Reclaiming Mary Magdalene: An Embodied Journey Using Scripture, Art, and Ritual 

with Beth Maczka 

March 21-22, 2026
Myers Park Baptist Church

Join scholar and theologian Beth Maczka for a two-day exploration of Mary Magdalene as Apostle to the Apostles. Through scripture, art history, ritual, and embodied practice, this retreat invites participants to rediscover the depth, authority, and spiritual significance of one of Christianity’s most compelling figures. The event offers both education and spiritual formation, inviting participants to encounter Mary Magdalene not only as a historical figure, but as a living spiritual presence shaping faith today.

Saturday March 21, 2026 | Conference-Style Retreat

Reclaiming Mary Magdalene
An Embodied Journey through Scripture, Art, and Ritual 

Register for Mary Magdalene Retreat

Come to a quiet place within, where we may explore the numinous depths of the Apostle to the Apostles—not only in our minds, but in our hearts and souls where her deeper meanings and energy can be experienced. 

We will learn more of the importance of this woman who followed and spent much time with Jesus as his close follower and possibly the apostle who understood his teachings to a greater depth than anyone. 

Scholar and theologian, Beth Maczka, will lead us on a journey through scripture and art history to trace the steps of Mary Magdalene as Jesus’s anointer and the proclaimer of the resurrection—the Apostle to the Apostles. 

Truly I tell you, wherever the Gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her. - Mark 14:9 NRSV 

Beth Maczka’s original research on Mary Magdalene began with an exploration of the anointing story in Mark 14. It led her on a two-month research trip to six countries to find images of the anointing of Jesus’s head. Beth discovered Mary Magdalene in Medieval and Early Christian Art, where her image was previously suppressed or made anonymous. Beth will show us Contemporary Art that depicts Mary Magdalene’s power and authority. 

Each part of the retreat will include lectures enhanced by role-play, illuminating scripture verses, sensory exegesis, body prayer, chanting, and an anointing ritual. What is this Apostle to the apostles trying to teach you? 

Beth’s talk will have an educational aspect, but because she has already spent years researching and discovering the present-day Magdalene energy her talk with us will be quite personal. 

Mary Magdalene is one of the most influential figures in the history of the Christian faith, and in this present time she symbolizes the emergence of the Divine Feminine in religions and spiritual cultures throughout the world. She is offering us a more alive and vital Christianity for women and men. Please join us as we re-discover and re-claim this compelling and mystical saint as we discern where she is leading us today. 

The Schedule

Saturday, March 21, 2026
9:30 am- 3:30 pm
Heaton Hall 

9:30 am | Attendees gather for fellowship | coffee, water, and snacks provided 
10:00 am | Session 1 | Welcome and Introductions 
10:15 am | Session 2 | Anointing Scriptures, Research on Mary Magdalene as the Anointer 
11:30 am | Session 3 | Medieval Art--Searching for the anointing of Jesus’s head 
12:00 pm | Lunch break | Please plan to bring a bagged lunch. 
12:45 pm | Session 4 | Early Christian Art, The Orante, “The Praying One.” 
1:30 pm | Session 5 | Contemporary Art 
2:15 pm | 15-minute break
2:30 pm | Session 6 | Closing Ritual
3:30 pm | Retreat concludes 

Each session includes Beth’s original research, slides, and embodied activities such as role-play, art activities, body postures, and small-group sharing.

We're keeping this gathering small and meaningful with a capacity of 65 guests, so we encourage you to register soon. The cost is $75 per person and includes the full day of events, plus refreshments and snacks. Payments can be made online during registration or by sending a check with "Mary Magdalene Retreat" on the memo line to Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207.

Register for Mary Magdalene Retreat

All events on Sunday are free and open to the public.

Sunday, March 22, 2026 | Worship and Lecture

Worship Service | 10 am | Sanctuary
Sermon | The Women of Holy Week 

Beth Maczka’s sermon will offer what is, for most Christians, a different focus for Holy Week. Rather than looking at the three traditional Gospel accounts of Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and the disciples’ flight, she will shift the focus to how the women of Holy Week responded. She will do this by sharing her recently commissioned artwork by Lázaro Ceballos Fernández of Matanzas, Cuba, entitled: "The Women of Holy Week—The Anointer, The Witnesses, and The Proclaimer." 

The exhibit centers on the anointing of Jesus, in which he promises that the anointer will be remembered throughout the world (Mark 14:9); the women who accompany Jesus and witness the crucifixion (all Gospels); and, finally, Mary Magdalene proclaiming the resurrection to the disciples (John 20:18). 

Near the service’s conclusion, Beth will invite us to participate in a potentially powerful ritual of anointing. 

Lecture | An Introduction to The Gospel of Mary
11:15 am to 12:45 pm | Heaton Hall 

The Gospel of Mary is a non-Canonical gospel dated to the early 2nd century of the Common Era (CE). Researchers attribute the writing of this Gospel to Mary Magdalene or to a member of her community. 

Beth Maczka will share a brief history of The Gospel of Mary. She will highlight significant passages that shed light on the beliefs of an early Christian community. Current scholarship has revealed 21st century discoveries of additional papyrus fragments, suggesting that the story of this gospel is still unfolding.