SPICE: Spiritual Program for Individual and Couple Empowerment at Spirit in the Desert

A one-of-a-kind research-based, spiritual empowerment program that utilizes mindfulness, neuroscience, storytelling, and experiential exercises to infuse more calm, health, and joy in your relationships and in the world.

The Spiritual Program for Individual and Couple Empowerment (SPICE) Retreat is for individuals and couples seeking more meaning and purpose in their lives and relationships. Whether you’re floundering, fine, or fabulous, SPICE aims to bring you to the next level. Register and view full info on our calendar listing.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 15, 2022Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment

Daily devotions during Advent available from Spirit in the Desert

Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center offers an Advent-specific daily devotion via email beginning Sunday, November 27, 2022, and ending on Christmas Day. If you would like to receive a special devotional reflection by Pastor Steve Holm in your inbox each day during Advent, register here.

Tidings of Comfort & Joy: A virtual Advent of Making program from Spirit in the Desert

Join facilitator Sheri Brown this Advent to explore what faith is making of you this Advent season … and to practice making a few gifts for the world in response. Our Advent of Making will be a season of making peace, making hope, making comfort, and making joy.

Join the Spirit community for a scant hour on Sundays at 4pm MST, 5pm PST. Weekly themes and program details here. The four programs are free of charge, but donations are welcome.

Leading Well Learning Retreat at Spirit in the Desert

Leading Well is a retreat for church leaders. Join us for a four-day training experience for pastors and church leaders that offers practical learning, Sabbath rest, and support. Tuesday, 11/15/2022 – Friday, 11/18/2022, at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. Register for Leading Well here.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOctober 31, 2022Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment

2022 Grand Canyon Synod Retirees Retreat

We hope you will be able to attend the Eighteenth Annual Grand Canyon Synod Retirees Retreat to be held on October 31 - November 2, 2022 at Spirit in the Desert Retreat and Conference Center in Carefree, Arizona.

Please view and download this flyer for all the important details and registration information.

Spirited Book Club: Almost Everything

The Spirited Book Club discusses New York Times bestselling author Anne Lamott’s Almost Everything: Notes on Hope. The online club is FREE, register here for the Thursday, 11/3/2022 event from 2-3pm MST/PDT, 3-4pm MDT.

From Anne Lamott, the New York Times-bestselling author of Dusk, Night, Dawn and Help, Thanks, Wow, comes the book we need from her now: How to bring hope back into our lives.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOctober 20, 2022Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Spirited Book ClubComment

Cultivating Climate Justice: Tools, Hope, Theology and Spirit

Join facilitator Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, founding director for the Center for Climate Justice and Faith at PLTS, for a three-day retreat at Spirit in the Desert, Friday, 3/10/2023 through Sunday, 3/12/2023.

Explore the economic, cultural, political, and ecological contours of the systemic crisis we face, and grow in the knowledge, skills, spiritual strength, and community that are so vital to forging the paths toward climate justice. Register here and learn more on our calendar listing.

Prayer: A Practice of Re-Membering Retreat at Spirit in the Desert

Learn new ways of being RE-membered to the Divine Mystery and hone your own prayer practice at this special prayer retreat led by Spirit’s faith mentor, Jim Hanson, and friends. Register for Prayer Retreat here. View full info on our calendar listing.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOctober 4, 2022Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment

Spirited Book Club: Baptized in Tear Gas

The Spirited Book Club welcomes author Elle Dowd to discuss her memoir, Baptized in Tear Gas. The online club is free, register here.

In Baptized in Tear Gas, pastor and activist Elle Dowd tells the gripping story of her transformation into an Assata Shakur-reading, courthouse-occupying abolitionist with an arrest record, hungry for the revolution.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 15, 2022Spirited Book Club, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Racial JusticeComment

Scholarships available for Retreat for Women of the Grand Canyon Synod

Save the date—October 21 & 22, 2022— for a retreat at Spirit in the Desert organized by Grand Canyon Synod Women of the ELCA. View PDF flier. Click here to register online. Or click here to download and print the paper registration form.

Scholarship opportunities available. The deadline to receive applications is 9/23/2022. View a fillable application form here.

Featured speakers include: Rev. Dr. Meghan Aelabouni, who will lead a Bible study via Zoom from Jerusalem, Rev. Rebecca Boardman, University of Arizona Campus Ministries; and Carolyn Tonneson, with Peter’s Hope/Bamburi Women’s Empowerment Center (Mombasa, Kenya, Africa).

