Flowing with Spirit: A Singing Water Retreat
Register with link below:
https://forms.gle/582mAQ3fv89yLSBRA
About 70 of us will gather together at the Flowing with the Spirit Singing Water Retreat, March 27-29, 2026 at the beautiful Bethel Horizons Retreat Center in Dodgeville, WI.
We gather to honor the water within ourselves and each other as well as the waters all around us. As we enter the Spring Equinox we will commune with the land and nourish community connection in a 2-day singing ceremony honoring the water. In the Community Singing model, there is no music to read. In this oral tradition, call & response, “you can’t do it wrong!” ALL voices are welcome!
The month of March recognizes water on World Water Day, in an annual United Nations observance day. In the like, we acknowledge Water is Life in song and ceremony. We sing our gratitude to the water for how it nourishes, replenishes, purifies and restores every one of us.
Together, we will flow with the spirit of Water, honoring her essence through song, art, dance, and story—celebrating her power to nourish, cleanse, bring joy and connect all life.
We are honored to have the following Song Carriers guiding us throughout the weekend. With deep gratitude we welcome Liz Rog from Decorah, Shri Steep from Elkhorn, WI, Megan Eberhardt from Chicago, Lauren McElroy and Kva Mary Wajer from Viroqua! Each song leader brings their own unique spirit, voice, and devotion to song as medicine—weaving all participants into a glorious resonant singing community.
This retreat is the result of a heartfelt collaboration between Kva Mary Wajer and Diane Littel, two vision-keepers who share a deep love for community, song, and ceremony. Together, Kva, Diane, the Song Leaders, as well as the willing participants weave their gifts during this retreat where water, music, movement, and community flow as one. Our collaboration reflects the heart of WisconSing—our desire to create a safe place where songs are shared, healing/transformation is supported, and each person is welcomed into the circle as part of the living, breathing tapestry of belonging.
Guided by the Spiral of the Joanna Macy Work that Reconnects, we'll come in Friday evening grounding in gratitude, gathering in a large circle to sing together and for the Water—exploring her qualities through sound and song. Saturday we’ll move into Cleansing, honoring our grief and releasing through song. Saturday afternoon invites time to sink in and soften, choosing from explorations in art, wandering, and/or song. Saturday evening, Diane will lead our community in a Water Ceremony, guiding us into a space of seeing with new eyes, expressed through intuitive movement, song, and open-hearted connection. Sunday morning, we go forth flowing, celebrating, and waterfalling, integrating the wonder of Water within and all around us. Closing Circle follows after lunch, completing our spiral together.
Diane Littel, Kenew Naewaeqnen “Golden Eagle Wind” of the Menominee Nation, will be your ceremonialist for the weekend. Diane will hold sacred space and guide us through ritual, culminating in a co-created Communal Water Ceremony on Saturday evening—a time to honor, bless, and flow together in unity and gratitude.
Jenny Cain, whose heart and artistry bring beauty to life, will grace our gathering with her gift for creating sacred altars, including a communal altar for event participants to create together.
Our event opens on Friday, March 27 at 5:00pm with a potluck dinner, and closes at 3pm on Sunday, March 29. Registration includes lodging Friday & Saturday nights, all programming, tax, access to the wondrous Bethel grounds and 5 hearty meals by the Bethel Horizons chefs (Saturday breakfast - Sunday lunch). This is an adult/teen event.
Registration details:
“Flowing with the Spirit” - Singing Water Retreat registration includes: 2 nights lodging, 5 delicious vegetarian meals, tax, all programming and access to Bethel Horizon's beautiful grounds for the weekend. Price is dependent on your choice of accommodations. We have 4 separate housing options, most rooms are shared by 3-4 participants. There is a limited number of double and private rooms available.
We are offering a sliding scale payment in the hope that no one will be turned away for a lack of funds. The fee scales are starting with the lowest Winter Camping Community Supported $220 - the highest Prairie Center Private room $595 Community Supporter. Based on donations we hope to fund partial scholarships.
Register Here:
