August 3rd-7th, 2026

With Dr. Elizabeth

Schrader Polczer

Registration is now closed for our August retreat, stay tuned for updates about our next Malibu retreat!

Resurrecting the Magdalene

During this retreat, we will be learning about Mary Magdalene, the woman usually understood to be Jesus’s most prominent female follower. Dr. Elizabeth Schrader Polczer will be sharing her new research with us, exploring the figure of Mary Magdalene in several arenas: the Christian gospels, Church Fathers, changes to manuscripts, and extracanonical texts. This research sheds new light on what many have suspected: Mary Magdalene was controversial from the very beginnings of Christianity, and certain aspects of her story may have been suppressed or changed by the powers that be. This retreat will offer participants an opportunity to learn about the cutting edge of Mary Magdalene research, and contemplates ways in which our own voices have been suppressed, whether by others or even ourselves. Through new peer reviewed research and group discussions, we will talk about what Mary means to each of us, and how her story can help us resurrect the Magdalene within.

Dr. Elizabeth "Libbie" Schrader Polczer is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Villanova University, having recently defended her PhD in Early Christianity and New Testament at Duke University. Her studies focus on textual criticism, Mary Magdalene, and the Gospel of John.

Elizabeth transitioned to religious scholarship after a long career as a singer/songwriter. She was the first winner of the Pantene Pro-Voice competition in 2001, after a performance opening for Jewel at SummerStage in New York's Central Park. Prizes included a nationwide club tour with Poe, as well as a demo deal with Atlantic Records. Her band also took part in Jewel's "Soul City Cafe" program for independent artists, and opened three shows on Jewel's "This Way" tour. She has opened for other artists as diverse as India.Arie, Michelle Branch, Ray LeMontagne, and Rusted Root.

After writing a song about Mary Magdalene, Elizabeth enrolled in the M.A. program at General Theological Seminary. Her interest in the text of John's Gospel culminated in the publication of her Master's thesis in the Harvard Theological Review. She has published additional peer-reviewed papers in the Journal of Biblical Literature, TC: A Journal of Biblical Textual Criticism, The Comparative Oriental Manuscript Studies Bulletin, and the Journal of Early Christian Studies.

Get ready to…

  • Experience daily worship in multiple engaging formats

  • Enjoy the live accompaniment of our skilled and thoughtful musicians

  • Engage deeply in small groups with the practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading)

  • Exercise your creative muscles in our Art Room and through group activities

  • Establish connections with other spiritually curious participants

  • Engross yourself in the beautiful natural setting of Zephyr Point Conference Center, including walking trails and Lake Tahoe access

ABOUT US

NEXT RETREAT

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • After our last Lectio Group, we got ready for our last worship service. Dr. Luther Smith preached a great sermon, and just like the rest of the week, the worship was phenomenal. One line that Luther shared during this sermon, from Howard Thurman, really sunk in for me. It was about prayer, and the power of prayer in the lives of those doing the praying. Thurman said: 'God’s answer to a prayer may be no, but God’s answer to a pray-er is always yes'.

    Adam Walker-Cleveland - Tahoe Retreat

  • “I was desperate for silence, but to do my inner work, I also needed the support of beauty and love. These I received.”

    -S. S. - Tahoe Retreat

  • “This was the best of the best of any retreat I have ever attended.  My challenge in my spiritual path is to get out of my head and into my body and heart.  The content, process, and pacing really supported that.” 

    M. R . - Malibu Retreat

  • "This week was so much more than I could have imagined – a gift of grace, creativity, and beauty.” 

    C.A.