October 2023
Hope in the Land of Loss
We have learned that loss weaves its way through our lives in many forms, in our personal story and in our shared lives. Some losses are acknowledged, many are not. Grief, our companion and ally, guides both our personal and collective journeys in the Land of Loss, and leads us toward healing and hope. This overnight retreat will create sacred space and nourish tender pathways toward healing and hope. The host for this retreat, Genesis Retreat House, is sponsored by the Sisters of Providence and is located in Westfield MA, As stated on their website, "Each of us is a seed of God that is meant to grow into the likeness of God. Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center is a place where the seed can be nourished towards full maturity."
Find out more »Healing Loss – through Conscious Grieving and Writing
How do we heal from loss? We grieve. Our bodies, minds and hearts are created to process loss of all kinds through a sacred journey of grieving. A significant resource on that journey is writing….putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) opens our heart in new ways and supports our desire to heal. This 1 night overnight retreat will offer a safe space for reflection, writing, sharing and stillness. Together, we will give voice to loss and allow time for grief, together we take brave steps toward hope and healing. No writing experience is necessary. For more information and to register, Click Here.
Find out more »Hope in the Land of Loss – Covenant Community Members
Our human experience includes many forms of loss: quite personal and communal response to death, non-death losses in any lifetime, change in identity, wider scale loss through Earth's climate change and national discord. Loss is a constant in our lives, grief, it turns out, is our ally in the Land of Loss. Grief guides and enables us to navigate the pathways, and leads us into healing and hope. This two hour session will include specific bereavement theory, prayerful presence and insight and a gentle reminder of self-compassion during such important travels.
Find out more »November 2023
6-Night Silent Directed Retreat
A Silent Directed Retreat is designed to provide time and space for prayer and solitude, deepen discernment, and listen to the whispered song of spirit. You may wish to review the events and relationships in your life and reflect on how they relate to your connection with God. You will meet with your spiritual director once a day and they may make suggestions for further reflection (prayer, Scripture, poetry, imagery, etc.) based on the questionnaire you will submit before the start of the retreat. A retreat at Genesis, with its peaceful, contemplative spaces and 19-acre Providence Arboretum, will open your heart to do the profoundly personal work of living and breathing into your spiritual journey and feeling the presence and action of God in your life. This is a silent retreat. Check-in begins at 3:00PM and supper will be served at 6:00pm. The retreat will begin after supper. Silence will begin at that time also.
Find out more »October 2024
Tending to One’s Grieving Heart – listening for healing words
How do we heal from loss? We grieve. Our bodies, minds and hearts are created to process loss of all kinds through a sacred journey of grieving. A significant resource on that journey is writing….putting pen to paper opens our heart in new ways and supports our desire to heal. This 2 night retreat will offer a safe space for reflection, writing, sharing and stillness. Together, we give voice to loss and time for grief, together we take brave steps toward hope and healing. No writing experience is necessary.
Find out more »November 2024
“Hope in the Land of Loss – Trust Your Grieving Heart”
Losses weave their way throughout our lives and influence the next path we take. Grief is our built-in response to loss, our ally in traveling the confusing, painful and transformative Land of Loss. This 90 minute program gently supports those with recent loss, offers a lens for long-ago losses, and honors the many ways we experience non-death loss. Current bereavement teaching and spiritual wisdom will affirm that grief is, indeed, a sacred journey. Light desserts will follow the program, Lisa's books will be for sale.
Find out more »Post Election Retreat: A Gathering of Healing, Hope and Unity
This election season has been like no other. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, the atmosphere of discord and divisiveness has burned out many of us. And yet, Hope and Joy still emerge – they simply cannot be contained! Join members of the Spiritual Life Center and Hartford International University communities on November 9 for a Post Election Retreat that will offer a series of stand-alone sessions to help refresh your spirit with affirming, healing, nurturing energy. Drop in for the day, or a half-day to enter the spaces of hope.
Find out more »March 2025
Tending to One’s Grieving Heart – listening for healing words
How do we heal from loss? We grieve. Our bodies, minds and hearts are created to process loss of all kinds through a sacred journey of grieving. A significant resource on that journey is writing….putting pen to paper opens our heart in new ways and supports our desire to heal. This 2 night retreat will offer a safe space for reflection, writing, sharing and stillness. Together, we give voice to loss and time for grief, together we take brave steps toward hope and healing. No writing experience is necessary.
Find out more »Tending to a Grieving Heart
You are invited to come apart, share time and sacred space with others who are grieving, and learn a little more about the Land of Loss. You know this place, however you got here - through sudden death, long ago loss, confused heart through non-death loss. All and more invite us into a place of healing and the kindling of hope. It is our attending to grief that allows new life to take root. The day will include presentation, sharing, prayer and quiet time - all within the care of the Holy who joins us in every moment.
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