The First Christmas: A Mother's Story
with Olivia Woodford
"The best retreat I have been part of in a long time!” Carol Owns, St. Eugene’s Ladies Guild Wendell, NC
Friday Dinner, December 2 - Sunday lunchtime, December 4, 2022
Living Waters Retreat Center
Maggie Valley, NC
Cost: $220 incl Lodging, Food, & Programming
A Joy-filled Retreat that Brings the Spirit of Christmas to Life!
The events surrounding Jesus’ birth come alive as we contemplate the women surrounding Mary and the role of women in the First Christmas!
We can recognize our own journey in faith through the biblical women connected with the Nativity, as their doubts are turned into joy and their faith is renewed in God, life and themselves.
The weekend features dramatic performances, PowerPoint presentations, small and large group discussion, prayer and reflection on Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist; Anne, Mary’s Mother; Leah, a daughter of the House of David; a Shepherdess on the hills of Bethlehem; Anna, a Seeress in the Temple; and Mary, Jesus’ Mother.
"Carefully researched and thoughtfully written,
her play was moving and transformative, and the discussions were illuminating.”
Mary Beth Hribar Deitz, Co-Coordinator, St Joseph’s Women’s Ministry, Seattle, WA
Olivia Woodford is an actress, storyteller, founder of Healing Theatre and member of The Network of Storytellers, Int’l. She has a BFA in Theater from Boston University and has performed in regional and off-Broadway theaters and taught theatre in public and private schools and to special needs groups. Through her ministry, Bible Women Speak, Olivia tours the U.S. and internationally presenting her 6 biblically inspired one-woman plays, and facilitates retreats focused on biblical women and the cultural/historic context of 1st century Israel . She is an artist dedicated to bringing the sacred into
people’s lives.
"Olivia Woodford is a very gifted artist who provides presentations
that are spirit-filled, insightful and spiritually enriching.
Her ability to make biblical characters come alive is extraordinary."
Fr. Frank Silva, Pastor, St. Margaret's Catholic Parish, Burlington, MA
“I’m stronger in my faith for having attended this retreat with Olivia.” Nadine Troccoli-DiNizo, St. Francis of Assisi, Raleigh, NC
BibleWomenSpeak.com
Contact Olivia at omwoodford@gmail.com