Happy Leap Day! Given this day comes around once every four years, the planning team and I are excited to use (or abuse) the occasion to ask you to take … wait for it … a leap of faith as we have done. We humbly ask you to join us on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at the inaugural gathering of The Well in downtown Des Moines.
At this point you may be asking yourself, “What is The Well?” Indeed, we have asked ourselves that question many times during the planning process. It’s new. It’s unique. It’s hard to put into words. It’s something completely different. Be all that as it may, our collective vision for this gathering is rapidly becoming a reality. Think 1/3 women’s conference, 1/3 spiritual retreat, and 1/3 ladies’ night out.
During the event you will be served lunch and dinner with a few snacks and desserts thrown in, too. Throughout the day you will hear talks given by faith-filled women addressing topics such as taking time for holy leisure and developing spiritual friendships, courtship with Jesus, being merciful with ourselves, building our “cathedrals,” and celebrating our God-given beauty and femininity. These talks will be given in “Ted Talk style” — that is, powerful talks containing ideas worth sharing in 18 minutes or less. In between these talks, you’ll have time to network with one another and share more deeply during structured-unstructured time. (Is that a thing?)
With a focus on encountering Jesus, live praise and worship music will form the soundtrack for our day, gently transitioning us from one opportunity to the next. In addition to the talks, the agenda includes time for individual prayer and reflection as well as communal worship at Saturday evening Vigil Mass.
Our evening activities are centered around fellowship, good food, and fun. Monsignor Frank Bognanno is our dinner “entertainment.” We put entertainment in quotes because, while we don’t think he’ll juggle flaming swords or ride around on a unicycle (although you just never know with Monsignor!), he will certainly encourage us with an inspiring and humorous message. We end the night by kicking up our heels to music provided by Musical Edge DJ Service.
Tomorrow the media will no doubt be abuzz with Super Tuesday political news. But we’re calling it Ticket Tuesday around here. Early bird tickets go on sale Tuesday, March 1 at midnight (CST). Let’s take a leap of faith together, shall we?
Ready … 1, 2, 3 … LEAP!
P.S., In the interim, some of your questions might be answered by consulting our list of FAQs.