Soulful Art
We love expressing ourselves through artistic creativity - even those of us who don’t consider ourselves “artists.” As the name of our art studio expresses, it’s all about The Artist Within. That’s why people love our Soulful Art monthly gathering. Join us as we play, pray and create together.
Join us Wednesday, January 22. NEW for 2025: Soulful Art will take place 10-12 and 1-3. You can come before or after lunch and stay for as long as you’re able.
This month, Mara Bim will guide us as we create 3D Collage, with stories and items of meaning.
. RSVP so we know you’re coming and we will provide you with a suggestion of items you can bring to make your collage more meaningful. Questions? Contact Karen here.
At RH, we know that inside each individual is an Artist Within. That’s one of the reasons we love this special gathering on 4th Wednesdays, where we have different facilitators introduce us to various forms of art-making in our Artist Within art studio. Beginning in 2025, we will offer this in the morning (10-12) and afternoon (1-3). Come for one or both sessions; don’t miss soup at 12:30. We suggest a $10 donation, which helps offset our supply cost. RSVP here so we have supplies for you and so that we can give you some suggested items you can bring from home to make your project even more meaningful..
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - this is a great opportunity to share time in community over homemade soup.
Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
Mystery BOX Wednesday
When a month has a fifth Wednesday, we know how to celebrate at Retreat House, after a warm bowl of delicious soup.
Join us Wednesday, January 29 after Souper Soul lunch - We will have Mystery Box Day in our art studio. We are excited to see mysteries unfold right before you - all that’s missing is your creative Self. Stop by any time from 1-3 and we’ll have supplies available for some fun and contemplative creating time.
At RH, we know that inside each individual is an Artist Within. That’s one of the reasons we love our special atherings in our Artist Within art studio. Beginning in 2025, we will offer Mystery Box Wednesday in months that have a 5th Wednesday. Join us for soup at 12:30 and then pop into the art studio with us for the afternoon. We suggest a $10 donation, which helps offset our supply cost.
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - this is a great opportunity to share time in community, have some homemade soup, and enjoy some special time together. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
Flute Meditation and Prayer (at Noon)
At noon on the first Wednesday of the month, Judy Annis brings flutes and an assortment of other beautiful instruments to Retreat House. Together we share special time in prayerful meditation, with poetry, other writings, and music that accompanies the contemplative themes of the day. After, we join together for Souper Soul lunch. No cost.
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - following noon-time Prayerful Meditation and Flute with Judy. This is a great opportunity to share time in community, have some homemade soup, and enjoy some special time together. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
Common Ground Interfaith Discussion and Lunch
Join us on 3rd Thursdays, 12:00-1:30 as we share in interfaith conversations, lunch and community discussion.
Pease let us know if you’re coming so we’ve got a place for you at the table. RSVP here
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - right after our beautiful noontime Harp Meditation by Patsy. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
Harp and Prayerful Meditation
Join us on the THIRD Wednesday of each month, as we welcome Patsy to lead us in harp meditation and prayer at noon.
Settle into a mid-week break as we come together on THIRD Wednesdays at Noon, for a delightful harp-meditation-prayer gathering at RH. We are happy to welcome back Patsy Sadowski, starting in September and going forward on 3rd Wednesdays. When we finish, stay a while and enjoy the delicious Souper Soul soup and conversation that happens every Wednesday.
InterSpiritual Meditation | A Monthly Gathering
Jackie Linden Schade, pastor, spiritual director and trained ISM facilitator joins Fran Shelton, author, pastor and spiritual director, bring InterSpiritual Meditation back to Retreat House this fall. We had a fabulous turnout in October and look forward to even more people joining us in November.
ISM brings ancient teachings to modern day, allowing individuals space for personal practice.
Open to all. There is no cost to participate, though we do suggest a donation which can be made when you attend; your generosity allows us to continue offering programs like these.
We will gather in person at Retreat House, 2nd Sunday of each month, 5-7 p.m.
Our next gathering is Sunday, December 7. Questions or RSVP here.
Writers' Gathering - (Online - Open to All)
Have you been wondering what it feels like to be a published author? Have you wondered how to tap into your own writing super powers? Do you have something you’ve written that you’d like to share in a special supportive and beautiful community of writers just like you? Join us for this month’s Writer’s Gathering. We are starting to prepare for our November 22 due date for submissions to House of Wonder, our next book. We’d love you to be part of it!
