Weekend Centering Prayer Retreat - Program
Weekend Centering Prayer Retreat - Program
770 St Marys Ln, Sewanee, TN 37375, USA
Up to 36 in group
Apr 23 - 25, 2027
Retreat Highlights
- - daily centering prayer sessions
- - centering prayer instruction
- - periods of silence
- - outdoor time: labyrinth, meditation garden, hammock swings, hiking trail, New Hope Bluff
- - nutritious meals
- - Meditation in Motion (gentle movement)
About this Retreat
Your Guides
The Rt. Rev. Brian Lee Cole was ordained and consecrated fifth bishop of the Diocese of East Tennessee on December 2, 2017. He was elected bishop onJuly 28, 2017, during the electing portion of the 33rd Annual Convention of the diocese.
Bishop Cole has under his pastoral and administrative care 47 parishes and worshiping communities in East Tennessee and North Georgia. The bishop visits each of these parishes and worshiping communities, where he preaches, confirms and receives persons into the Episcopal Church, and celebrates the Eucharist.
As bishop, he ordains priests and deacons and joins in the ordination of other bishops. In these rites, through the laying on of hands, the continuity with the early church of the apostles is demonstrated.
Bishop Cole presides over the annual diocesan convention and has administrative responsibility over diocesan activities.
A southeast Missouri native, Bishop Cole graduated from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1989. In 1992, he earned a Master of Divinity at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with additional studies in Anglican Church History at The University of the South School of Theology, Sewanee, in 2001.
In 1998 he married Susan Weatherford, a poet, musician, avid gardener, and graduate of Berea College and University of Kentucky. They have one son, Jess.
Details of this retreat
Check in begins at 3pm central, dinner on the first night. Program concludes by 11am on the last day after lunch.
This retreat will be lead by seasoned and trained centering prayer facilitators. Participants will have the opportunity to join multiple centering prayer sits throughout the day, Meditation in Motion gentle stretching yoga-type sessions, as well as enjoy the breathtaking bluff views of St. Mary’s Sewanee often covered in winter beauty.
The highly rated kitchen staff will offer well balanced, delicious and nourishing meals throughout the retreat beginning with dinner on the first night and ending with breakfast on the last day. The St. Mary’s Sewanee and the Centering Prayer Staff will be here to support guests in this week long dedication to “God’s first language”. You don’t have to worry about bringing anything except your weary soul to Rest, Renew and Reconnect.
St. Mary's Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development offers sacred space for spiritual seekers on Tennessee's South Cumberland Plateau. Through a generous grant, we are blessed to offer this retreat at a reduced cost, making this time of contemplation and community more accessible to all who feel called to join us.
This retreat will be lead by seasoned and trained centering prayer facilitators. Participants will have the opportunity to join multiple centering prayer sits throughout the day, Meditation in Motion gentle stretching yoga-type sessions, as well as enjoy the breathtaking bluff views of St. Mary’s Sewanee often covered in winter beauty.
The highly rated kitchen staff will offer well balanced, delicious and nourishing meals throughout the retreat beginning with dinner on the first night and ending with breakfast on the last day. The St. Mary’s Sewanee and the Centering Prayer Staff will be here to support guests in this week long dedication to “God’s first language”. You don’t have to worry about bringing anything except your weary soul to Rest, Renew and Reconnect.
St. Mary's Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development offers sacred space for spiritual seekers on Tennessee's South Cumberland Plateau. Through a generous grant, we are blessed to offer this retreat at a reduced cost, making this time of contemplation and community more accessible to all who feel called to join us.
Schedule
- 8am breakfast
- 9am to 12pm program instruction and centering prayer sessions
- 12pm lunch
- afternoon options: Meditation in Motion, hiking, labyrinth, rest
- 3pm-5pm program instruction and centering prayer sessions
- 6pm dinner
- 7pm centering prayer
- 8pm rest time
- 9am to 12pm program instruction and centering prayer sessions
- 12pm lunch
- afternoon options: Meditation in Motion, hiking, labyrinth, rest
- 3pm-5pm program instruction and centering prayer sessions
- 6pm dinner
- 7pm centering prayer
- 8pm rest time
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
St. Mary's Sewanee, 770 St Marys Ln, Sewanee, TN 37375, USA
Directions
*From Nashville or Chattanooga, take I-24 to Exit 134 toward Sewanee/Monteagle.
*At the top of the ramp, turn left onto Highway 41A toward Sewanee/University of the South.
*Continue on Highway 41A for 5.5 miles.
*Turn left onto Highway 56/Sherwood Road for .6 miles.
*Turn right onto St. Mary’s Lane for 0.7 miles.
*Follow the signs marked “Guest Registration”.
*At the top of the ramp, turn left onto Highway 41A toward Sewanee/University of the South.
*Continue on Highway 41A for 5.5 miles.
*Turn left onto Highway 56/Sherwood Road for .6 miles.
*Turn right onto St. Mary’s Lane for 0.7 miles.
*Follow the signs marked “Guest Registration”.
Accommodation
Anna House Motel Style Room
2 twin beds in each room, private bathroom, sitting area, air conditioning and heat. Please, indicate if a first floor room is requested. There are no elevators to second floor rooms.
SMH - Temperature Controlled Rooms
bluff view rooms, shared bathrooms separated by gender use, temperature controlled by split AC/Heat units
Merton Hermitage - corner apartment
Corner apartment located in St. Mary's Hall, private bedroom and bathroom, 1 king bed and 1 twin bed, dining area, kitchen, living room, cooling unit in the summer, heated in the winterPlease, indicate if a first floor room is requested. There are no elevators to second floor rooms.
St. Mary's Hall Dorm Style Room - Double Bed
Private room, 1 double bed, shared bathrooms separated by gender use, cooled with box fans in summer, heated in winterPlease, indicate if a first floor room is requested. There are no elevators to second floor rooms.
St. Mary's Hall Dorm Style King Room
Private room, 1 king bed, shared bathrooms separated by gender use, cooled with box fans in summer, heated in winterLocated on first floor
St. Mary's Hall Dorm Style Room
Private room, 2 twin beds in each room, shared bathrooms separated by gender use, cooled with box fans in summer, heated in winterPlease, indicate if a first floor room is requested. There are no elevators to second floor rooms.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
St. Mary’s Sewanee is dedicated to providing spiritual hospitality to persons of diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds in a place of natural beauty, simplicity, silence, tranquility, and warm spiritual rest through retreats, renewal, and learning.
What's Included
- - meals and lodging
- - program fees and materials
- - linens, blankets, towels
What's Not Included
- transportation
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