Serving Refreshment to the Class of 2019

I brought a lot of baggage when I attended reFRESHMENt in the fall of my freshman year. Literally, I brought multiple bags to reFRESHMENt, as I pack the same amount for two nights as I would for an entire month. But I also brought along some emotional baggage.

During high school, I encountered friendship troubles and had to cope with death in my family and it caused me to question my faith. Although I attended retreats in high school, I never shared my personal struggles in these settings because I did not want to showcase my own vulnerabilities. My experience on reFRESHMENt was completely different. On reFRESHMENt, I found a truly safe space where I could freely open up about the emotions that had been mounting inside of me for so long. After hearing my small-group members share each of their own stories of unwavering faith in the midst of unimaginable circumstances, I felt no need to sugarcoat my own story. I experienced closure as I shared everything about my high school experience. For the first time, I could see the clarity of God’s presence even in the rough patches of my life. In this way, reFRESHMENt gave me the tools to build and strengthen my faith during the transition into college life.

While reFRESHMENt encourages thoughtful reflection, there is no shortage of fun on this retreat. From Ultimate Frisbee games and nature walks to delicious home-cooked meals and impromptu dance parties, reFRESHMENt is a break from the busyness of life on the Hilltop and it is an opportunity to meet incredible new friends.

I arrived at reFRESHMENt with a full suitcase, but I departed with a feeling of closure, a strengthened faith, a renewed sense of vocation, and a new family at Georgetown. No words can describe the impact that this retreat has had on my life, and I am beyond excited to be a sophomore leader for reFRESHMENt this year! New Hoyas: Consider this your formal invitation, wherever you may be in your faith journey, to join the reFRESHMENt family! Register here!

Written by Clara Cecil , B’18