reNEW
spiritual retreat for writers and speakers
About our annual retreat
“renewed in knowledge after the image of Him.” Colossians 3.10 reNEW is open to all beginning and seasoned writers and speakers who desire to communicate the good news of Jesus through their written or spoken words. At reNEW, we believe the core of our calling as writers and speakers is faithfulness to Christ. And so, our emphasis …
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Rachel is a British-born writer, speaker and blogger. She is author of books on prayer and a variety of devotionals. Her blog, rachelbritton.com, is for women of all ages to help them be bold on the journey through confident faith, bold prayer, and adventurous living. Rachel is Content Director for RADIANT NYC, an online magazine empowering NYC women to live radiant and unashamed by directing them to Jesus.
Through her 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Rachel equips women in their faith from writers and speakers to south Sudanese refugees. Rachel graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a Masters in Religion, cum laude. Prior to this, she served on ministry staff to women at Grace Chapel, a large non-denominational church in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Raised on the east coast of England, Rachel moved to New England with her husband. They now reside in NYC. In London, Rachel worked in newspaper and magazine publishing, including for the BBC Worldwide and The Independent newspaper. Rachel and her husband Colin have three young adult children spread across many time zones. She loves to travel and spend time hiking and skiing in the Rocky Mountains. Rachel cannot live without a mug of English tea.
Rachel is a British-born writer, speaker and blogger. She is author of books on prayer and a variety of devotionals. Her blog, rachelbritton.com, is for women of all ages to help them be bold on the journey through confident faith, bold prayer, and adventurous living. Rachel is Content Director for RADIANT NYC, an online magazine empowering NYC women to live radiant and unashamed by directing them to Jesus.
Through her 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Rachel equips women in their faith from writers and speakers to south Sudanese refugees. Rachel graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a Masters in Religion, cum laude. Prior to this, she served on ministry staff to women at Grace Chapel, a large non-denominational church in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Raised on the east coast of England, Rachel moved to New England with her husband. They now reside in NYC. In London, Rachel worked in newspaper and magazine publishing, including for the BBC Worldwide and The Independent newspaper. Rachel and her husband Colin have three young adult children spread across many time zones. She loves to travel and spend time hiking and skiing in the Rocky Mountains. Rachel cannot live without a mug of English tea.
Lucinda Secrest McDowell, M.T.S., is a storyteller and seasoned mentor who engages both heart and mind while “Helping you Choose a Life of Serenity & Strength.” A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Furman University, McDowell is the author of 15 books and contributing author to 30+ books. Her award-winning books include LIFE-GIVING CHOICES, SOUL STRONG, DWELLING PLACES, and ORDINARY GRACES. Lucinda, a member of the REDBUD WRITERS GUILD, received Mt. Hermon “Writer of the Year” award and guest blogs for The Write Conversation. Whether co-directing “RENEW ~ RETREAT FOR NEW ENGLAND WRITING,” pouring into young mamas, or leading a restorative day of prayer, she is energized by investing in people of all ages. Known for her ability to convey deep truth in practical and winsome ways, she writes from “Sunnyside” cottage in New England and blogs weekly at HTTPS://LUCINDASECRESTMCDOWELL.COM/
Lucinda Secrest McDowell, M.T.S., is a storyteller and seasoned mentor who engages both heart and mind while “Helping you Choose a Life of Serenity & Strength.” A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Furman University, McDowell is the author of 15 books and contributing author to 30+ books. Her award-winning books include LIFE-GIVING CHOICES, SOUL STRONG, DWELLING PLACES, and ORDINARY GRACES. Lucinda, a member of the REDBUD WRITERS GUILD, received Mt. Hermon “Writer of the Year” award and guest blogs for The Write Conversation. Whether co-directing “RENEW ~ RETREAT FOR NEW ENGLAND WRITING,” pouring into young mamas, or leading a restorative day of prayer, she is energized by investing in people of all ages. Known for her ability to convey deep truth in practical and winsome ways, she writes from “Sunnyside” cottage in New England and blogs weekly at HTTPS://LUCINDASECRESTMCDOWELL.COM/
Tessa is an award-winning author of historical and biblical fiction. Her novel Land of Silence was voted by Library Journal as one of the top five Christian fiction titles of 2016 and was nominated for the 2016 RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Harvest of Gold won the prestigious 2014 Christy Award in the Historical Romance category. Her book Harvest of Rubies was a finalist for the 2013 ECPA Book Award in the fiction category. In 2011, after publishing her first novel, Pearl in the Sand, Tessa was named New Author of the Year in the Family Fiction-sponsored Reader’s Choice Awards.
Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she was co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School for one year. She worked in women and prayer ministries for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer. Tessa speaks regularly at women’s events, and has keynoted at the Oregon Christian Writers Conference. Tessa is a devoted wife and mediocre tomato grower. But that has not cured her from being exceptionally fond of chocolate.
Connect with Tessa Afshar on her Website: TessaAfshar.com
Tessa is an award-winning author of historical and biblical fiction. Her novel Land of Silence was voted by Library Journal as one of the top five Christian fiction titles of 2016 and was nominated for the 2016 RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Harvest of Gold won the prestigious 2014 Christy Award in the Historical Romance category. Her book Harvest of Rubies was a finalist for the 2013 ECPA Book Award in the fiction category. In 2011, after publishing her first novel, Pearl in the Sand, Tessa was named New Author of the Year in the Family Fiction-sponsored Reader’s Choice Awards.
Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she was co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School for one year. She worked in women and prayer ministries for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer. Tessa speaks regularly at women’s events, and has keynoted at the Oregon Christian Writers Conference. Tessa is a devoted wife and mediocre tomato grower. But that has not cured her from being exceptionally fond of chocolate.
Connect with Tessa Afshar on her Website: TessaAfshar.com
Heidi Chiavaroli writes women's fiction, exploring places that whisper of historical secrets. Her debut novel, Freedom's Ring, was a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist, a Romantic Times Top Pick and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. She makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons. Visit her online at heidichiavaroli.com
Heidi Chiavaroli writes women's fiction, exploring places that whisper of historical secrets. Her debut novel, Freedom's Ring, was a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist, a Romantic Times Top Pick and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. She makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons. Visit her online at heidichiavaroli.com
Lori Stanley Roeleveld is an author, speaker, and disturber of hobbits who enjoys making comfortable Christians late for dinner. She’s authored three non-fiction books including Running from a Crazy Man, Jesus and the Beanstalk, and her latest, The Art of Hard Conversations, as well as a Christmas novella, Red Pen Redemption.
Though she has degrees in Psychology and Biblical Studies, Lori learned the most from studying her Bible in life’s trenches. Blogger. Wife. Mother of adults. Part-time giant-slayer. Not available for children’s parties.
Connect with Lori Roeleveld on her Website: LoriRoeleveld.com
Lori Stanley Roeleveld is an author, speaker, and disturber of hobbits who enjoys making comfortable Christians late for dinner. She’s authored three non-fiction books including Running from a Crazy Man, Jesus and the Beanstalk, and her latest, The Art of Hard Conversations, as well as a Christmas novella, Red Pen Redemption.
Though she has degrees in Psychology and Biblical Studies, Lori learned the most from studying her Bible in life’s trenches. Blogger. Wife. Mother of adults. Part-time giant-slayer. Not available for children’s parties.
Connect with Lori Roeleveld on her Website: LoriRoeleveld.com
Kirsten Panachyda writes to infuse courage into the soul-weary, especially parents of kids with mental illness. She is a speaker, Bible teacher, and award-winning writer. Her book Among Lions: Fighting for Faith while Parenting a Kid with Mental Illness is looking for a publishing home. Her work-in-progress is a novel set in first-century Britain.
Kirsten Panachyda writes to infuse courage into the soul-weary, especially parents of kids with mental illness. She is a speaker, Bible teacher, and award-winning writer. Her book Among Lions: Fighting for Faith while Parenting a Kid with Mental Illness is looking for a publishing home. Her work-in-progress is a novel set in first-century Britain.
Jennifer Drummond lives with her husband, two school aged children, and one sweet puppy in Hamilton MA. She loves photographing flowers and trees, writing poetry and looking for beauty all around, knowing that God speaks to us everywhere and all the time. In addition to providing spiritual direction locally and online, she reads voraciously by the fireplace and blogs somewhat regularly at “That Got Me Thinking.”
Jennifer Drummond lives with her husband, two school aged children, and one sweet puppy in Hamilton MA. She loves photographing flowers and trees, writing poetry and looking for beauty all around, knowing that God speaks to us everywhere and all the time. In addition to providing spiritual direction locally and online, she reads voraciously by the fireplace and blogs somewhat regularly at “That Got Me Thinking.”