53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
September 17 - 20, 2026
About this Retreat
Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner is a spiritual director, retreat leader, author and United Methodist pastor. She founded Belly of the Whale Spiritual Direction & Retreat Ministries in 2014 and finds great joy in helping fellow seekers nurture spiritual vitality in daily living. Sharon is an award-winning author of two books on contemplative coloring (Praying with Mandalas: A Colorful, Contemplative Practice and Mandalas, Candles & Prayer: A Simply Centered Advent) and anticipates the release of her third book with Upper Room Books in the summer of 2026 (The Jonah Retreat: Still Enough to Know & Bold Enough to Go). Sharon has led spiritual retreats and workshops widely including on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, Spiritual Director’s International Annual Conference, Wild Goose Festival, Weird Church Camp, a school in Liberia and a women’s prison in Cleveland. In addition to her M.Div., she also holds graduate certificates in Spiritual Direction (Ignatian Spirituality Institute, John Carroll University), Diversity Management (Cleveland State University) and Ecumenical Studies (World Council of Churches). Perhaps more importantly; however, Sharon enjoys savoring this wild and wonderful gift of life by getting dirt from the garden under her finger nails, soaking in sacred silence, taking long walks, singing loudly, and seeking the world’s best wood-fired pizza (recommendations welcome!).
Details of this retreat
Immerse yourself in the ancient practice of sacred silence with a creative, new twist. Inspired by the story of Jonah, we will explore creative, prayerful and playful ways to nurture a life of faith that is both deeply contemplative and socially active.
Every morning, we will gather in community for brief reflections on the story of Jonah and to engage in spiritual practices inspired by his story. These sessions will be based on Sharon’s soon-to-be-released book, Praying with Jonah: Practices for Imperfect Pilgrims.
Every evening, we will share in simple worship together. During the rest of your retreat time, you are free to immerse yourself in the gift of spacious silence so as to connect more deeply with your sacred center and listen for where the Spirit may be calling.
Abundant creative prayer practices will be available throughout the retreat - including coloring mandalas, painting, collaging, origami, children’s picture books, finger labyrinths, pray-dough and many other playful prayer options. You may also choose to saunter through the serene grounds of Genesis.
If you are new to silent retreats, this is a great way to ease into the practice as part of a supportive community. If you already have experienced the blessing of silent retreats, this gathering offers space to deepen your practice guided by the reluctant yet relatable prophet, Jonah.
Join us for 3 days and 3 nights of spacious, sacred silence as we explore what it means to be still enough to know and bold enough to go wherever God is calling.
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