Surprised by the Light

In January, Well of Mercy hosted our annual Wintering retreat led by the one and only Brenda Wallace. Prior to retreatants arriving, Brenda sent each staff member out to the guest rooms carrying battery operated candles and strict instructions to “light” them. What an honor to carry the light to our guests! And, what a nice surprise for our guests - there is something warm and inviting about candlelight.

Where are you surprised by the light these days? We know the things that have gone dim—the situations that worry us, trouble us, and anger us—the violence and threats of violence in the news. Where do we find light? We know where the shadows are—the people who get on our nerves and the way we feel when we interact with them. Where do we find God’s light these days? Where are we finding places to soak in that light? Spiritually, these are important moments to notice.

If we immerse ourselves in stories of despair and destruction, we will become overwhelmed. If all we hear is bad news and blame, we will be overcome. So we have to search out the light and place ourselves right in the middle of it. For what it’s worth, I can tell you a few places where I’m finding light.

A few minutes of morning silence. Often, when I close my eyes, it’s still dark outside. When I open them again, the light has come! I also find light in creating things—cards, paintings, poetry, music. When we immerse ourselves in creativity, we forget ourselves, and light gets in. 

Light comes when I take walks and notice scratchy trees lifting themselves to the evening sky. Reading a well-written sentence brings light. Remembering to say thank you brings light. Doing something for someone else brings light. Graciously allowing someone to do something for me brings light. Turning my attention toward how I can bless another person’s life brings light. These things don’t fix everything that’s wrong in the world, but they remind me that I have a choice every day: I can live in the light, or I can deepen the shadows.

I’m not discounting the state of the world—I’m simply offering the reminder that light shines in the darkness. And as we find ways to place ourselves where we can soak in that light, we may discover that we begin to shine it too—and the world becomes a brighter place.

I look forward to seeing you soon at Well of Mercy. Rest assured that we will leave the light on for you!

Lea Slaton

Executive Director



Accepting Monthly Donations to Local Charities

Staff at Well of Mercy found it deeply meaningful to collect and donate food items in December for Iredell Christian Ministries. In fact, the experience inspired us so much that we plan to collect and donate a variety of items to different charities throughout 2026.

If you feel moved to give, we’ll keep you informed in each newsletter about what we’re collecting. In February, we will be accepting diaper donations—especially sizes 3, 4, and 5. You are welcome to bring your donations through the end of February, after which we will deliver everything to Iredell Christian Ministries.

Let’s spread a little mercy in the world!



~ February ~

~ March ~

~ April ~

~ Retreats Coming Soon! ~

Earth Day Retreat with Forest Bathing

Nurturing Abilities Day Retreat

~ Sold Out Retreat? Wait List Available ~

Praying the Hours Retreat

February 19-21, 2026 - $350

WAITLIST

Healing Words: Mindful Writing for Self-Care

February 6-8, 2026 - $290

WAITLIST

Monks Walk for Peace and Non-Violence

In the cold days of winter a group of monks, some barefoot, are walking from Texas to D.C. to raise awareness of the importance of peace. The 120-day, 2300 mile walk started in Texas and will end in Washington. The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America. The monks have over a million followers online, and people all along the way are taking to the streets to see and meet the monks as they journey. Their path brought them this past week to North Carolina.

The Monks’ Walk for Peace and Non-Violence is a public, prayerful witness that embodies the Sisters of Mercy Critical Concern of Non-Violence. By walking together in silence, prayer, and community, the monks offer a visible commitment to rejecting violence in all its forms and promoting peace rooted in justice, compassion, and human dignity.

The Sisters of Mercy define non-violence not only as the absence of physical violence, but as an active commitment to dismantling systemic injustice, oppression, racism, and economic inequality. The monks’ walk reflects this broader understanding by transforming prayer into action—moving faith beyond words into embodied solidarity.

Walking itself becomes a powerful symbol. Each step can represent: resistance to structures of violence and domination, to solidarity with communities harmed by war, poverty, racism, and injustice, to a call to conversion of heart, inviting individuals and society to choose peace.

The monks’ presence in public spaces mirrors the Sisters of Mercy’s call to “act in partnership with others to promote non-violence at every level—personal, communal, and global.” Their peaceful procession challenges a culture that normalizes violence and instead proclaims that lasting peace is possible through mercy, dialogue, and justice.

Together, the Monks’ Walk and the Sisters of Mercy’s Critical Concern of Non-Violence affirm that peace is not passive. It is a courageous, faith-filled commitment to live differently—choosing compassion over fear, justice over domination, and love over violence.

The Monks’ Walk reminds us that peace begins within, but it cannot stay there. Inspired by the monks and the Sisters of Mercy, we can commit to living non-violence as a daily practice—one step, one choice, one act of mercy at a time.

I was personally blessed to be able to witness the monks walking and the peace talk. As I stood in the cold, under a clear starlit night with the street sides lined with others, I was grateful for the opportunity to be there. As the monks came into my vision, what I noticed first was their smiles. In the freezing cold, late at night after walking all day, they were smiling. There was a sense of hope. Personally, I felt that hope and connection of compassion. And I also just wanted to take them inside and give them a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea! After the monks had gone inside for a comfort break they came back out to speak. The Venerable Monk said, “Peace always begins inside. Without peace on the inside there is no peace in the family. Without peace in the family, there is no peace in our community and in our country-without peace in our community and country there is no peace in the world.” The message he said and demonstrated was that we all can “walk together to make peace happen.” As we walk together may we remember words of scripture: What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Peace be with you.

Connie Hoffner

Thank You for Giving

As we closed out the year, you chose to give—and because of you, people have a place to step away. A place to exhale. A place where the noise quiets and the heart can catch its breath. Your end-of-year generosity creates space—space to rest, to listen, to be still before God.

For many, Well of Mercy is a safe place to grieve, to lay down burdens, questions, and tears without needing to explain them. Because of you, they are welcomed into peace, beauty, and the steady reminder that God is near.

Thank you for giving at the end of the year and helping carry this sacred place into the year ahead.

Well of Mercy's Core Values



Well of Mercy, a retreat ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, grounded in the spirit of hospitality, provides quiet sanctuary and time in nature for reflection, rest and renewal for those choosing sacred time apart, enriching their spiritual and emotional wellbeing.