53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
October 3 - 5, 2025
About this Retreat
Kendall Vanderslice is a baker, writer, and the founder of the Edible Theology Project. A graduate of Duke Divinity School (Master of Theological Studies), Boston University (MLA Gastronomy), and Wheaton College (BA Anthropology), she has committed her life to the study of food and community formation. Kendall is a professionally trained baker, having learned from several top American pastry chefs. In 2018, she was named a James Beard Foundation national scholar for her work bridging food and religion. She is the author of We Will Feast: Rethinking Dinner, Worship, and the Community of God and By Bread Alone: A Baker’s Reflections on Hunger, Longing, and the Goodness of God.
Details of this retreat
Ever wondered what's in it for you when you knead dough?
Discover the unexpected spiritual nourishment hidden in the art of bread-making at the Bake and Pray retreat with Kendall Vanderslice. This transformative weekend blends the science of baking with the depth of theological reflection, offering a unique opportunity to connect with God through the timeless practice of bread-making. Participants will learn practical baking skills while exploring the rich symbolism of bread in Christian tradition. From novice bakers to seasoned enthusiasts, all will gain insights into incorporating this sacred craft into their daily lives. Under the guidance of bestselling author Kendall Vanderslice, you'll not only create delicious loaves but also cultivate a deeper understanding of faith, community, and the divine presence in the ordinary
Kendall is the bestselling author of By Bread Alone: A Baker's Reflection on Hunger, Longing, and the Goodness of God and Bake & Pray: Liturgies and Recipes for Baking Bread as a Spiritual Practice
Friday Evening: Check-in Between 2:00 and 4:00
Welcome
Supper begins at 6:00
The first evening is predominantly focused on introductions, on eating together, and getting to know one another. I will offer a short lecture, an overview of our time together and an introduction to why bread matters in Christian tradition and how it shapes community.
Saturday 8:00-8:45 Continental Breakfast; 9:00-9:30 Chapel
9:30-11:00 Session I Caritas Room and Large Dining Room
During this session, participants will learn how bread baking and spiritual formation can inform one another. They will also learn the basics of bread baking and mix up a batch of dough. The session will end with a Scriptural reflection on the ways God uses bread throughout the narrative of Scripture to tell a story about God’s work in the world—this reflection is preparation for a time of silent rest.
11:00-11:30 Silent Rest
The development of flavor and texture in bread takes part primarily while the dough is at rest. It’s a humbling reminder that we are not always active agents in our own growth or in the growth of our dough. For this reason, we slow down and rest along with our dough, reflecting on what we’ve just learned.
11:30-12:00 Session II Large Dining Room
During this session, participants will observe the transformation of their dough in just a short period of time. They will stretch and fold their dough, preparing it for its bulk fermentation. During this session, we will also reflect on the role of tension of baking bread. Tension is an inevitable part of leadership. Bread teaches us, though, that tension is not something to be afraid of but to be handled with care. When tension is managed responsibly, it builds strength—the strength needed to support a loaf of bread or the strength to support a community in the face of conflict. Tension must always be understood in relationship to rest.
12:00-4:00 Lunch in Small Dining Room12-12:45; Bulk Fermentation 1:00-4:00
Participants can use this time to read, to hike, to nap, to talk to one another. The group rests along with their dough, paying attention to the ways that God transforms us when our minds, hands, and hearts are at rest.
4:00-5:00 Session III Large Dining Room
During this session, participants will learn how to shape their dough. We will also talk about the different theological arguments that have been had over the proper ingredients to be used in the bread served at Communion. This reflection serves as an introduction to the ways our foods tell stories about who we are and where we come from—and likewise, how our knowledge of God is shaped by the spaces that have raised us. We will reflect on the ability for food to help us narrate complex stories and hold together complex truths. This becomes the foundation for the storytelling process Edible Theology uses.
5:00-6:30 Dinner Preparation Large and Small Dining Rooms
The bread requires a 30 minute rest, and 40 minute bake, and another 20 minute rest before it is ready to eat. While the bread rests and bakes, the group will be split into tasks to prepare dinner together. Some will chop vegetables for a salad, some will clean up from the breadmaking, and some will set the table and prepare the space. Our goal is to set a large communal table where everyone can hear one another. This communal preparation is an important method of building trust and often helps people begin sharing stories they might not otherwise have shared.
6:30-8:30+ Dinner and Storytelling Small Dining Room
As we eat the bread, salad, and soup we’ve prepared together, we will shift into a time of storytelling. We will use two storytelling prompts for dinner: Tell a story about a deeply meaningful meal and tell a story about the most awkward meal you’ve ever eaten. Oftentimes, these stories stretch into topics much deeper than just the story at hand. They hit on topics of family, of home, of race, class, and place. After a full day reflection on food and building trust, the group is prepared to tell stories they might not have shared earlier in the day.
Sunday Morning (Palm Sunday): Continental Breakfast in Small Dining Room 8:00-8:30
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