5.0
Verified
Come to the Table
Great facility space, great food, spectacular grounds to walk for reflection, great retreat format with large group and small group discussions!
Exploring Presence: Tending the Presence We Offer – And the Presence We Are
Top Rated
Exploring Presence: Tending the Presence We Offer – And the Presence We Are
4.9157 reviews
53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
April 24 - 26, 2026
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Lucy Abbott Tucker has worked in adult formation and the preparation of people for the ministry of spiritual direction for the past thirty-six years. With an initial background in mathematics and education she moved from New York to Chicago in 1983 and studied at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership, Chicago. She went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Theology at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.
Lucy worked for many years at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago including the position of Executive Director and President of the Board of Directors. Lucy has been active in the work of Spiritual Directors International, serving on the first Coordinating Council and chairing the initial committee that prepared the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct endorsed by Spiritual Directors International. She also worked on the recent revisions of that document. She is a frequent presenter at the annual meetings of Spiritual Directors International.
In addition to her ministry as a spiritual director and supervisor, Lucy currently teaches at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and has worked in training programs preparing people for the ministry of spiritual direction in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Canada. Lucy has also published several articles on adult formation and the ministry of spiritual direction.
Lucy Abbott Tucker’s book, Spiritual Direction Supervision: Principles, Practices, and Storytelling, published by SDI Press, brings fresh energy and practical wisdom to the art of spiritual direction supervision.
Published Articles:
A Curriculum to Accompany the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct, Presence 24.7, 2018
Live Nearby, Visit Often: Focusing and the Spiritual Direction Process, Presence 7.3, 2001
Guidelines for Ethical Conduct: A Glance Backward, A Glimpse Ahead, Presence 16.2, 2010
Embracing the Wisdom of the Body, Feelings and Spiritual Direction, Sacred is the Call, 2005
Called and Trained: The mission of spiritual direction and the training of directors, Journal for Supervision and Training, 2006
Details of this retreat
Presence is a sacred art, one that shapes not only how we accompany others, but how we awaken to ourselves. As spiritual directors and companions, we offer our presence to our directees and strive to provide a safe space for their true essence to emerge and flourish. In that striving, we also need to ponder whether we offer the same gift to ourselves. Join us as we explore the different facets of presence and how the quality of our presence impacts us, our directees, and those around us.
This retreat will be led by spiritual companion, author, and educator, Lucy Abbott Tucker. It will include morning and afternoon sessions and will provide a rich environment of learning, sharing, and reflection. Commuter and overnight options are available.
A retreat for Spiritual Directors/Companions
Co-sponsored by
Spiritual Life Center & Genesis Spiritual Life Center
This retreat will be led by spiritual companion, author, and educator, Lucy Abbott Tucker. It will include morning and afternoon sessions and will provide a rich environment of learning, sharing, and reflection. Commuter and overnight options are available.
A retreat for Spiritual Directors/Companions
Co-sponsored by
Spiritual Life Center & Genesis Spiritual Life Center
Getting Here
Genesis Spiritual Center, 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
Accommodation
3-Night - Single Occupancy
3-Night - Double Occupancy (Requires Two People)
2-Night - Single Occupancy
2-Night - Double Occupancy (Requires Two People)
2-Day Commuter with Lunch (Friday & Saturday)
1-Day Commuter with Lunch (Friday)
1-Day Commuter with Lunch (Saturday)
Customer Reviews
Verified
4.0
Verified
Christianity in Crisis
Excellent program. Brother Dom’s presentation was timely, clearly articulated, and inspiring. I have attended previous programs by him, and he never disappoints.
I have one suggestion for Genesis. There was some confusion about the agenda, in terms of times of the sessions as well as when the actual sessions began and ended. It would be helpful if an agenda could be sent out the day before the program begins. As commuters, it was a bit challenging to make sure we knew exactly when we needed to be there and for how long.
That said, as always, the staff was welcoming, helpful and friendly.
I have one suggestion for Genesis. There was some confusion about the agenda, in terms of times of the sessions as well as when the actual sessions began and ended. It would be helpful if an agenda could be sent out the day before the program begins. As commuters, it was a bit challenging to make sure we knew exactly when we needed to be there and for how long.
That said, as always, the staff was welcoming, helpful and friendly.
3.0
Verified
Toxic christianity
This workshop had outstanding researched material. The presenter was very knowlegable.
I was overwhelmed by so much input with no processing time permitted. I wished the presenter could present his points in everyday language.
I was overwhelmed by so much input with no processing time permitted. I wished the presenter could present his points in everyday language.
5.0
Verified
Christianity in Crisis
Retreat center was quiet and accommodations were very comfortable. Bro Don Bisson is an excellent presenter
5.0
Verified
Christianity in Crisis
The topic was very relevant and well presented. There were opportunities for questions and comments. It provided thoughtful information to bring home to continue to digest, absorb and live from.
