The winter retreat at Toddhall Retreat Center  (February 27–March 1, 2026) was a refreshing and meaningful time of connection, reflection, and community. With a warm Unitarian Universalist spirit at its center, the retreat offered space for participants to slow down, enjoy one another’s company, and share in a spirit of welcome, curiosity, and care.

Spa Retreat Activities

The weekend had a gentle spa-retreat feeling that helped set a tone of rest and renewal. Participants enjoyed face masks, foot moisturizer socks, moisturizer gloves, and even doing manicures for one another, which added a playful and nurturing element to the experience. These simple activities supported the larger purpose of the retreat: creating time away from daily responsibilities to restore body, mind, and spirit.

AI Workshop

A workshop on **introduction to AI**, led by Elaine Orr, gave the retreat a thoughtful learning dimension and encouraged shared conversation. The small group size turned out to be a gift, allowing for deeper interaction and a more personal sense of community. Even though the group was small, it was lively, engaged, and fun, which made the retreat feel especially warm and connected.

Toddhall Experience

Toddhall provided an excellent setting for the weekend. The food was very good, the grounds offered many places to walk and enjoy the outdoors, and the weather was perfect throughout the retreat. All of these pieces came together to create an atmosphere that felt peaceful, welcoming, and restorative.

UU Community Spirit

Most importantly, the retreat reflected the values that make Unitarian Universalist gatherings so meaningful: belonging, shared learning, mutual care, and the joy of being together in community. It was a weekend that nourished participants not only through relaxation and good food, but also through meaningful connection and a spirit of openness and inclusion.

-- Kathy Miller

Our Fall Retreat at Cedar Valley in West Bend, Wisconsin was a weekend full of activities and relaxation. The weather was perfect, which gave participants a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful grounds of the retreat center. 

Kerry Hagy told us all about the Permaculture that she and her husband have cultivated on the grounds surrounding their home. It was quite fascinating and inspiring. The earth is our mother and caring for her should be a priority for us all. Ingrid Daudert spoke to us about “The Skin of Mother Earth,” which reinforced a lot of the information that Kerry shared with us. We also had a craft workshop that involved making ink prints using fruits and vegetables, thanks to Sage.

We managed to fit some advocacy in by taking a field trip to the No Kings March at the local county courthouse. There we met up with our dear friend, Dana and her husband. Lucky for us, Jody had some sign making materials in her car so we could put some together for the occasion.

Our evenings were spent doing puzzles, drumming, singing, reading poems and book excerpts, shopping at our vendors and enjoying the company of such amazing women. I am already looking forward to our next retreat.

-- Karen Kortsch