The Forgotten Angel

As December winds down and January winds up, many of us begin the tedious task of packing away our decorations. When I finally find the gumption to start in my own home, I always forget something. I seal the boxes, feel a bit smug… and then, there it is—a snowman, a star, or better yet, an angel. The forgotten angel. (Which really should be the title of something.) I carry her back to the boxes, wrap her in bubble wrap, and tuck her away for another year.

But I wonder about that. The house looks so empty once the decorations come down. Maybe we should leave the forgotten angel out—let her help us remember that the hope and joy of the season don’t end when the décor disappears. In fact, that might be exactly when they begin to take root. Maybe we should keep her out and change her location from time to time—like a kinder, gentler “elf on the shelf”—moving her to places that could use a touch of angelic visitation.

She could perch on my desk when I’m in a rut and need a little of the inspiration I feel on candlelit Christmas Eves when the first notes of Silent Night flood the air.

If someone is grieving at Well, she could rest in their room—offering comfort, keeping company with their sadness, and helping lift their hearts toward God.

When retreats and reservations begin again, she could flutter around the chapel, blessing the New Year. She could spend time on the labyrinth, inspiring those who walk and pray. She could wander the prayer trail as a companion to all who seek God on this sacred land. She could even attend staff and board meetings, keeping our feet planted on higher ground.

So as we inch toward 2026 and start putting things away, here’s my encouragement: if you forget a decoration, leave it out proudly. Put it where you’ll see it every day. And if you don’t forget one, choose one and set it out anyway. Let it be your reminder throughout the year that God so loved this world—including you. Let it remind you that even when the headlines unsettle us, we still live in a world of angel choirs and starry nights. Let it remind you that love’s pure light shines on, and something sacred is always afoot—especially at Well of Mercy.

Hope to see you soon!

Lea Slaton

Executive Director



~ January ~

~ February ~

~ March ~

~ Retreats Coming Soon! ~

Let the Water Teach You: A Contemplative Watercolor Retreat

Earth Day Retreat with Forest Bathing

Nurturing Abilities Day Retreat

~ Sold Out Retreat? Wait List Available ~

Wintering: The Art of Comfortably Slowing Down

January 14-17, 2026 - $450-$540

WAITLIST

The Season of the Seeds

During January, there may not seem to be much to notice in the garden at first glance. Trees rest in dormancy, and shades of gray, brown, and beige settle over the landscape. The vibrant greens and colorful blooms of spring and summer have quietly withdrawn, leaving the evergreens to hold our attention. I like to think of this time of year as the season of the seeds. They are the often unseen stars of the earth. If you slow down on a winter walk and look more closely at what appears to be finished or lifeless, you may find hundreds of tiny seeds each waiting for a breeze or a gentle brushing to release them to the ground, where they will rest until the right moment to germinate.

Throughout the winter months, these seeds offer quiet nourishment to the birds who remain with us. You may notice them moving softly through the garden, pausing on dried stems or bare branches, sustained by what the land has carefully saved. Their presence is a reminder that even in stillness, life is being supported in subtle and generous ways, often beyond what we first notice.

In much the same way, winter invites us into a season of inner dormancy. While outward growth may feel paused, something essential is quietly taking shape beneath the surface. This is a time for rest, reflection, and trust. A time when the seeds of insight, healing, and intention are gently settling into the deeper soil of our lives. Let us honor this slower rhythm, allowing what is meant to grow within us to take root in its own time and emerge when the season is right.

 “Night and day, whether he sleeps or rises, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.”

— Mark 4:27

Wishing you many blessings in the new year! 

Jordan Marvin

Landscape Coordinator

Help Keep this Sacred Space Available for Everyone

As the year winds down, many of us feel that gentle tug to pause and look back. We see the places God met us, the moments we caught our breath, and the spaces where we found a little healing. Well of Mercy has been that place for so many—offering rest, quiet, and room to simply be.

If this ministry has touched your life, we invite you to consider an end-of-year gift. Your generosity helps keep this sacred space available for every guest who needs a moment to breathe, pray, or find their way again.

Thank you for standing with us, caring for this place, and helping us welcome each person who crosses our threshold. Your kindness truly makes a difference.

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.