FLORA+FAUNA

April 10-13

O REFÚGIO RETREAT: PORTUGAL

Hosted by Kirsten Dickerson, this retreat invites you to slowdown and discover the beauty that surrounds you through daily meditations and creative workshops that center on experiencing wonder through God’s presence in creation.

The workshops for the APRIL retreat focus on flower pressing, monoprinting, and blockprinting. Take a closer look at the beauty that surrounds you through the lessons learned in our printmaking and flower pressing workshops. Make beautiful prints from flowers and leaves you collect from the farm. Learn to carve a block inspired by nature and print a tote bag, journal, and notecard during our main workshop. No prior experience is required to attend this retreat.

Daily reflections focus on the Psalms and Parables that highlight nature, much of which will be found at O Refúgio Retreat: birds, flowers, fields, streams, soil, trees, mountains, and vines. You will be provided time daily to practice mindfulness through nature walks, gardening, journaling, and resting as well as participation in daily liturgical rhythms, creative arts workshops, and morning movement and mediation practices.

This retreat is held at O Refúgio, a Christian contemplative retreat center and farm nestled in a traditional village above the Douro River in Northern Portugal, less than an hour from Porto. The retreat starts at 5pm on Thursday and ends at 2pm on Sunday after brunch. All activities will be at the retreat center and in the surrounding village. Your participation in this retreat helps to support the butterfly garden and organic garden that give back with both beauty, creativity, creation care, and nourishment to those who come as well those who live at O Refúgio (including our native birds, bees, and butterflies.)

All meals incorporate food from the O Refúgio organic garden and local community with an emphasis on vegetarian and healthy options created by Chef Liliana of Healing Foods.

We look forward to welcoming you to this very special nature focused weekend in Portugal!

Retreat cost:

Cost per person: $350 USD (shared occupancy, 2 per room)

Single supplement: +$150 (limited availability)

Deposit: $150 with registration(nonrefundable). Remaining $200 due one month prior to retreat.

Space is limited. Your spot is confirmed once your registration and eposit are received.

Questions? Email us and we’d be happy to connect.

“The sky is my prayer,

The birds are my prayer,

The wind in the trees is my prayer,

For God is my all in all.”

— Thomas Merton

What’s Included?

  • 3 nights stay at O Refúgio Retreat

  • All meals, including breakfasts (3), lunches (3), dinners (3),and snacks. All meals are delicious and nourishing vegetarian cuisine, utilizing produce sourced from O Refúgio garden and the local community whenever possible.

  • Daily coffee, tea, fresh juices, water

  • European style retreat center: two per room and shared bathrooms

  • Creative arts workshops, such as pressing flowers, blockprinting, monoprinting, watercolor, and nature journaling. (workshops vary and dependent on season and weather).

  • All art supplies connected to workshops

  • Village hike and farm/nature awe walks

  • Time to volunteer in the garden learning and helping with regenerative gardening practices such as: composting, planting, harvesting as well as learning about butterfly gardens and color gardens.

  • Freetime for natural journaling, reflection, reading, and rest

  • Guided daily reflections and liturgical readings on nature focused psalms, parables, poems

  • Flora+Fauna Meditation booklet and nature journal

What is NOT included:

Flights, airport transfers, insurance, alcohol

  • While the overarching focus of our retreats stems from an ecumenical faith perspective on the equality and value of all life as expressed through creation, community, cultures, and creativity, you do not have to identify to an particular faith or world view to attend any retreat or workshop. All are welcome who want to come and engage in in a meaningful retreat experience as long as it is understood that our retreats will include intentional discussions and devotions to encourage your engagement to God through wonder, community, creation, and creativity. This retreat specifically explores what we can learn from parables and psalms inspired by nature. We foster openness and inclusivity. These retreats are not designed for anyone to feel pressure nor to debate or challenge the beliefs of anyone attending or hosting.

  • Once registration closes, details will be sent to help aid in your transportation options to O Refúgio and Portugal in general. Your transportation is not included, but we will help guide you on how to get here. We will also provide information for a trusted travel agent if you are coming internationally and need assistance with flights and travel insurance 8required). We are less than an hour from Porto, and there are Ubers and Taxis that can bring you here at your own expense or you can drive if you own or rent a car.

  • Once registration for this retreat is closed, everyone registered will receive a link to an onine portal with all the details you need to know included a general itinerary, packing list, and transportation details. We will also provide some suggested ways to extend your time in Portugal if you are able to stay longer and explore this amazing country.

  • Absolutely not. All are welcome and you do not need any prior experience…just a willingness and openness to learn and try new things! We want the creative arts workshops to be a time where you can tap into your God-given creativity through play and inspiration with nature and the arts. We will offer instruction so that you can feel successful and excited about what you create. There is no right or wrong in our workshops.