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 7, 2022Grand Canyon Women, Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment

WELCA Retreat: Empowering Women…Stories That Change Lives

Save the date—October 21 & 22, 2022— for a retreat at Spirit in the Desert organized by Grand Canyon Synod Women of the ELCA. View PDF flier. Click here to register online. Or click here to download and print the paper registration form.

Scholarship opportunities available. The deadline to receive applications is 9/23/2022. View a fillable application form here.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardJuly 27, 2022GCS WELCA, Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment

Spirited Book Club: This Here Flesh

The Spirited Book Club discusses This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories That Make Us, the stunning NYT bestseller by Cole Arthur Riley. The online club is FREE, register here. 8/11/2022, read the first half or more, 8/25/2022, read the last half.

In her stunning debut, the creator of Black Liturgies weaves stories from three generations of her family alongside contemplative reflections to discover the “necessary rituals” that connect us with our belonging, dignity, and liberation.

Spirited Book Club: Sealed, by Pastor Katie Langston

Pastor Katie Langston joins the Spirited Book Club to discuss her remarkable debut memoir, Sealed: An Unexpected Journey into the Heart of Grace. The online club is FREE, register here. Thursday, July 14 and Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 2:00 – 3:00pm AZ (PDT).

Born and raised a devout Mormon in Utah, Rev. Katie Langston chronicles her unexpected conversion to orthodox Christianity with candor and theological depth. Her remarkable debut memoir explores themes of religious fundamentalism, mental illness, and family belonging—culminating in her surprising and liberating encounters with the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

WELCA Retreat: Empowering Women…Stories That Change Lives

Save the date—October 21 & 22, 2022— for a retreat at Spirit in the Desert organized by Grand Canyon Synod Women of the ELCA. View PDF flier.

Featured speakers include: Rev. Dr. Meghan Aelabouni, who will lead a Bible study via Zoom from Jerusalem, Rev. Rebecca Boardman, University of Arizona Campus Ministries; and Carolyn Tonneson, with Peter’s Hope/Bamburi Women’s Empowerment Center (Mombasa, Kenya, Africa).

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardApril 22, 2022Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, GCS WELCAComment

Your Story, Your Legacy: A Desert Sojourn Retreat at Spirit in the Desert

This full-day retreat will engage you in a thoughtful and inspiring look at the stories of how you came to be the person you are and the qualities of your life that can be a true legacy to future generations. Hosted at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. Saturday, September 10, 2022, 9am–4pm MST.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardApril 18, 2022Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment

Spirited Book Club: Bewilderment

Spirited Book Club discusses Bewilderment, a heartrending novel from the Pulitzer Prize-winning and #1 New York Times best-selling author, Richard Powers. The online club is FREE, register here. Thursday, March 10, 2022, 2-3pm MST, 1-2pm PST.

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardFebruary 18, 2022Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment

The Gift of Years: A Desert Sojourn Retreat

The Gift of Years retreat helps you transform your story of aging with mastery and purpose and learn to live abundantly in your remaining years. February 28–March 2, 2022 at Spirit in the Desert. Learn more and register here.

“Our spiritual obligation is to age well, so that others who meet us have the courage and spiritual depth to do the same.” –Joan Chittister

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardFebruary 17, 2022Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment

Your Story, Your Legacy: A Desert Sojourn Retreat at Spirit in the Desert

This full-day retreat will engage you in a thoughtful and inspiring look at the stories of how you came to be the person you are and the qualities of your life that can be a true legacy to future generations. Hosted at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, click any of three dates for more info and to register:

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJanuary 21, 2022Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment

Spirited Book Club ~ Amending the Christian Story by Ron Rude

Author Ron Rude joins Spirited Book Club to discuss his book, Amending the Christian Story: The Natural Sciences as a Window into Grounded Faith and Sustainable Living. This online gathering is hosted by Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. Click either of two dates to register:

News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardJanuary 20, 2022Spirit in the Desert Retreat CenterComment

Symbols of Presence: Virtual Weekly Advent Program

Symbols of Presence: A virtual weekly program from Spirit in the Desert during the season of Advent that helps participants prepare to receive the Best. Gift. Ever. The program is FREE, register on our calendar pages.

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