"You are With Me" - An Afternoon Retreat for Family Caregivers

A Special Gift for Caregivers

As a teaching artist, I have the privilege of witnessing the incredible joy that painting brings to people who never imagined they could create art, often because physical or cognitive challenges made it seem out of reach.

This month - National Family Caregivers Month - I would like to extend an invitation to caregivers to experience this joy for themselves within the context of a little afternoon retreat based on Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my Shepherd"). It is offered free of charge to those who provide ongoing unpaid care or support to an aging, ill, or disabled family member or friend.

If you provide this type of care regularly and feel that you would benefit from a time of refreshment, I warmly invite you to join me and other caregivers for a love-filled, relaxing day of creativity, reflection, and connection.

During our afternoon together, we will:

• Paint a simple yet beautiful landscape in acrylic inspired by Psalm 23 on the cover of a journal, following step-by-step demonstrations.
• Discover how journaling can deepen our prayer life, nurture our well-being, and help us appreciate life's everyday blessings.
• Explore the beauty of the Psalms as we reflect on how Psalm 23 reveals God's loving presence and care through both Jewish and Christian perspectives.
• Enjoy light refreshments and meaningful conversation with others who understand the value and demands of caregiving.
• Conclude with a short time for quiet prayer and guided reflection.

I hope you'll consider joining us!

• No painting or journaling experience is needed.
• Open to ages 18 and up.
• See below for more about our program and timeline.

If tickets are no longer available, please join our Waiting List to have priority registration for the next date. And if you're not a caregiver but would enjoy a retreat like this one, please "follow" Art Together and you'll be notified of upcoming events.

With heartfelt gratitude for God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives, and in joyful anticipation of a blessed time together!

Catherine Fetterman

Retreat Leader, Teaching Artist and Founder of Art Together

A special thank you to...

• Rabbi Neil Tow of Shaare-Shalom in Leesburg, VA for helping me adapt my retreat so that our Jewish caregivers will feel welcome and comfortable
• my dear friends who have worked behind the scenes with me to prepare for this retreat and who have prayed for this retreat with me and given me invaluable advice and suggestions
• my sister Valerie for her help with the retreat image and her wise counsel in caring for and accompanying the chronically ill, something she understands firsthand through her own personal journey
• my husband Michael who has been lovingly listening to my heart's desire of launching this retreat for years!
• Loudoun County Public Library for providing a welcoming space for us to gather
• the many generous donors to my Art Together Benevolent Fund who partner with me to be able to offer full and partial scholarships to caregivers, care recipients and those going through hard times. To learn more or to make a donation to support a retreat experience for others, please click here.
• and lastly, a heartfelt thank you to Catholic Charities and the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, VA, for sponsoring A Retreat for Persons Facing a Serious Illness and Their Caregivers. This free annual retreat has touched so many lives for over 40 years. My prayer is that similar opportunities will continue to grow across the country, allowing more people to experience the light of God's loving presence as they journey through the dark valleys of illness and suffering. It has been such a blessing to serve on the volunteer Retreat Team for the past two years and to have had the opportunity to pilot a portion of this Psalm 23 retreat last year with them. I am truly grateful to be part of a ministry that brings comfort, hope, and the reassurance that none of us walks these difficult journeys alone.

"You are With Me" - An Afternoon Retreat for Caregivers is being underwritten in November by Art Together and its donors and benefactors and is not sponsored by Loudoun County Public Library.

Info: One of the gifts of this retreat is the opportunity to connect with others, so we’ll begin by getting to know each other.

Info: What exactly are the Psalms, and why is this one so well-loved? Together we'll find out and uncover some fascinating facts along the way!

Info: After a short break, it's time to get out our paints! Following step-by-step instructions, we'll paint a beautiful landscape inspired by Psalm 23 on the cover of a journal. This will be so much fun!

Info: After another short break, we’ll share our own experiences with journaling and explore what research suggests are its benefits. Discover how it can become a meaningful gift—not only to ourselves, but to others as well.

Info: With gentle guidance and thoughtful journaling prompts, you’ll have an opportunity to listen to your heart, and discover what gift God might be inviting you to receive through Psalm 23.

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