Every human being wants to belong. Every human being yearns to feel connected to a greater Source of love. Every human being hopes to be restored into their true self.

The Austin Story Project is facilitating a five-day retreat for young adults to address these fundamental longings through the sacred practice of storytelling.

Held at the beautiful Menucha retreat center just outside of Portland, Oregon, forty young adults, between the ages of 22 and 35, will be invited to explore their life story in relationship to the Jesus story. Like walking a sacred pilgrimage, participants will travel through the primary experiences of Jesus in a way that makes the soul’s journey visible. Through engaging the plot points of Jesus’s life story, side-by-side with their own life stories, young adults may encounter the pull and presence of God within their own lived experience.

The Sacred Stories Retreat will offer young adults:

A pause that creates clarity
Stepping away from daily life and routines will create space to listen, reflect, feel, and connect. Daily rhythms of prayer, silence, solitude, personal storytelling, and communal discernment will invite faith to become more accessible and authentic.

Belonging with people in a similar season of life
Young adulthood is full of transitions, questions, and uncertainty. Being with others who are navigating identity, vocation, relationships, and faith at the same time creates a sense of “I’m not the only one.” Sharing sacred stories with others in a similar life stage will invite deep and meaningful connection.

Encountering God through the story of Jesus and others
Paula D’Arcy once wrote, “God comes to us disguised as our life.” Listening to the sacred story of Jesus, the stories of others and ourselves, makes God’s presence visible.

Gaining skills and tools to carry home
Throughout the retreat, young adults will learn story sharing tools and training to help friends and communities engage their own sacred stories in a way that increases belonging, transcendence, and transformation. Participants are expected to lead at least three story gatherings when they return home.

Hope and encouragement
The Sacred Stories Retreat seeks to remind young adults that they are invited to live a great love story. Trusting God’s love story within us and others restores hope, especially during seasons of doubt, loneliness, overwhelm, and exhaustion.

FAQs

  • Young adults ages 22 to 35 who are Christians or interested in exploring the Christian path, demonstrate leadership or facilitation experience, have a strong desire for belonging and connection in the world.

  • The Sacred Stories Retreat is held at Menucha Retreat Center in Corbett, Oregon, just ten miles from Portland, Oregon. The retreat is offered twice: Wednesday, September 23 to Sunday, September 27, 2026, and Wednesday, May 12 to Sunday, May 16, 2027. Both retreats begin with dinner on Wednesday and end at noon on Sunday. Applicants can only attend one retreat.

  • Expenses for the retreat, including travel, are covered by the Austin Story Project’s Lilly Endowment grant.

  • Eligible young adults are expected to:

    ·         participate fully in the Sacred Stories Retreat

    ·         attend four monthly follow up meetings on zoom

    ·         facilitate three Sacred Story sharing gatherings within four months following the retreat