Chimamanda Negozi Adichie says, “When we reject the single story, when we realize that there is never a single story…we regain a kind of paradise.”
Our lives are not linear, but filled with nuances, curves, and start and stop movements. The world can be very quick to dictate or impose its own lenses and disregard the personal stories we carry. There is power in someone’s voice; there is honor in someone’s story that represents a village that has formed them. We are more than a name, a title, or a circumstance. During this one-night retreat, we will explore how we choose a story to tell that honors our identity. We will also honor how to listen without judgment to the stories shared by others. Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say I am?” We are invited into that same sacred question, as we first focus on defining who we are. How one chooses to share is up to them. It may be through poetry, drawing, dance, silent mime. We honor all we receive. Honoring one another’s story is a lived testimony. Guided by Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil.
Lodging and meals are included. Check-in begins at 4pm. There will be a brief welcome session at 5:30pm, followed by dinner at 6pm. The retreat begins after dinner at 7pm on Friday and concludes at 3pm on Saturday.
Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil is an ordained minister with the American Baptist Churches, USA. She serves as a ministry coach and women’s group retreat facilitator with the Center for Career Development & Ministry. Rev. Sandra offers ministry coaching accompaniment to clergy and BIPOC women through her private consulting agency, CONNECT-SD, LLC. Her bilingual abilities in English and French and experiences living in Africa, Europe, and North America offer a unique cross-cultural approach to clients and organizations. She has graduate degrees in pastoral ministry from Boston College and in rehabilitation counseling and psychology from Boston University. She is an ICF coach certified. She has completed Level 1 of Group Spiritual Direction and the Transforming Community program at The Shalem Institute. Rev. Sandra brings over 35 years of human services, including mental health and disability advocacy, group retreat facilitation, and pastorate, national, and international ministry engagements. Rev. Sandra is a published author of several books in English and in Spanish. The ministry of deep listening and presence is a core element in her work, and she makes sure participants in her retreats and one-on-one coaching sessions are seen, heard, and covered in prayers.