We all have a story to share. As writers of stories, we enjoy sharing our journeys, thoughts, ideas, struggles, and “aha"s. Writers often compose in solitude but get energy, inspiration, and insight when we meet in community with other writers. In this special gathering, we have the opportunity to discuss what we are writing, why we are writing, where our hopes and struggles are, and who we are when we write. No experience is necessary to join us. This Writers’ Gathering is for all writers in all genres - beginner, novice, experienced. It is not the intent of this gathering to offer criticism but a holy space of giving and receiving. Contact Gretchen Martens, our facilitator, for more information.
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - this is a great opportunity to share time in community, talk with RH board members, and enjoy some special time together. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
Flute Meditation and Prayer (at Noon)
Join us on Wed, January 8 at Noon, as Judy Annis brings flutes and an assortment of other beautiful instruments to Retreat House. Together we will share special time in prayerful meditation, with poetry, other writings, and music that accompanies the contemplative themes of the day. This week, our theme will be greeting the new year.
After, we join together for Souper Soul lunch. No cost.
Threshold into the New Year
Release 2024 and welcome 2025. Threshold into the New Year is designed for those creating a new vision board/rule of life and for those who are updating one.
Part one is spent in reflection of 2024 and beginning to discover words and images that have meaning to crossing the threshold into a new year. Part two is spent creating a visual and/or written desire for relationship with the Holy in 2025. You will work on your own project and be blessed with the community that surrounds you.
This is the seventh year for this workshop. The house is transformed into a creative studio with several rooms set aside for wondering and imagining. We provide all of the tools. You just need to show up.
If you have an existing vision board or rule of life from another year, you are welcome to bring it with you. You are welcome to bring any of your own supplies.
Instruction will be given by Lil Smith each day at 10:00 am. You may come as early as 9 am to get coffee, get settled into your creative station, and have some breathing room. Lil will be available during the day to help you reflect and imagine. On Monday at 2 pm, there will be a group sharing and blessing of the visions.
Cost $60 for two days
Supplies and lunch included each day
Limited to 20 participants; ages 17 and up
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - this is a great opportunity to share time in community, talk with RH board members, and enjoy some special time together. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
Harp and Prayerful Meditation
Join us on the THIRD Wednesday of each month, as we welcome Patsy to lead us in harp meditation and prayer at noon.
Settle into a mid-week break as we come together on THIRD Wednesdays at Noon, for a delightful harp-meditation-prayer gathering at RH. We are happy to welcome back Patsy Sadowski, starting in September and going forward on 3rd Wednesdays. When we finish, stay a while and enjoy the delicious Souper Soul soup and conversation that happens every Wednesday.
Open House Holiday Celebration & Release of House of Wonder book
It’s not too early to mark your calendar for our December 13 Book Launch Celebration and Holiday Open House. We will be releasing our newest book that afternoon, House of Wonder.
Submissions for this anthology are due by November 22.
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - this is a great opportunity to share time in community, talk with RH board members, and enjoy some special time together. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
InterSpiritual Meditation | A Monthly Gathering
Jackie Linden Schade, pastor, spiritual director and trained ISM facilitator joins Fran Shelton, author, pastor and spiritual director, bring InterSpiritual Meditation back to Retreat House this fall. We had a fabulous turnout in October and look forward to even more people joining us in November.
ISM brings ancient teachings to modern day, allowing individuals space for personal practice.
Open to all. There is no cost to participate, though we do suggest a donation which can be made when you attend; your generosity allows us to continue offering programs like these.
We will gather in person at Retreat House, 2nd Sunday of each month, 5-7 p.m.
Our next gathering is Sunday, December 7. Questions or RSVP here.
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - this is a great opportunity to share time in community, talk with RH board members, and enjoy some special time together. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
Flute Meditation and Prayer (at Noon)
At noon on the first Wednesday of the month, Judy Annis brings flutes and an assortment of other beautiful instruments to Retreat House. Together we share special time in prayerful meditation, with poetry, other writings, and music that accompanies the contemplative themes of the day. After, we join together for Souper Soul lunch. No cost.
Stillness Retreat: Navigating Darkness
December’s Stillness Retreat will delve into the theme of darkness from a different perspective than we have in the past. We will offer a variety of opportunities about different ways we navigate darkness in our lives - whether it’s seasonal darkness, or any other type of darkness we experience.
Participants will have time to explore individually as well as to share in community. Activities will include creative art projects, readings, writing prompts, time for personal stillness, refreshment, and more. At noon, we will experience the relaxing combination of musical instruments Judy Annis brings to Retreat House, along with prayerful meditation, followed by lunch and more time after lunch to reflect.
