The Retreat: A Tale of Spiritual Awakening

by Jacci Turner

Overview

A week at a retreat becomes a transformational journey of faith renewal for a young Christian suffering a crisis of the soul in this poignant, illuminating, and spiritually wise teaching novel for fans of Jen Hatmaker, Shauna Niequist, and Brene Brown.

For her entire life, Amy considered her evangelical Christian upbringing the foundation of her life and beliefs. But when she stands up for her gay best friend, Amy is ostracized and banished from the church she loves—resulting in a crisis of the spirit that causes her to doubt her conservative upbringing as she enters her thirties. Seeing Amy's pain, a caring friend raises the money to send her on a week-long retreat for contemplative activism, hoping that a few days of quiet reflection will help her rekindle her faith.

At the retreat, Amy meets two women her age-teachers who introduce her to new types of prayer—as well as Celeste, a seasoned church mentor who takes Amy under her wing and gently shows her new ways to practice her religious beliefs. In the course of just a few days, Amy finds an inspiring and more meaningful view of God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062672322
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	12/15/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	145
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Jacci Turner is an Amazon bestselling author of young adult and middle grade fiction, including Bending Willow, which was chosen to represent Nevada at the National Book Festival. She is the former educational director for the High Sierra Writers group and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Jacci has spent thirty years as a campus minister and is experienced in training spiritual directors. She is also a licensed marriage and family therapist. 

Editorial Reviews

For those who have been injured by involvement in a church, or other Christian group, or those who simply find evangelicalism to be constraining, The Retreat is like opening a window for fresh air.” — Rev. Dr. Paul Sorrentino, Director of Religious & Spiritual Life and Protestant Advisor at Amherst College

“A colorful story that underscores how much contemplative practice is needed in our modern times. With wit and wisdom, Turner captures the complexities of being human and the grace of finding the path that leads home to your true self. Such an important work of fiction for spiritual awakening.” — Phileena Heuertz, author of Pilgrimage of a Soul: Contemplative Spirituality for the Active Life (IVP 2010) and Founding Partner, Gravity, a Center for Contemplative Activism

From the Publisher

A colorful story that underscores how much contemplative practice is needed in our modern times. With wit and wisdom, Turner captures the complexities of being human and the grace of finding the path that leads home to your true self. Such an important work of fiction for spiritual awakening.

Phileena Heuertz

For those who have been injured by involvement in a church, or other Christian group, or those who simply find evangelicalism to be constraining, The Retreat is like opening a window for fresh air.

Rev. Dr. Paul Sorrentino