Important Things To Know

DO YOU NEED HOTEL OPTIONS?

SUPER IMPORTANT DETAILS

for 2023 SISTERSPIRIT RETREAT ATTENDEES

It’s getting close! 2023 SisterSpirit is March 30 - April 2, 2023!  We are excitedly preparing for your arrival! There’s lots of juicy information here – created to answer all your questions!

Please read  carefully, as there are some very important steps and updates that you must know prior to traveling to Seabeck Conference Center and while onsite with us for the event. Keep this information handy!

March 2023 COVID-19 safety measures that need your attention: 

• We learned on March 18th that Seabeck is no longer requiring COVID-19 testing for their guests. Your health and safety are very important to us. We still strongly recommend that you test within 72 hours of joining us at the retreat center so we can maintain a bubble of safety within our group. There will be other groups. 

• Face masks: Currently there is no mask requirement for the retreat. However, State officials still advise people to continue wearing properly fitted face masks in most indoor settings. Be aware that there will be other groups meeting at Seabeck during our retreat who may not have recently tested for COVID-19 and our attendees will be co-mingling with guests from the other groups during mealtimes in the Main Dining Room. Mask wearing is your choice. You may also choose to eat outside in the covered Pavilion (dress warmly or bring a blanket!).

• Reminder: Seabeck policy requires that anyone testing positive or showing signs of COVID-19 should immediately leave the campus grounds.

Cancellations: If you are unable to attend the retreat for any reason, it is important that you contact Marylyn Kirk at 408-504-5121 or Cathy Gucker at 541-222-0863 by TUESDAY, March 28th so that we won’t worry about you. The team leaves for the retreat center early on Wednesday, March 29th to prepare for your beautiful presence, so it is unlikely either Marylyn or Cathy will get your message on Wednesday due to limited cell phone reception. If you must reach us, please call the Seabeck Conference Center at 360-830-5010 and leave a message. If you cannot attend, but have a substitute who can, we need to know as soon as possible so appropriate arrangements can be made. 

Refunds: There are no refunds unless you cancel by March 29th, and the cancellation is for a medical emergency. Acceptable medical emergencies are:

• You test positive for COVID-19 after 3/16/23, or you are in close proximity and exposed to a COVID-19 positive person on or after 3/16/23.

• You are personally taking care of a COVID-19 positive family member in the home, or you have a COVID-19 positive family member in the hospital.

• You are admitted to the hospital for any reason.

• Recent death of an immediate family member.

For anyone cancelling their registration by March 29th and requesting a refund based on a medical emergency, we will refund 50% of the amount paid minus the $50 administrative fee. 

Arrival and Departure: Please arrive at Seabeck on Thursday, March 30th, between 1:15-3:30 pm to check-in. This will provide adequate time for you to unload your gear before our first gathering. Travel time from SEA-TAC is approximately 2 hours (68.5 mi) via I-5 S and WA-16 W, and no ferry crossing is required. If traveling from North of Seattle, please allow plenty of time to take the Edmonds/Kingston Ferry or the Seattle/Bremerton Ferry. The Ferry schedules can be found at: https://wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/. Our closing ceremony will be on Sunday morning followed by lunch. Plan to depart Seabeck by 2:00 pm on Sunday. Seabeck policy requires that all attendees have left the campus by 2:00 pm. Please honor your commitment to arrive on time and remain until the end of the retreat on Sunday.

Carpool: Please make your own carpool arrangements on the Google doc located at SisterSpirit 2023 Carpool document. It's fun to share a ride with someone and make a new friend while being environmentally friendly. Be sure to share the cost of gas, tolls, car rental or ferry expenses with your driver. If you have a car with extra space for passengers, please consider helping and add your name to the carpool list. This year many of our attendees are from out of state.

Shuttle Transportation: If you fly into the Seattle (SEA-SeaTac) airport, you can arrange to take a shuttle to Silverdale (nearby city to Seabeck) and then take a taxi from Silverdale to Seabeck. You need to make your own arrangements for this.

Pre- and Post-Retreat Hotel Accommodations: For the first time ever, SisterSpirit is offering discounted rates on hotels near SeaTac Airport for your arrival and departure from the retreat. We have negotiated a deal to receive up to 15% off the Best Available Rates at specific hotels. If you are interested in booking, please click on the link below and provide the necessary information. We will be happy to arrange the booking for you at no extra cost. Click here: Hotel Information and registration form.

Informational volunteer meeting: If you are willing to be in service during the retreat, there will be an informational volunteer meeting at 4:15 in the Meeting Room in PINES first floor meeting room, followed by our Welcome Gathering and Orientation meeting at 5:00.

Welcome Gathering and Orientation: At 5:00 in Pines first floor meeting room, we will get acquainted and go over a few housekeeping details. Dinner will follow at 6:00 in the DINING ROOM at midcampus. Our first Session and Opening Ceremony will be at 7:30 in Pines first floor meeting room.

