Restoring Sacred Conversation with Earth

Location icon
53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
Date
October 31 - November 2, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

The wisdom and guidance we need for this time of tragic ecological and political collapse will not be found in the dominant ways of thinking. Over fifty years ago, Thomas Berry urged us to turn and face these challenges by pointing to the root cause of the problem, "We are talking only to ourselves. We are not talking to the rivers, we are not listening to the wind and stars. We have broken the great conversation."
This retreat is an experiential and theological immersion into the practice of wild spirituality, which at the core is concerned with restoring sacred conversation with the natural world.  Beyond stewardship and caring for creation, there lies an invitation -- a call of the holy wild heard by every spiritual leader in both Testaments of our sacred stories:  a call to encounter God directly in the wilderness.  The call beckons each of us with urgency at this time. For those who already identify themselves as mystics who experience the numinous most in Nature and those who are curious about adding eco-spiritual practices to their contemplative lives.
Mornings begin with orientation to the day's eco-centric practices and an invitation to curiosity about how your inner landscape might be allured into conversation with the acres of Genesis outer landscape.  The bulk of each day will be spent in sacred saunter, listening for the voice of the Holy through whispers of the wind, language of leaves and syntax of spiders.  At the end of each day, we will gather to deepen the sacred conversation with one another as we share our experiences.  These are practices to live into the deepest definition of the Kingdom of God, without the G: a Kin-dom of reverent, reciprocal, and loving relationships.

Getting Here

Location icon Genesis Spiritual Center, 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA

Accommodation

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Customer Reviews

4.95 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Lenten Supper Series
The Lenten Supper series is a meaningful and affordable way to unplug from the busyness and stressors of life for a few hours of intentional time to recenter and refresh during the season of Lent.

5.0
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Restore and Renew: new year yoga retreat
The retreat facilitator, is well versed in the subject and demonstrates excellent ability to guide participants through various yoga positions and types of yoga practices. The facility is great with a responsive and enthusiastic staff. Highly recommend!

5.0
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just what I needed and didn't know I needed.
This was definitely a unique experience. I knew Nancy Sheridan would be good but I didn't realize its deep impact on my soul. Thank you, not only to Nancy, but to all who made this weekend possible. The Genesis staff was outstanding.

5.0
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Lucy Abbott Tucker
My days at Genesis were days of going home for a reunion with friends and colleagues, embracing the learned wisdom of an excellent teacher, Lucy Abbott Tucker and resting in community in front of a blazing fire in the fireplace. My spirit was nourished and I was at peace.
Thank you Genesis
Chickie Amberg

5.0
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Wonderful experience
This was my first attendance at Genesis . The Experience Was so wonderful. I left feeling closer to God and I left with a great sense of community. The conference. I attended was wonderful. Lucy Abbott Tucker was so amazing. A must attend in your lifetime. It was more than I ever expected.
The facility itself is just beautiful. It’s like a time capsule. The carriage house meditation room upstairs was beautiful with a craft room and a space where You could sit and find peace and silence if you chose.
The staff was amazing. When you first arrive, they orient you to the environment and the different spaces in the house where you could go and find peace. Jean Risk, the massage therapist is magical. She was an amazing Masseuse. You can call and make an appointment and she will meet you there.
The food was absolutely delicious. Made with love and fresh ingredients every day. three delicious meals and snacks. Amazing.
This is a must try for rest, relaxation, renewal or any conference. I cannot say enough positivity about Genesis Spiritual center.

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