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Valle Crucis Conference Center

The Valle Crucis Mission School was founded on the principles of education and spiritual formation, and we honor those traditions with a variety of programming options every year. We have a wonderful lineup of retreats and workshops available!

Writing is often a lonely pursuit. You may find that it&#39;s much easier to write in the company of like-minded people and with the guidance of a professional who loves to encourage others in the craft of writing. Women Writers 2026 Winter Workshop&nbsp;invites women of all backgrounds to step away from daily noise and into a quiet mountain setting. Over several days, you&rsquo;ll write, listen, and share in a small, supportive circle. Join this group of women writers to capture memories, define thoughts, express emotions, and bring order out of chaos. New writers are most welcome! Join master author Katerina Whitley as we explore ways to express ourselves in writing. This is a full two-day retreat, with options for commuter and one-day pricing. The program will be held in Crab Orchard Hall, with lodging in the Mission House. The program begins with an afternoon gathering and potluck on Thursday February 13 and concludes the afternoon of Saturday February 15. All meals are included.&nbsp; A native of Thessaloniki, Greece, Katerina Whitley has worked as a church journalist on the diocesan and national levels, taught at universities, and is the author of eight books and hundreds of articles, including a stunning new memoir, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Memory-Childhood-WWII-Greece/dp/0578762919" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Myth and Memory: My Childhood in WWII Greece.</a> &nbsp;❄️

Women Writers 2026 Full Winter Workshop

One day with renowned author and retreat leader Katerina Whitley, to explore your writing and hone your craft. Join us in Crab Orchard Hall at 10:00. Lunch will be served in the Dining Hall.&nbsp; A native of Thessaloniki, Greece, Katerina Whitley has worked as a church journalist on the diocesan and national levels, taught at universities, and is the author of eight books and hundreds of articles, including a stunning new memoir, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Memory-Childhood-WWII-Greece/dp/0578762919" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Myth and Memory: My Childhood in WWII Greece.</a>

Women Writers Winter 1-Day Workshop

<p fr-original-style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: "Maiandra GD", Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' id="isPasted" style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: "Maiandra GD", Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5;'>Located on over 450 acres of mountain woodland and verdant farming valley, the Valle Crucis Conference Center is truly one of the more beautiful places on Earth. With its beauty comes a sense of timeless spiritual grace and hospitality that transcends denomination or faith tradition.<p fr-original-style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: "Maiandra GD", Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; color: rgb(26, 26, 26); font-family: "Maiandra GD", Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5;'>The Conference Center is open year-round to accommodate groups of 5 to 150. Rates include three hearty, nutritious meals a day and arguably the best towels in Western North Carolina lodgings. Our mission and ministry is to keep our lodging and dining rates as affordable as possible; every donation helps defray the rising cost of being curators and stewards of this special place..

Located on over 450 acres of mountain woodland and verdant farming valley, the Valle Crucis Conference Center is truly one of the more beautiful places on Earth. With its beauty comes a sense of timeless spiritual grace and hospitality that transcends denomination or faith tradition.The Conference Center is open year-round to accommodate groups of 5 to 150. Rates include three hearty, nutritious meals a day and arguably the best towels in Western North Carolina lodgings. Our mission and ministry is to keep our lodging and dining rates as affordable as possible; every donation helps defray the rising cost of being curators and stewards of this special place..

