This is an offsite event, ideal for anyone seeking
deep community and contemplation of end-of-life questions.
This is not a yoga retreat.

Bark Mill Farm Retreats Presents:

Our Beautiful Impermanence:
A Weekend of Conversation
on Death and Dying

Friday October 9 - Sunday October 11
Chelsea, Vermont

Join End-Of-Life Doulas Dr. Lucy Mize, DrPH in Public Health Leadership, and Annie Moyer, Master of Divinity in Buddhist-based chaplaincy, for an intimate, residential weekend of facilitated discussions on death and dying. With nature’s cycles, ancient wisdom, literature, and the arts as our muses, we will use curiosity and compassion to discuss the many aspects of death and dying in this intimate weekend retreat for 5-10 guests. We will gather in a country farm house built in 1797, located in Central Vermont surrounded by a pond, large gardens, walking trails, and the great peace of a New England autumn.

The Details

Weekend Sketch

Friday Evening, October 9

  • Arrive and settle by 6p

  • 6p - 7:30p: Welcome Dinner

  • 7:30p - 9p: Death Archetypes. An assessment tool and follow-up discussion designed to provide insight into how you approach death and dying.

Saturday October 10

  • 8a -9:30a: Breakfast

  • 10a - 12p:  The Language of Death. Activity and discussion focused on word framing, cultural preferences, and conversation-shaping.

  • 12p - 1:30p: Lunch

  • 1:30p - 3:30p: Counting the Losses. An exercise and discussion that uncovers losses we have dealt with, including people, pets and professions in our counting. This past experience had a profound impact on how we will deal with future loss.

  • 3:30p - 5:30p: Free Time. Choose your afternoon’s delight – contemplation, nature walk, nap, read, or sightseeing

  • 6p - 7p: Supper

  • 7:30p - 9:30p: Living in Dying – How Will You Go? Envision scenarios and prioritize wishes for your own or a for a loved one’s death. If weather permits, our session will be around a bonfire by the pond, as there is nothing like gazing at the stars to give a sense of how small human life is!

Sunday October 11

  • 8a -9:30a: Breakfast

  • 10a - 12p:  What Our Body Houses. Somatic movement led by a local trauma-informed healing artist and dancer to make the final connection between mind and body, heart and soul.

  • 12p - 1p: Lunch and Closing Ritual.

Onward: To make the most of your time in this peaceful setting, guests are welcome to remain on the farm and spend the night at no extra cost. All departures to be completed by mid-day Monday.

Lodging

Our beautifully restored 1797 farmhouse has five rooms available for the retreat (plus two for the hosts). The five available bedrooms can be booked as singles or doubles. There is one downstairs bedroom for anyone with mobility concerns. Bathrooms are shared: one bath on the ground floor and two upstairs bathrooms – one with a large walk-in shower, the other with a smaller walk-in shower.

Meals

All meals will be prepared and served onsite, with vegetarian options available. Fruit, tea, and snacks will also be available throughout the weekend.

Alcohol will not be served during the weekend, however, if you enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, you are welcome to provide your own.

Transportation Options

  1. Self-Drive: The village is about three hours from Boston, five hours from New York, and nine hours from the Washington, D.C. area.

  2. Fly: Burlington, Vermont, is the closest airport. With car rental, it is a 1.25 hour drive to Chelsea. From Boston, it is a three-hour drive. United, American and Southwest all serve Burlington.

  3. Train: Service from Washington, New York, and Boston. The closest train station is Randolph, Vermont. The organizers can either send a car for pickup or an Uber can be arranged ahead. It is about a 35 minute drive from Randolph.

  4. Rideshare: This will depend on who registers for the retreat. We are happy to connect those who wish to rideshare.

Cancellation Policy

Due to space limitation, no refunds after September15 unless we are able to fill your spot. We highly recommend travel insurance. 

Important Considerations

This is not a grief support experience. While Annie and Lucy are professional facilitators and experienced guides in compassionate settings, they are not licensed psychotherapists, and it is outside of their scope to clinically support any deep bereavement or acute death trauma. Because of the intimate nature of the weekend, it will be helpful for us to know a bit about why you’re choosing to participate. Creating a safe container for all participants is our highest priority.

Program Cost

Your fee of $1500 includes lodging, all meals, and the full weekend program. Travel to and from Vermont is not included.

To register your interest

FILL OUT THIS SHORT, REQUIRED QUESTIONNAIRE to ensure so that we may best serve the group with support, nurturance, and care. You will be notified within a week. Space will be guaranteed upon receipt of payment.

Your Guides for the Weekend

Lucy Mize has a Doctoral Degree in Public Health Leadership and an ACC certified Executive Leadership Coach. Her dissertation topic was on End of Life Doulas in Vermont, and Lucy has completed the End of Life Doula program at the University of Vermont. Her interest stems from the early days of the HIV epidemic in the US, when she was working as a clinician as many young men died in the wards.

Annie Moyer has a Master of Divinity in Buddhist-based chaplaincy, and is an interfaith hospital chaplain. A former high school English teacher, Annie has also taught yoga for over two decades and led many yoga retreats and weekend workshops, and is the co-owner of Sun & Moon Yoga Studio. Annie is an End of Life Doula through the University of Vermont.

Together, they will bring their experience and passion to lead this retreat.