Meals: If you are a vegetarian/vegan and indicated this on your registration form, there will be appropriate food choices for you. Our caterer has been informed of any special diets or food allergies that you may have listed. There is a small, shared refrigerator in the Dining Room for special food needs or to store required medications, or bring your own cooler. Ice is available on the porch outside the Dining Room.

Bathrooms/showers and linens: Bathrooms and showers are shared with your roommate(s). All bedding, pillows, towels, and washcloths are provided. All downstairs rooms in Salal and all rooms in Pines are wheelchair accessible.

What to Bring: The full list of recommended items is on the What to Bring tab. Please label everything! Some women do snore, so bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper. Also, no pets are allowed at Seabeck Conference Center per our contract. Bring business cards/event flyers for our community table, labeled photos of departed loved ones for our ancestor altar and drums, rattles, flutes, guitars, ukuleles, or other musical instruments for our drumming circles.

Fun Clothing: The Dream Team is planning to wear certain colors for each of the main sessions and we invite you to join in. Of course, this is optional! Thursday 7:30 PM: Tie-dye and rainbow colors; Friday 10:00 AM: Orange, red, yellow, and brown; Friday 7:30 PM: Black, silver, grey, gothic and steam punk; Saturday 10:00 AM: Spring green and Spring colors; Sunday 10:00 AM: Purple and white.

Weather: Late March and early April at Seabeck experiences almost constant cloud cover, with the percentage of time that the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy is about 68%. The average daily temperature is 52 degrees and average low temperature is 36 degrees. There’s a 50% chance of rain or showers. Cell Phone and Wi-Fi reception: Cell phone reception is limited especially with Sprint or AT&T carriers. Wi-Fi service may be spotty. Be prepared to be "technologically unplugged" for a few days, just in case! Seabeck has a 24-hour phone number to leave with your family, and it is 360-830-5010.

Artisan Faire: On Saturday afternoon from 2:30-4:00, there will be an Artisan Faire in Pines. If you have personally created arts, crafts, jewelry, pottery, fiber art, paintings, have authored a book or produced your own music (CDs or otherwise), this is YOUR time to shine. Price your items and bring your displays, your own change, Square or paper credit card authorization forms for sales. We can’t wait to see your creations! It will be fun to support our sisters in their creative endeavors and purchase some unique items. Bring some extra cash to go shopping!

Retreat spiritual leader, guest speaker & musician: Rev. Abigail Schairer, Associate Minister at Center for Spiritual Living, Seattle is our retreat Spiritual Leader, main speaker, and facilitator. Many of the main sessions will also be facilitated by the Dream Team. Rickie Byars, an uplifting and dynamic singer, songwriter, and storyteller is our featured musician and guest speaker! Get ready for some powerful feminine energy!

Workshops & free time: There will be a variety of workshops to choose from where supplies will be provided. You can also choose to skip the workshops and enjoy time to bask in the sun (or rain-LOL), take a nap, read a book, journal, or hike around the area. Gift Exchange: Should you have any gently used jewelry, other spiritual items, or books you would like to gift to someone else, please bring them to the Gift Exchange table. If you find something you like, feel free to give that item a new loving home!

Divine Expression Theater: Our Saturday night talent show, Divine Expression Theater, will be your chance to try out your entertainment skills. All performance pieces (songs, dances, skits, poetry, stand-up comedy, musical solos, whatever!) are welcome for your 3 minutes of fame. Be sure to bring any props, music, costumes, instruments, CDs, etc., that will enhance your special talents (especially sheet music if you want our fabulous musician to accompany you). Sign up for Divine Expression Theater at Registration when you arrive at Seabeck. (How many minutes will you have to perform? Three!)

Dates for 2024 SisterSpirit: SisterSpirit 2024 will be held April 4-7, 2024, the weekend following Easter. Pre-registration for attendees for 2024 will be available at the retreat. You can pre-register yourself and/or a friend or relative for next year for $99. This amount will apply to your 2024 registration fee, you will receive a $40 discount off the 2024 retreat, AND you will be able to register a few weeks ahead of regular registration. You will have first choice of lodging before registration opens to the public. Checks, cash, or debit/credit cards are accepted for pre-registration.

We are super excited to see you again or meet for the first time. We can’t wait to be with you at this transformational retreat where we will experience Creative Expression, Wonder and Joy! Oh MY!

We will see you at Seabeck on Thursday, March 30th between 1:15 and 3:30pm!

Love, 2023 SisterSpirit Dream Team

Rev. Abigail Schairer, Marylyn Kirk-RScP, Cathy Gucker, Michelle Lang, Rev. Lynda Lundry-Starr, Cheryl

Gifford, Julieanna Smith, and Rev. Donna Starr