Fall Retreat, Saturday, Sept 26

What: Do you need a day away? Join us for our Fall Retreat “Be Well” as we explore the roots of our unwellness and learn practical strategies for becoming well (mind, body and soul!) This virtual day retreat includes materials, morning & afternoon small groups and your choice of two afternoon workshops.

When: Sat, Sept 26 from 9:00 am-4:00 pm (PST)

Where: Virtual Zoom (link provided after registration)

Day Retreat Tickets

Registration for our Fall Retreat is now closed.

Please email kathy@hope4hollywood.com to save your seat.

Fall Retreat Afternoon Workshops

Workshop #1:

Spiritual Wellness: Breaking up the Soil: Cultivating a Life of Meaning

The recent events of the pandemic have forced us out of our usual routines, creating a unique opportunity to consider how we spend our time. Built around the framework of the Parable of the Four Soils, participants will examine and reflect on the garden of their lives then create a personalized garden plot.

Presenter: Karen Nelson, RN, MSN

Karen Headshot

Karen is currently developing a private practice focused on healing and wellness after a long career as a community health nurse. She has a keen interest in helping others find paths to healing and wellness at all levels. Recognizing the foundation of spiritual health, she developed this workshop to challenge us to ‘Break up the Soil’, and create and nurture a space for God’s seeds to grow. Karen lives in Valencia with her husband, Joel and enjoys quilting and hiking.

Workshop #2:

Emotional Wellness: Processing Emotions in a Healthy Manner

The recent events of the pandemic have inflicted a great deal of emotional stress. Learning how to process emotions is key to cultivating our emotional wellness. Using a Biblical framework, participants will identify emotions, understand the link between thoughts and feelings, and learn how process them in healthy manner.

Presenter: Dr. Megan Johnson, Licensed Psychologist

Megan is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and depression. She is a staff psychologist at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, working with the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (H-PACT). She also has a private practice in Santa Monica where she works with adolescents and adults treating mood disorders,chronic mental illness, substance abuse, relational distress, and issues related to faith and spirituality. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from FullerTheology Seminary, and also holds a Masters in Christian Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. She completed her clinical residency at TwinTowers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles then completed a post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology at the Greater Los Angeles VAHealthcare System. In addition to her clinical work, she has also held academic appointments at UCLA and the University of La Verne. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Greg. Together, they enjoy traveling, cooking, and cheering for the Dodgers.

Workshop #3:

Mental Wellness: Learning Lessons from Loss

The recent events of the pandemic have forced us to face an immeasurable amount of loss. Learning how to process loss is a key component of our mental wellness. In this interactive workshop, participants will have space to journal their losses and learn how to pinpoint lessons to better reframe difficult life events from this past year.

Presenter: Rev. Chaplain Kevin Deegan, M. Div., Board Certified Chaplain

kevin-deegan-professional-1 Originally from Miami, Florida, Kevin moved to Los Angeles in 2004 to pursue his acting career. Knowing that acting was not his only “calling”, he enrolled at Fuller Theological Seminary where he obtained a Master’s of Divinity. Kevin’s desire to minister in non-traditional settings led to his enrollment in the Clinical Pastoral Education program as a Chaplain Resident at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. There he had the privilege of working with the Inpatient Palliative Care Team which helped him realize his passion for serving the sick and vulnerable. Kevin then worked as a chaplain for Providence Trinity Care Hospice, ministering to both families and children. In 2018, Kevin joined the Spiritual Care team at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center where he is now serving on the front lines of the Covid crisis. He is ordained with the Evangelical Church Alliance and is a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains. In his free time, Kevin enjoys spending time with his ministry partner and wife Kathy and their three children, Marcus, Levi, and Katelyn.

Workshop #4:

Physical Wellness: Mindfulness & Restorative Practices

The recent events of the pandemic have taken not only a mental toll but a physical toll on our bodies. Learning how to be mindful of our physical bodies is a key component of our wellness. In this interactive workshop, participants will practice restorative ‘gentle poses’ and ‘mindfulness moments’ to bring rest to both mind and body.

Presenter: Kim Whitney, M.A, Theology, Certified Fitness/Yoga Instructor

Although Kim has been teaching fitness in the health and wellness industry for almost a decade, Kim’s yoga journey actually began in 2013 when she discovered the benefits of therapeutic yoga. In 2014, under the mentorship of Nona Chiang and Hayleigh Zachary at Yoga Works in Pasadena, Kim completed her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in an effort to use her newfound skills to provide a therapeutic experience for her community. Kim received her bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from Vanguard University, her master’s degree in Theology and Ministry from Fuller Seminary, and will be pursuing a doctorate in Physical Therapy at Azusa Pacific University starting in 2021. She lives in Pasadena with her husband William and together they have an Australian Shepherd/Beagle mix named Winston.