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    • Services & Opportunities
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    • Speak Up for Ben, Inc.
    • Wellness & Self-Care
    • Media Library
    • In the Media
    • Community Partnerships
    • Serenity Retreat
  • Home
  • Services & Opportunities
  • Calendar
  • Special Events
  • Resources & Education
  • Grief Support
  • Contact Us
  • Speak Up for Ben, Inc.
  • Wellness & Self-Care
  • Media Library
  • In the Media
  • Community Partnerships
  • Serenity Retreat

Serenity Retreat 2023 for Women Grieving a Loss from the Opioid Crisis

May 19-21, 2023

St. Francis Center for Renewal

395 Bridal Path Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017


This year's retreat is in planning stage. 

Check back frequently for updates.

~ For bereaved women in the Lehigh Valley service area ~

2023 itinerary - Tentatative

Rest, Relax, Refresh…. Together

FRIDAY

Check-in  3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Dinner  5:30pm

Welcome Gathering  7:15 pm  


SATURDAY

Chair Yoga with Tina (optional)  7:15 am

Breakfast    8:30 am

Gathering  10:00 am - Topic T.B.A.

Lunch  12:30 pm

Afternoon - Free Time

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES  - T.B.A.

Gathering  4:00 pm - Topic T.B.A.

Dinner  5:30 pm

Bonfire  7:30 pm 


SUNDAY

Chair Yoga with Tina (optional)  8:00 am 

Breakfast   9:30 am

Gathering  - "Sharing of the Graces"

Optional Ladies Tea  1:30 pm (St. Francis event)

Check-out  by 4:00 pm 

Retreat Flyer & registration form

Download PDF

how this retreat was born

Meet Rhonda

Thank you for your interest in our second Serenity Retreat!  ❤️ My name is Rhonda Miller, but I am best known here because I am Ben‘s (and Alex’s) mom. My journey began when my youngest son, Ben, was just 16, struggling with fitting in and finding his place in this world. Like many teens, he experimented, but when he was introduced to opioids, he was pulled into a horrific addiction he was unable to control. Throughout eight years, I lived the roller coaster of hope and grief. I had very little support through those painful years; few could understand what I could not even understand. On August 1, 2016, one week before his 24th birthday, we tragically lost our precious Ben. The devastation (and the many secondary losses) have been very difficult to navigate alone.

Two years later, my family and I founded a nonprofit, Speak Up for Ben, Inc. to speak out and educate regarding the dangers of opioid use, and to offer support to those struggling and to their families. With the aid of Northampton County, we opened OASIS to help families throughout all the stages of grief experienced when a loved one lives with a substance use condition— and to offer compassionate support to families who lost their loved one. This retreat is an extension of the grief support we offer.  While serving our families, I have obtained  professional  training to best  support our grief recovery. I have been credentialed by world renowned grief expert David Kessler as a Certified Grief Educator, and by the Grief Recovery Institute as a Certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist. Combined with my lived experience, these trainings have aided me tremendously in my mission to support our many grieving families. 


This retreat will be facilitated by your peers—bereaved women  who have lived experience in learning how to cope by finding meaning in building a new life. We are not clinicians, but sister travelers on this grief journey..... Surrounded by God’s love, and the friendship, support, and care of one another,  we learn we can gently restore our serenity, with every new day, …. We welcome you to join us… as we come together to love and heal, heart to heart. 💔❤️‍🩹 ❤️


Gallery

St. Francis Center for renewal

Enjoy the beautiful and peaceful grounds...

St. Francis Center for Renewal Entrance

On the grounds of Monocacy Manor

Wildlife Abounds

Situated adjacent to Monocacy Creek

50+ Beautiful Acres

Wide open spaces for walking and medications

Main Meeting Room

A comfortable space for our gatherings

Library

Enjoy this space for quiet reflection

Welcoming Spaces

Places for cozy conversations

Dining Room

Private dining hall for our retreat 

Overnight Accommodations

Double occupancy rooms 

Informal Gathering Spaces

Many conversation nooks await you and your new friends

Take a Stroll

Enjoy a morning walk through the grounds

...

Explore the Grounds

Spring Blossoms

Let the colors of Spring rejuvenate your spirit

Centennial Garden

A space for peaceful reflection

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis is known for his ministry to the poor and care for nature and animals

Monocacy Creek

The grounds are embraced by the gentle sounds of the Monocacy Creek

Chair Yoga with Tina

Start your mornings with a restorative stretch!

Campfire & S'mores

Join us Saturday night for s'mores and singing

New friendships

Come experience  a special Sisterhood that is certain to last a lifetime!


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St. Francis Center for Renewal is a Christian retreat center, providing an exceptional setting to connect with God …. Quiet spaces are available for meditation, prayer, and fellowship to help heal our broken hearts. We will honor the mission of the center and hope you will find peace in God’s presence during our weekend. If your faith has been wounded, our prayer is that you will come with an open heart, be blessed, and experience the healing power of God’s love .

A few Photos from our 2022 Serenity Retreat!

Our Partners

  • Speak Up for Ben, Inc.

OASIS Community Center

3410 Bath Pike Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18017 US

(484) 747-6825

Copyright © 2021 Oasis Community Center - All Rights Reserved.

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