Come join us at Valle Crucis on March 14 for an experience that will give new meaning to the sacred and challenging season of Lent. This Lenten Retreat will have a different focus than others you may have attended. We will spend our time considering how the gift of Imagination can help us read the Bible with intelligence and a renewed understanding. We will learn about how the prophets imagined God&rsquo;s purpose for God&rsquo;s creation.&nbsp;<div data-block="true" data-editor="bvlvp" data-offset-key="8vfph-0-0" fr-original-style='font-family: "Optimistic 95", system-ui, sans-serif; color: rgb(28, 43, 51); font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' style='font-family: "Optimistic 95", system-ui, sans-serif; color: rgb(28, 43, 51); font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5; box-sizing: inherit;'><div data-offset-key="8vfph-0-0" fr-original-style="position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap; direction: ltr; text-align: left; font-family: inherit;" style="position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap; direction: ltr; text-align: left; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5; box-sizing: inherit;"> </div></div>Enter more fully into the stories and emotions of the Passion with master teacher Katerina Whitley.&nbsp;<div data-block="true" data-editor="bvlvp" data-offset-key="26lu-0-0" fr-original-style='font-family: "Optimistic 95", system-ui, sans-serif; color: rgb(28, 43, 51); font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' style='font-family: "Optimistic 95", system-ui, sans-serif; color: rgb(28, 43, 51); font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5; box-sizing: inherit;'><div data-offset-key="26lu-0-0" fr-original-style="position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap; direction: ltr; text-align: left; font-family: inherit;" style="position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap; direction: ltr; text-align: left; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5; box-sizing: inherit;"> </div></div>The program will be in the beautiful, light-filled Johnson Hall, with lunch provided. $65 covers an amazing facilitator, lunch, snacks, and program materials. A native of Thessaloniki, Greece, Katerina Whitley has worked as a church journalist on the diocesan and national levels, taught at universities, and is the author of eight books and hundreds of articles, including a stunning new memoir, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Memory-Childhood-WWII-Greece/dp/0578762919" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Myth and Memory: My Childhood in WWII Greece.</a>

Lent & the Gift of Imagination

Writing is often a lonely pursuit. You may find that it&#39;s much easier to write in the company of like-minded people and with the guidance of a professional who loves to encourage others in the craft of writing. Women Writers 2026 March Workshop&nbsp;invites women of all backgrounds to step away from daily noise and into a quiet mountain setting. Over several days, you&rsquo;ll write, listen, and share in a small, supportive circle. Join this group of women writers to capture memories, define thoughts, express emotions, and bring order out of chaos. New writers are most welcome! Join master author Katerina Whitley as we explore ways to express ourselves in writing. This is a full two-day retreat, with options for commuter and one-day pricing. The program will be held in Crab Orchard Hall, with lodging in the Mission House. The program begins with an afternoon gathering and potluck on Thursday March 19 and concludes the afternoon of Saturday March 21. All meals are included.&nbsp; A native of Thessaloniki, Greece, Katerina Whitley has worked as a church journalist on the diocesan and national levels, taught at universities, and is the author of eight books and hundreds of articles, including a stunning new memoir, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Memory-Childhood-WWII-Greece/dp/0578762919" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Myth and Memory: My Childhood in WWII Greece.</a> &nbsp;❄️

Women Writers 2026 March Workshop

Women Writers March 1-Day Workshop

A sacred retreat to explore the liminal, threshold, in-between spaces and places in your life. &nbsp; We will honor the Celtic feast of Imbolc, marking the midpoint between winter and spring, and St. Brigid, the saint of liminal threshold places.&nbsp; Throughout the retreat, we will reflect on our own transitional moments through various spiritual practices, including contemplative walking in nature, group and individual reflection, dream work, reflection on the sacred stories of our lives, and creative expression. Nature will serve as our Spiritual Director, guiding us into deeper awareness and connection. &nbsp;The retreat offers a sacred space to honor transition, discover new insights, and embrace the grace found in the in-between moments of life. Come and find your place in the sacred flow of nature and spirit. Facilitated by The Rev. Karla Woggon, a retired Episcopal Priest and seasoned spiritual director, dream worker, pilgrimage leader, and lover of stories.

