and Lisa of Touchstone Retreats provided a safe, nurturing space to simply be— without judgment or expectation. We were invited as individuals to experience our weekend as we needed. There’s such freedom in that. I wrote, hiked, put my feet up, and got my fingers sticky with paint. It was fantastic! Our group quickly became a unique type of family, forged in a creative space so often unattainable in the bustle of modern life. The delicious, locally-sourced meals prepared by an amazing chef made the weekend extra special. This was a writing and art retreat, but it was also a nature and foodie retreat! Dawn and Lisa are two of the most welcoming and talented humans I’ve ever met. I left feeling loved, nurtured, and inspired. I can’t wait for the next Touchstone retreat!”
– Touchstone Retreats Participant

“I registered for this retreat because I wanted time away in the forest with like-minded creatives. It was so much more ~ from the beautiful venue to the incredible meals & ‘forest bathing’ to the deep dive into writing & mask making, it was a pure joy. I hope to attend many more.”
– Touchstone Retreats Participant

“I recommend this retreat to women who are looking for a safe place to connect with their inner voice and creativity, and also to connect with kindred spirits. Life is such a hectic race through our to-do lists that we hardly ever disconnect not only from electronics, but from our self-talk to do more and be more. Taking time for reflection is so important. Participating in a retreat like this is a way to be kind to yourself through taking time to write and create.”
– Touchstone Retreats Participant