Opening to the Presence of God: Exploring Spiritual Practices

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• Experience prayer and contemplative practices that help you recognize God’s presence in ordinary life.

• Best for: congregations new to retreats, adult education groups, mixed levels of spiritual background

• Typical timing: any season; introductory retreat days

• Participants typically leave with: a simple, repeatable prayer practice they can continue at home.

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Letting Go: Release and Renewal

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• A quiet day of reflection and guided practice helping participants release burdens and rediscover inner freedom.

• Best for: congregations in transition, pastoral changes, or individuals under stress

• Often scheduled during: Lent or the New Year

• Participants typically leave with: relief from persistent worries or expectations and a clearer sense of what truly needs their attention.

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Body, Mind, and Spirit: Caring for Our Whole Selves

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• Grounding practices connecting emotional awareness, physical presence, and prayerful attention.​

• Best for: caregivers, ministry leaders, and high-stress communities

• Works well for: wellness or healing-focused retreats

• Participants typically leave with: practical ways to calm reactivity and reconnect physical awareness with spiritual life.

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Contemplative Living Retreat

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• Practices of silence and attention for everyday relationships and decision-making.

• Best for: church leaders, vestry/board retreats, spiritually mature groups

• Often used for: leadership or planning retreats

• Participants typically leave with: tools for making decisions and responding to relationships with greater patience and clarity.

 

Where I have led retreats: 

• First Congregational Church of Palo Alto

• Pacific Center for Spiritual Formation

• First Christian Church Concord

• Skyland Community Church (Los Gatos)

• Interfaith Counseling Center