In her book, Wintering, Katherine May teaches that winter is a time of laying fallow, a period of time to turn inward and pause from the busyness of life. When life is moving along smoothly, we often miss the seasonal changes around us. However, in darker times, like “seasons of wintering,” we are acutely aware that something is amiss. How do we navigate our way from darkness back into light? What do we do in these darker times of life? We will have the opportunity to explore some of May’s concepts around wintering and how they might apply to whatever darkness we are experiencing.
DEADLINE: 11/22: Writing & Artwork for House of Wonder Now Being Accepted
Your writing and artwork for our December, 2024 book, House of Wonder, is now being accepted for submission to Gretchen Martens, our Editor Extraordinaire. If you’ve always wanted to be a published author and didn’t know what to do next, or if you’ve been included in our House of…” books in the past, or even if you’ve never imagined yourself as an author - but you have something to. share about WONDER, you’re in the right space.
All submissions are due no later than November 22 to be considered for this new book.Here is more information and you can always contact Gretchen here with any questions or for more information.
House of Wonder Accepting Submissions through Friday, November 22, 2024
Reveal and Holiday Celebration at Retreat House : Friday, December 13, 2024
Can you believe we are publishing our 19th book? Submissions may speak to one or more themes.
Essays are limited to 2700 words. Artwork is limited to high-resolution (600 dpi) grayscale photographs or photographs of original artwork. Full color photo submissions for cover art are welcome.
House and Home: What does it mean to feel at home? Is home a building, a place, a community? Is it a relationship with God or Self or the natural world? What is the relationship between house, home, and faith? In what ways are you grateful for this sense of house and home?
Wonder: What does wonder mean to you? Why does wonder matter? How does wonder manifest in your life—connection to your body, to Self, to others, to the natural world, to God?
Wonder and the Natural World: When do you experience wonder in the natural world? Is there a difference between the majesty of the Tetons and the daisy that has poked her up among the gravel on your driveway?
Wonder and God or Spirituality: What causes wonder in your spiritual life? Is wonder different from awe? Is wonder the same in group worship and private prayer?
Wonder and Family: Do you have a story about a child, spouse, parent, or other relative who inspired awe in you? Perhaps it was finding out you were pregnant, meeting your newborn, or watching a loved one draw their last breath.
Photos: We love family or personal photos that relate to your stories! We can do some basic retouching for old photos, and we’ll send you a copy. We can’t use photos from the internet because, as published books, we have to be careful with copyrighted works.
Author Fee of $100 defrays the publication cost and entitles authors and artists to up to 10 books; additional books may be pre-ordered at the author rate of $5 per book. After the initial print run, books are $10. Discount for first-time authors: $50 fee.
Scholarships are available on a first come-first served basis by contacting Lil Smith (lil@retreathousecommunity.org). Scholarships must be approved before you submit. Receiving a scholarship in the past does not guarantee receiving a scholarship for this book. Donations to the scholarship fund or full author sponsorships are gratefully accepted.
Ready to submit? Questions on submitting? Nervous as a first-time author? Want to be taken off the list? Contact Gretchen Martens, our friendly editor, at GretchenMartens@gmail.com.
Common Ground Interfaith Discussion: Navigating Darkness
Whether it’s the seasonal change to shorter days, or grief of any kind, we know that our faith traditions often provide a source of comfort and guidance through dark times in our lives.
You’re invited to bring your favorite poems, scripture, or any other writings and objects that help you navigate darkness in your life. Whether it’s favorite Psalms, a belief that Divine light will vanquish darkness, or the Qur'anic revelation itself as a source of Divine light that guides humanity from darkness to light (e.g., Surah Ibrahim 14:1) - these are some of the examples we will discuss at our lunch conversation. RSVP here
Soulful Art: Creative Expressions with Nature's Palette
NOTE: For November, Soulful Art will be on the 3rd Wednesday, due to Thanksgiving the following week.
Join us after lunch on November 20, as we share time with nature, allowing our soulful expressions to be released with nature as our palette. Karen Hoffman will guide us through the process of using nature to help us access and create in The Artist Within. Let us know you’re coming here. Suggested Donation $10
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - this is a great opportunity to share time in community, talk with RH board members, and enjoy some special time together. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
Harp and Prayerful Meditation
Join us on the THIRD Wednesday of each month, as we welcome Patsy to lead us in harp meditation and prayer at noon.