Soul Sauntering Celtic Retreat

You&rsquo;re invited to a contemplative retreat exploring the sacred dimensions of growing older. Through guided reflection, spiritual practices, and small groups, participants discover how aging can be a time of deepening wisdom, renewed purpose, and spiritual flourishing. Like the evergreen that remains vital through all seasons, we explore how to cultivate resilience, find meaning in life&#39;s transitions, and embrace the gifts that come with accumulated years.&nbsp; This gathering offers space to honor both the challenges and possibilities of aging, drawing on contemplative traditions and the lived wisdom of the group to illuminate the spiritual journey of our later chapters. Rebecca Husband Maynard&nbsp;is an ordained Baptist minister with a Master of Divinity from Palmer Theological Seminary and a Certificate in Spiritual Formation from Columbia Theological Seminary. After serving in congregational ministry, she founded Stacking Stones, an ecumenical ministry that offers retreats, spiritual formation events, labyrinth experiences, spiritual direction for individuals and groups, and pulpit supply. As a certified Labyrinth Facilitator and member of Spiritual Directors International, Rebecca is passionate about creating sacred spaces for spiritual growth and contemplation. She lives in Thurmond, North Carolina with her husband, Mark. Together they have four married children and two grandchildren.&nbsp;www.StackingStonesMinistry.com&nbsp;

Evergreen: The Spirituality of Aging

Writing is often a lonely pursuit. You may find that it&#39;s much easier to write in the company of like-minded people and with the guidance of a professional who loves to encourage others in the craft of writing. Women Writers 2026 JUNE Workshop&nbsp;invites women of all backgrounds to step away from daily noise and into a quiet mountain setting. Over several days, you&rsquo;ll write, listen, and share in a small, supportive circle. Join this group of women writers to capture memories, define thoughts, express emotions, and bring order out of chaos. New writers are most welcome! Join master author Katerina Whitley as we explore ways to express ourselves in writing. This is a full two-day retreat, with options for commuter and one-day pricing. The program will be held in Crab Orchard Hall, with lodging in the Mission House. The program begins with an afternoon gathering and potluck on Thursday June 11 and concludes the afternoon of Saturday June 13. All meals are included.&nbsp; A native of Thessaloniki, Greece, Katerina Whitley has worked as a church journalist on the diocesan and national levels, taught at universities, and is the author of eight books and hundreds of articles, including a stunning new memoir, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Memory-Childhood-WWII-Greece/dp/0578762919" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Myth and Memory: My Childhood in WWII Greece.</a> &nbsp;❄️

Women Writers 2026 June Workshop

Women Writers June 1-Day Workshop

Writing is often a lonely pursuit. You may find that it&#39;s much easier to write in the company of like-minded people and with the guidance of a professional who loves to encourage others in the craft of writing. Women Writers 2026 SEPTEMBER Workshop&nbsp;invites women of all backgrounds to step away from daily noise and into a quiet mountain setting. Over several days, you&rsquo;ll write, listen, and share in a small, supportive circle. Join this group of women writers to capture memories, define thoughts, express emotions, and bring order out of chaos. New writers are most welcome! Join master author Katerina Whitley as we explore ways to express ourselves in writing. This is a full two-day retreat, with options for commuter and one-day pricing. The program will be held in Crab Orchard Hall, with lodging in the Mission House. The program begins with an afternoon gathering and potluck on Thursday September 10 and concludes the afternoon of Saturday September 12. All meals are included.&nbsp; A native of Thessaloniki, Greece, Katerina Whitley has worked as a church journalist on the diocesan and national levels, taught at universities, and is the author of eight books and hundreds of articles, including a stunning new memoir, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Memory-Childhood-WWII-Greece/dp/0578762919" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Myth and Memory: My Childhood in WWII Greece.</a> &nbsp;❄️

Valle Crucis Conference Center

Valle Crucis Conference Center

Events

Events

Lent & the Gift of Imagination

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Women Writers 2026 March Workshop

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Women Writers March 1-Day Workshop

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Soul Sauntering Celtic Retreat

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Evergreen: The Spirituality of Aging

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Women Writers 2026 June Workshop

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Women Writers June 1-Day Workshop

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Women Writers 2026 September Workshop

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Women Writers September 1-Day Workshop

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