53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA 01085
April 3 - 6, 2025
About this Retreat
Anne A. Simpkinson is an award-winning journalist, editor, and story midwife. She and her husband Chuck founded Common Boundary, a nonprofit organization exploring psychotherapy, spirituality, and creativity. They authored Soul Work: A Field Guide for Spiritual Seekers and edited two anthologies. While living in New York City, Anne rode the wave of media transformation from websites to digital communications in her positions with Beliefnet.com, Prevention magazine, WeightWatchers.com, and Guideposts. She also served as Communications Director for Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center for several years. Anne has been practicing Centering Prayer (CP) since 1996. She trained as an Introductory CP Workshop facilitator, served as co-coordinator of Contemplative Outreach in New York City. She currently facilitates Centering Prayer Circles and contemplative prayer and writing retreats in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
(Writing Retreats)
Details of this retreat
Imagine a world where your untold stories hold the key to unlocking the deepest truths of your existence. Embark on a transformative journey, where the gentle flow of words becomes a powerful current, carrying you towards self-discovery and profound connection.
“Stories have to be told or they die,
and when they die, we can’t remember
who we are or why we’re here.
- Sue Monk Kidd
Life is like a river, generally flowing strong and constant but, at times, hindered by obstacles, churned by storms, and diminished by drought. As we flow through our lives, we gather stories of experiences that need telling. How do we share these stories, for writing demands attentiveness, honesty, courage, imagination, and a willingness to be surprised by grace? Being supported by kindred spirits and communal prayer and conversation can help. To that end, the retreat will be structured to include periods of Centering Prayer, brief talks, writing prompts, and story sharing. There will also be personal time for reading, walking the grounds, resting, or daydreaming. Come to work on a current writing project, begin stories long thought about, or find what needs to be voiced.