Settle into a mid-week break as we come together on THIRD Wednesdays at Noon, for a delightful harp-meditation-prayer gathering at RH. We are happy to welcome back Patsy Sadowski, starting in September and going forward on 3rd Wednesdays. When we finish, stay a while and enjoy the delicious Souper Soul soup and conversation that happens every Wednesday.
Souper Soul Wednesday - Join Board Members for Lunch
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - this is a great opportunity to share time in community, talk with RH board members, and enjoy some special time together. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
InterSpiritual Meditation | A Monthly Gathering
Jackie Linden Schade, pastor, spiritual director and trained ISM facilitator joins Fran Shelton, author, pastor and spiritual director, bring InterSpiritual Meditation back to Retreat House this fall. We had a fabulous turnout in October and look forward to even more people joining us in November.
ISM brings ancient teachings to modern day, allowing individuals space for personal practice.
Open to all. There is no cost to participate, though we do suggest a donation which can be made when you attend; your generosity allows us to continue offering programs like these.
We will gather in person at Retreat House, 2nd Sunday of each month, 5-7 p.m.
Our next gathering is Sunday, November 10. Questions or RSVP here.
Writers' Gathering - (Online - Open to All)
Have you been wondering what it feels like to be a published author? Have you wondered how to tap into your own writing super powers? Do you have something you’ve written that you’d like to share in a special supportive and beautiful community of writers just like you? Join us for this month’s Writer’s Gathering. We are starting to prepare for our November 22 due date for submissions to House of Wonder, our next book. We’d love you to be part of it!
We all have a story to share. As writers of stories, we enjoy sharing our journeys, thoughts, ideas, struggles, and “aha"s. Writers often compose in solitude but get energy, inspiration, and insight when we meet in community with other writers. In this special gathering, we have the opportunity to discuss what we are writing, why we are writing, where our hopes and struggles are, and who we are when we write. No experience is necessary to join us. This Writers’ Gathering is for all writers in all genres - beginner, novice, experienced. It is not the intent of this gathering to offer criticism but a holy space of giving and receiving. Contact Gretchen Martens, our facilitator, for more information.
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - this is a great opportunity to share time in community, talk with RH board members, and enjoy some special time together. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
Flute Meditation and Prayer (at Noon)
At noon on the first Wednesday of the month, Judy Annis brings flutes and an assortment of other beautiful instruments to Retreat House. Together we share special time in prayerful meditation, with poetry, other writings, and music that accompanies the contemplative themes of the day. After, we join together for Souper Soul lunch. No cost.
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - this is a great opportunity to share time in community, talk with RH board members, and enjoy some special time together. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
Soulful Art with Sandy Centeno
We love expressing ourselves through artistic creativity - even those of us who don’t consider ourselves “artists.” As the name of our art studio expresses, it’s all about The Artist Within. That’s why people love our Soulful Art monthly gathering. Join us as we play, pray and create together.
Join us Wednesday, October 23, right after Souper Soul lunch. We will make art together with guided facilitation, from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
This month, we will be guided by our RH Intern, Sandy Centeno, as she teaches us the art of creating festive flowers out of crepe and tissue paper. Imagine the beauty of your own upcoming holiday seasons - being adorned with handmade flowers. As we create together, we will take time to contemplate how this practice of creation can be linked to honoring our ancestors. We will be contributing a group-created garland to the beautiful Dia de las Muertas display at Retreat House. Stop by to see this beautiful display. And if you can be with us to create together, join us Wednesday after lunch. We suggest a $10 donation, which helps offset our supply cost. RSVP here.
Souper Soul Wednesday
Join us Wednesday for soup at 12:30 - this is a great opportunity to share time in community, talk with RH board members, and enjoy some special time together. Open to all.
Join us on Wednesdays at 12:30 for soup and friendly conversations. There is no charge for this weekly gathering. If you would like to volunteer to make soup for an upcoming week, please contact Morgan here. Donations can be made in person to help defray the cost of ingredients.
Common Ground: Interfaith Conversations and Lunch
This month’s theme is focused on how different faiths and cultures observe and celebrate the new year.
We are excited to welcome Anisa Adem, who will be preparing a traditional Ethiopian lunch for all of us.
Join us at Noon on Thursday Oct. 17, for our monthly interfaith conversation and lunch.. Complimentary lunch will be served - an Ethiopian lunch that is gluten free and vegan. Bring your open hearts, inquisitive minds and your own New Year Celebration stories to share.
Questions? Want to RSVP? Click here.