The theme for the 2025 Women’s Retreat was Right Here, Right Now; Peace through Practice.
Priscilla Galasso wrote this retrospective. It was originally published in the November 2025 edition of the UUFC Journal.
“If ever there were a time for a candle in the darkness,
this would be it.
Using a spark of hope,
kindle the flame of love,
ignite the light of peace,
and feed the flame of justice.”Melanie Davis
The Women’s Retreat Team lit the Chalice in the Social Hall before 40 UUFC women crossed over the threshold into the Sanctuary, a sacred and safe space for creating connection and practicing peace. Two wheelchairs slid through the portal, a teenager, several octogenarians, a mother and daughter who had only just moved to Corvallis and gone to one Sunday service, the weary, the hopeful, the angry, the lonely, the wise. We gathered to share strategies for creating peace in our center, peace in our connections, and peace in our community.
The Friday night program centered on the Byron Katie model called “The Work”, presented by Susan Grace Beekman and Nancy Sowdon. On Saturday morning, we dove into best practices in relationships, outlined by the Gottman Institute, with Heather Thomas and Linda Marten (or was that Miss Stern?). Through interactive small and large group discussions, we connected deeply to the material and to each other. Workshop presenters offered sessions on yoga, art, laughter, gardening, and self-discovery. We enjoyed a delicious catered lunch from Forks & Corks. And then we balanced peace with PROTEST!
The planning team had no way of knowing that the No Kings II protest would fall on our retreat weekend, and we quickly adapted the schedule so that those who wanted to participate could do so. One key advantage to having an onsite retreat is that it allows for greater flexibility and inclusion. We made it a priority to have low barriers, providing scholarships and “drop in” registration to fit lives that are often full of care-taking and serving others. Our “choose your own adventure” schedule was not constrained by an outside venue operation, and our campus is in the heart of our own Corvallis community, making travel and transportation easiest.
During Saturday afternoon’s session, we worked with representatives from organizations who strive to create peace and build community through Religious Exploration, the Arts, and Education. Skyla King-Christison, Anya Ballinger, Thea Hart, and Laura Blackwell (of the Majestic Theater and Corvallis Parks & Recreation) gave us great insight into the philosophy of peace-making among cultures and great examples of Corvallis programs available to us all.
During our final meal together, the bright Fall day became a quiet, dark evening. Our table conversations included shared stories of protest thoughts, workshop discoveries, and determination to carry on as instruments of peace in this troubled and beautiful world.
Thank you to all the Team members: Heather Thomas, Ann Marchant, Linda Marten, Sandy Piper, and Kimi Mayo. Thank you to all the Workshop leaders: Kris Egan, Diana Titus, Joyce Standing, Joyce Marvel-Benoist, Joyce Federiuk, Heather Thomas, Linda Marten, Gwen Ellen, and Kayla Garcia. Thank you Ginny Gibson and all the others who volunteered their time making our gathering nourishing and comfortable.
Thank you to those who have signed up to make next year’s Retreat a reality!
Dona nobis pacem. Go now, women, in Peace.