SoulCollage® is a contemplative, creative practice that invites us to slow down, listen deeply, and connect with self, others, and God in the quiet places of our own soul. Using images arranged on 5x8 cards, we explore the many aspects of our inner life—our gifts, our questions, our joys, and more. This playful process helps us access the intuition and wisdom within us, creating a personal deck of cards that can support reflection, discernment, and spiritual growth.

No artistic ability is needed—only an open heart and a willingness to be gently led by soul and Spirit. At the heart of SoulCollage® is an invitation to play. This introduction to SoulCollage® workshop will cover the key concepts and practices of the SoulCollage® method. Whether a beginner or active practitioner, this workshop offers a meaningful and creative day of connection and community.

Guilded by Becky Hambrick, M.ED.

Becky offers spiritual direction, SoulCollage® workshops/retreats, dream groups, and Enneagram coaching in Cary, NC and online. Becky completed her Spiritual Direction training in 2016 at the Haden Institute for Spiritual Direction and Dream Leader Training. Becky creates sacred space for exploring, reflecting, and deepening one's spiritual journey in a safe and confidential setting. With advanced training in dreamwork, the Enneagram, and SoulCollage®, Becky uses these tools to assist directees in discovering all the many fascinating aspects of who God created them to be. Visit her website at sacredspaceforyou.com.

What stories do your body and soul long to tell? How might words help you connect with yourself, with nature, with other people, and with the sacred or divine?

This day of retreat is an opportunity to wonder with words through writing. It will include time for solitary writing, conversation with fellow writers, prompts and self-guided activities to inspire your creativity, and time to enjoy nature at The Trees. This writing retreat is for anyone who wants to write, whether in a specific genre or as a spiritual or meditative practice, whether you are just getting started or a seasoned author.

Guided by Jodi Belcher

Jodi Belcher (she/her) is a queer woman, writer, educator, editor, and lay Episcopalian who wrote her first book at the age of six about a school field trip to the circus. Writing is her favorite form of creativity, expression, and seeking connection with the sacred. She regularly works with writers as Lead Editor of Building Faith at Virginia Theological Seminary, and her devotional writing has appeared in Forward Day by Day. When she is not writing fiction or creative nonfiction, she enjoys spending time with her three kids, walking and jogging outside, visiting coffee shops, perusing bookstores, and finding good breakfast eateries.

We will approach the Divine with Wonder through the four-step practice of Opening, Noticing, Focusing, and Reflecting.

This retreat day will offer multiple opportunities for creative expression as well as mindful walking, ritual, gratitude, and awe to the Creator.

Guided by Nancy and David Stoller

Nancy is a certified spiritual director and a graduate of the Haden Institute. What attracted Nancy to spiritual direction is the nexus between art and spirituality. Prior to attending the Haden Institute, she spent her life as a visual artist and home plan designer.

David is a certified Spiritual Director and a graduate of The Haden Institute. He has also studied at the Shalem Institute. His experience includes leading retreats and quiet days, presenting at conferences, facilitating discernment for groups and individuals, mentoring, and teaching.

What if the hardest places and parts of our lives are an opening to speechless love before the Holy?

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.

Guided by Jessica Barr, LCSW and Laura Kirby

Jessica Barr is a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Social Worker trained at UNC Chapel Hill, with experience in both medical settings and private practice. Her work is grounded in a relational, analytic, and integrative approach. In her personal journey, she enjoys exploring the intersections of nature, creativity, spirituality, psychology, and relationships to support growth and meaningful change in life.

Laura Kirby spent 20 years as a psychologist helping children and families before responding to a call to expand her mental health background to include spiritual care and support. She completed training in contemplative prayer and retreat leadership at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction training at the Haden Institute. Laura is passionate about helping people hear and follow the “still small voice of God.” Laura is currently serving as Executive Director at The Trees.

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.

For this retreat day, bring a dream you are curious about and a journal. This ancient, sacred practice is a profound journey to what Carl Jung calls the Self, our soul.

Guided by Rev. Nancy Huslage M.A.

Nancy is an Interfaith Minister and certified dream work facilitator. She is a retired hospice chaplain and has been helping people understand the meaning of their nighttime dreams for 35 years. She leads online and in person dream groups and has a private dream work practice. She is certified in dream work from both the Haden Institute and the Marin Institute for Projective Dream Work.

This retreat will offer an expansive opportunity to experience the gentle contemplative practice of Forest Bathing.

While together among the trees, you will have space to connect with yourself and the wonder of the natural world through simple sensorial activities. During this season of change, we will notice what is being released and the new spaces being created. Poetry, meditations, time for journaling, creating, and wandering will be offered. Our mental, physical and spiritual well being will be enhanced as well as our deepening connection to the web of life.

Guided by Elizabeth Newman

Elizabeth is certified to lead Forest Bathing Walks by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. She's a hiker, a gardener and a lover of little things, especially her twin grand babies.