Establish the Work of Our Hands

Writers’ Bloc Retreat

June 27-30, 2024

Join us for a refreshing weekend getaway in the White Mountains in
Arizona!

Do you ever feel dried up spiritually?

Do you want to be poured into, so that you can pour into others through your writing?

Do you need encouragement in your calling as a writer?

Then you need to Getaway and find the refreshment your soul needs!

In psalm 90, moses writes...

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands, yes! establish the work of our hands!

Meet our speaker

Our Keynote Speaker

Charisse Compton

Charisse, along with her husband Jared and their three teenage children, lives in Minneapolis where she works for Bethlehem College and Seminary directing the Seminary Wives Program and teaching freshman Grammar and Composition.

When she’s not working, you’ll find her cheering on her kids at soccer games and track meets, fitfully writing, teaching women’s Bible studies at The North Church, or watching Chelsea FC soccer games. These are a few of her favorite things: cooking in a quiet kitchen, reading fiction, drinking coffee, eating out with friends, taking long walks through the woods, and traveling.

Worship Led By

Shawn and Sarah Gray

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Nestled on 70 acres in the White Mountains of Arizona, Rivendale is a creative’s paradise!

Bow’s end chateau

10 bedrooms, 6.5 baths of luxury, space, and breathtaking beauty!

Schedule

Thursday, June 27

Arrive in Phoenix
Lunch
Caravan to Rivendale Ranch (approximately 3 hours through beautiful Arizona country)
Settle in
Dinner
Worship, fellowship, rest

Friday, June 28

Session 1: Be Fruitful and Have Dominion

This session will connect our writing with the creation mandate from Genesis 1-2. When we write, not only do we image God to the world (show the world what God is like), but we also fulfill the creation mandate to be fruitful and to subdue the earth and to have dominion by imposing truth, beauty, and order over the chaos of the world’s ideas.

Session 2: Establish the Work of Our Hands

Even after the fall, we can be fruitful in our work. From Psalm 90, we’ll see that the steadfast love of the Lord infuses our work with eternal purpose and significance.

Saturday, June 29

Session 3: Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant (Matt 25:21)

This session will connect writing with faithfulness using the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25. Faithfulness requires development and investment of the good gifts God has given.

Session 4: May My Meditation be Pleasing to Him (Psalm 104:34)

From Psalm 104, we’ll see that God delights in our work because it is a reflection of his own work and character. Knowing how God delights in our work will help us persevere through the manifold afflictions of writing.

Sunday, June 30

What you’ll receive

Biblical encouragement in your writing life
Beautiful, comfortable, and inspiring accomodations
All meals included (except lunch on Thursday afternoon, and lunch on Sunday back to Phoenix)
Meet your Writers’ Bloc friends IN PERSON and make new friends!
Retreat notebook and goodies
Professional head shots

And so much more!

Hurry!
Space is limited!

Discounted Pricing

Only $300

AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 31st, 2024

Travel expenses not included

Which Airport do I fly into?

You can fly into either Phoenix’s Sky Harbor or Mesa Gateway. Sky Harbor is an international airport and accommodates all major airlines. The Mesa Gateway airport is a good option if you fly Allegiant Airlines.

What if I have to cancel?

We know that life happens, and unforeseen circumstances can prevent us from traveling. However, because this is such a small retreat, and we’re doing everything possible to keep costs as low as possible, we will not be able to issue refunds.

What if I want to stay in Phoenix longer?

There’s so much to do and see in Phoenix! If you’d like to stay an extra night and play before a return flight, we can make recommendations based on your sightseeing goals.

What kind of food will we be eating?

Good food! It’s the only kind we know! Cara and Tim are foodies and will ensure you have delicious and nutritious food all weekend. We will do our best to accommodate your dietary needs. You will be asked what kind of restrictions you have when you sign up. All of your meals will have gluten and dairy-free options.

Do I need a rental car?

Rivendale is a 3-hour drive from Phoenix and Mesa. You can team up with other attendees and share the cost of a rental car. For the first attendees that register, we (Cara and her husband, Tim) will be able to transport up to 5-8 people. So sign up early!

When should I plan to arrive and depart from Phoenix?

Ideally, you should try to arrive in Phoenix between 11-3 pm on Thursday, June 27. That will give us time to gather you, get some lunch, and head up to Rivendale together. If you have to arrive later, you’ll need to secure transportation to Rivendale on your own.

Remember the return drive to the airport when booking your departing flight. We recommend later afternoon departures unless you want to stay in the Phoenix area for an extra night. In that case, you’ll need to make additional accommodation arrangements.

Is there WiFi?

Yes, Rivendale has Wifi via Starlink and is a high-speed (50 to 150 Mbps) unlimited connection. Made for rural connections and powered by low-flying satellites launched by SpaceX. There are Apple TVs on most TVs that can be used for streaming and they can watch YouTube TV. The chateau is still on DSL, so connections can be spotty there. If you need a higher-speed connection, head to the ranch.

What other activities are available?

The ranch provides opportunities for many activities including:

9 Hole Disc Golf Course
Children’s Ropes Obstacle Course
Indoor Basketball & Pickleball Court
Axe Throwing
Ping Pong
8 Person Foosball
4 Player Arcade
Lawn Games

We recommend bringing walking and hiking shoes to explore the area nearby.

There are also emergency and medical services nearby. As well as grocery stores and off-property dining. You can read more about that here.