Reframing Repentance
Reclaiming Desire
July 27 - August 2, 2025 in Seabeck, WA
What if God doesn’t ask us to be correct — just creative?
You want to leave the world better than you found it, but the scope of the world’s problems feel so overwhelming you don’t know where to start. Through Biblical stories, theological reflections, and fun hands-on activities, we'll look at how repentance — often misunderstood as a pile of rigid shame-inducing "shoulds" — is actually an invitation to relax into the liberating truth that God likes you. We’ll reimagine repentance as a process of learning & discovery rather than self-rejection, examine how change is something to receive not something to achieve, and learn how Christ invites us to reclaim our imaginations so that we can all participate in creating the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
Hi, I’m January.
I’m a writer, theologian, and certified Wayfinder coach helping people reconnect their bodies, beliefs, and belonging. My work weaves together Christ-centered theology, Internal Family Systems, René Girard’s mimetic theory, and the lived experience of twenty years as a professional creative. It’s a theology of integrity that heals shame, fosters embodiment, and points us toward a lit-up life of creative vitality.
If you’re hungry for a gospel that’s actually good news — a gospel that invites us not to perform for God, but to co-create with God — you're not alone.
And you’re welcome here.
What You’ll Experience
Through daily presentations, guided creative practices, communal meals & activities, and plenty of time for rest and play, you’ll have a chance to recharge your soul in a stunning woods-and-water natural environment.
You’ll get:
Three meals a day served family-style in the historic Inn dining hall.
Morning classes for kids and adults.
Exercises that help you embody what you’re learning.
Afternoon activities including boating, swimming, Chicken Football, slip-n-slide, or just relaxing in a rocking chair on the Inn porch.
Evening events like karaoke, game show night, and an auction that supports the retreat’s scholarship fund.
An outdoor picnic dinner starring fresh bread, salads, and salmon baked in a fire pit on the beach.
A Friday night Communion service in the outdoor amphitheater (weather permitting.)
My goal is to send you home not just inspired, but anchored — with practical tools, spiritual depth, and a renewed connection to your God-given aliveness.
Join me at Seabeck this July
Monday — Creativity and the Bible: We’ll outline the Heroine’s Journey and learn how the Bible uses pregnancy as its metaphor for creativity.
Tuesday — Mother Eve: We’ll look deeper at Eve’s arc of the Heroine’s Journey, exploring the fall of humanity as the birth of violence.
Wednesday — Mother Mary: We’ll contrast Eve’s arc with Mary’s and talk about how trust is essential to ending human violence.
Thursday — Creativity and the Body: We’ll explore a theology that loves, blesses, and celebrates our physical existence and brings us back into relationship with reality.
Friday — Conquering the Serpent: Still think you’re “just not creative”? We’ll learn a practical tool for disbelieving the lies that hold us back from creating what we’re each meant to contribute to the world.
This Retreat is For You If...
You’re craving space to slow down, breathe, and catch up with your body.
You’re hungry for a faith that’s fully alive — not just in your mind, but in your body, your imagination, and your relationships.
You love sunshine, conversation, water, woods, and a little bit (okay, maybe a lot!) of holy mischief.
You’re ready to meet God not just in worship services, but in singing, swimming, hiking, laughing, and resting.
You’re a parent looking for a summer trip that will delight & nourish you as much as your kids.
You’re a single adult looking for a warm & playful intergenerational community to vacation with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this retreat for?
Seabeck welcomes families & single adults of all ages, orientations, gender identities, and spiritual inclinations for a week of fun, rest, play, and delight in nature. Although the retreat presentation materials are explicitly Christian, we’re an eclectic & inclusive group that isn’t fussed about what you believe (or don’t) about God.
What if I’m not creative?
You are. Creativity isn’t about painting murals or writing novels — it’s a lens through which we see the world. When we’re grounded in trust, integrity, and embodiment, we naturally find ourselves living a creative life that focuses on possibilities, not just problems.
Will there be therapy, coaching, or spiritual direction?
This isn’t a substitute for therapy or formal spiritual direction. There’s no 1:1 element to this retreat. But there will be lots of reflection, group conversation, and compassionate witnessing. If you need more personal support, I encourage you to seek the help of a licensed mental health practitioner. You deserve a container sturdy enough to hold you, and this retreat isn’t equipped to provide that level of support.
What will the days look like?
Each morning offers a deep-dive teaching session and a creative practice for adults and older teens (kids have their own age-appropriate programming). Afternoons and evenings are full of optional activities — slip-n-slide, boating, crafts, hiking, karaoke, Chicken Football — or just basking in the beauty around you. All meals are prepared for you and served three times a day in the Inn dining hall. No cooking, no cleaning; just space to rest and play.
Where is the retreat located?
We gather at Seabeck Conference Center on Hood Canal in Seabeck, Washington. ADA-accessible lodgings are available, but be aware that the conference center campus is large and somewhat hilly. We have golf carts available to help with transportation, but if mobility is a significant challenge for you, this may not be the ideal event.
How much does it cost?
Visit the Seabeck Christian Family Retreat website for current fees. If cost is a concern, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Retreat registrar; scholarship funds are available to make the retreat as accessible as possible.