‘Bible Women Speak’ retreat set for July 17-19
MAGGIE VALLEY — Living Waters Catholic Retreat Center, tucked away in the picturesque Smoky Mountains, has reopened under revised public health guidelines and is hosting its first weekend retreat in July.
Deacon William Shaw, director of Living Waters, oversaw compliance with public health protocols before reopening the center.
“We have gone through our entire facilities evaluating and making all things compliant for public health requirements,” Deacon Shaw said, to ensure the well-being of guests and employees. “The main lobby, guest rooms, dining room, kitchen, chapel and meeting rooms are all sanitized and arranged to accommodate current sanitary and social distancing requirements.”
One of the first events the retreat center will host is “Bible Women Speak” July 17-19 with Olivia Woodford.
Woodford holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater from Boston University and has performed and directed regional and off-Broadway theater productions, as well as taught theater to people of all ages.
She is a member of Network of Biblical Storytellers International, the founder of Healing Theater and a professional storyteller. Her career has been focused on how to connect theater with the sacred.
She was “inspired to create sacred dramas based on the Gospels to have the words and verses leap from the page and into our lives and hearts in a meaningful and beautiful way,” she said.
The July 17-19 retreat can accommodate 20 participants. It will be a weekend to embrace the words of Scripture with a live voice who shares the uniqueness of each of the women of the Bible as they are presented.
The cost of the weekend retreat is $215 per person which includes retreat fee; two-night, three-day stay; and all meals from Friday night.
Living Waters Catholic Retreat Center offers private, group, diocesan youth sponsored as well as preached, directed and nature retreats. There are also many opportunities for hiking and meditative walks.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter. Living Waters Catholic Retreat Center contributed.
Pictured: Living Waters Retreat Center in Maggie Valley offers beautiful views for retreatants. (Photos by SueAnn Howell and Living Waters Retreat Center)
For more info
To learn more about “Bible Women Speak,” go online to www.catholicretreat.org. To register, call Living Waters at 828-926-3833.