Summer Gratitude List
As I look around The Trees this month, I see so much to be grateful for.
with thanks,
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19
Witnessing a mama box turtle laying eggs and awaiting the hatching any day now
Our scouts, Alaina & Charlie, who plan to complete their Eagle Scout projects with us
The rain filling the creek and making our trees sing
Our new gutters to hold that aforementioned rain
Our partners, LEAP and The Beloved Community, who faithfully meet and build community among our trees
St. Philips, who gives us foundational funding to be able to do what we do
Our first All Creation Service and all the new faces
Our retreat guides and all the new people we’ve met as part of the Wonder in the Woods series
Our faithful friends who meet every Friday and offer Prayers and Poetry
Our new outdoor benches, hammocks, and rocking chairs, and the ones who generously helped make it possible
For each new person who sends an email, comes to visit, rents our space, or signs up for our newsletter
For the gift of noticing that God really is doing something new!
Featured Offerings
Monthly Quiet Day
First Tuesday (August 4)
10 am - 2:30 pm
Open to all. No sign up needed.
Come join us for quiet and centering surrounded by the trees. The house and trails are all open and available. At noon, we will offer Simple Presence, a shared time of silence for 10 minutes.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott
Starting September 1, we will offer a guided Quiet Day experience for those who are interested. Guided Quiet Day begins with an Opening Circle at 10:15 am. Also, a trained Spiritual Companion will be available on Quiet Days to offer deep listening and prayerful conversation to support your spiritual journey.
Great Southeast Pollinator Census
Friday, August 21
10:30 am & 1:30 pm
Drop in for some citizen science!
We will be hosting pollinator counts as part of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. All materials and instruction provided. Counting takes 15 minutes.
Watch Party: Mary Oliver documentary
Wednesday, August 26
6:00 pm
Mary Oliver is a favorite poet of ours. A new documentary from PBS’s American Masters series tells the story of her life and work. Join us to watch it together and discuss. Bring your favorite poem and maybe a snack to share.
Wonder in the Woods Series
May – October
A series of retreats designed to help us reconnect with our innate and holy sense of wonder.
We believe that transformation opportunities belong to everyone and are committed to reducing financial barriers to participation. Thanks to support from St. Philip’s and other donors we are able to offer these events on a sliding scale.
Standard $50, Reduced $30,
Pay It Forward $95+.
Wonder with our Wounds
with Jessica Barr and Laura Kirby
Saturday, August 22
9:30 am - 1:30 pm
In this contemplative retreat day, we will safely make space to acknowledge the heartache, pain, and brokenness in our lives and this world. Using a Kintsugi art practice, we will seek to integrate and even bring beauty to the cracks, wounds, and broken places. There will be time for honest reflection, prayer, wandering in the woods, and creating a Kintsugi masterpiece.
Wonder in our Dreams
with Rev. Nancy Huslage, M.A.
Saturday, September 26
9:30 am - 1:30 pm
We will explore the spiritual practice of dream work and will have time to work with your own dreams. There will be group dream work and time to walk in the woods and journal with an image in your dreams. If you are inclined, there will be art supplies available to work with your dream visually.
October
Wonder with Nature
forest bathing
Ongoing Practices
Beloved Community Worship Service
Sundays 4:45 pm
Prayer of the Anglican rosary, followed by a worship service with Eucharist. A simple supper is served afterwards.
Learn more hereMorning Yoga with Olynda
Fridays 9:00 - 10:15 am
Summer Session: July - August
No class: August 7For these six mornings we'll practice with the elements around and within us. We'll be in a perfect environment to tune in and re-connect to the wisdom of nature.
Fall Series starts in September
Sliding Scale fees. Space is limited. More details and registrationNature Journaling with Liz
Fridays 10:30 - 11:30 am
Slow down and observe the changing of the seasons with a nature journaling practice. No experience needed – you don't need to be "good" at drawing to enjoy tuning in to nature! More details
no sign up neededPrayers and Poetry
Fridays 12:00 - 1:15 pm
Experience the beauty of prayers, poetry and nature at The Trees.
no sign up neededForest Bathing
Saturday, August 8
9:00 - 11:00 am
Forest Bathing is a slow sensorial experience of being in nature. You will be guided in simple invitations to experience the woods through your senses, allowing you to slow down, restore yourself and connect with the natural world. No skill required.
More fall dates and registration
Friends of The Trees
coming events at St. Francis' Springs Retreat Center guided by friends of The Trees
A Day for The Soul:
Experiencing God in the Natural World
Saturday, September 12
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Slowing down and listening to the natural world can be an opening to connecting deeper to God. Come sink into silence and reflection while exploring contemplative practices on the beautiful grounds of St. Francis Springs Retreat Center.
Guided by Laura Kirby and Amy Sharon
Fall Retreat with Tim Hinton
October 18-19
The retreat, sponsored by the Spiritual Life Guild at Chapel of the Cross and facilitated by Professor Tim Hinton, is for anyone who feels the need to honor both the active and the contemplative dimensions of our common humanity. Our time together will be spent in contemplation, thoughtful discussion, and open-hearted listening. From there, as a group, we will consider what it might mean to put contemplation into action.
Click here for more information
Host your event at The Trees
We have many dates available, including several Thursdays and every Saturday in November!
The Trees is absolutely gorgeous all fall. Please consider bringing your group out for a retreat or planning session. Youth and college groups are also welcome! If ideas are needed for content and planning, reach out we can help!
Circle of Gratitude
We have so many volunteers at The Trees who quietly do the work of maintaining this property and helping with day-to-day operations. Our hearts stay so filled with gratitude.
This month, we give thanks for the Sappenfield family for all they do to support us here at The Trees.
Liz Sappenfield is the talented designer behind our new website, and she regularly volunteers her time leading nature journaling on Fridays. Boone, Trot, and Kit have been such good help at workdays and family events, including our recent summer kids camp. We thank the Sappenfield family for their dedication to The Trees!
O hear us as this day we say grace;
this day we say grateful;
this day we say blessing;
this day we release you in God’s keeping
and hold you in gladness and love.
– Jan Richardson, Circle of Grace
Show your Trees spirit!
Order a t-shirt from our Bonfire page and proceeds will support The Trees.
Unisex, fitted and youth sizes available
3 styles and 4 colors
In Closing
Be still, my soul, and steadfast.
Earth and heaven both are still watching
though time is draining from the clock
and your walk, that was confident and quick,
has become slow.
So, be slow if you must, but let
the heart still play its true part.
Love still as once you loved, deeply
and without patience. Let God and the world
know you are grateful. That the gift has been given.
– Mary Oliver
With Gratitude
We are so filled with abundance, trust, and deep hope here at The Trees. We are grateful for all donations to The Trees or gifts in honor or memory of a friend. Gifts are tax deductible. Please let us know if you'd like your donation to support a particular project.
