Receive a Word
2026-01-12 18:30 - 19:45 (America/New_York) | ZOOM
Receive a Word

Four Monday Evenings
January 12 – February 2, 2026
6:30 – 7:45 p.m.ET
on Zoom

Guided by Heather Hall, we will explore an alternative to “New Year’s Resolutions.” The modern practice of selecting a “Word of the Year” is based on the ancient wisdom of Desert Ammas and Abbas from early Christianity. The Ammas and Abbas, however, had cultivated a practice of Divine Listening and their wisdom sayings were meant to be pondered for weeks, months or years.
In her latest book – Give Me a Word: The Promise of an Ancient Practice to Guide Your Year – Christine Valters Paintner offers us guidance on slowing down and tuning in to what the Divine is offering you.
As you release the many pressures that surround you— from both within yourself and outside yourself— you’ll learn to listen for what shimmers and stirs within. As you receive your unique message, you’ll discover the invitation. Then you’ll explore the word and ways to carry it as you journey through the year ahead.
Though not required, it’s recommended that you get a copy of Christine Valters Painter’s Give Me a Word. You can purchase it through your favorite bookseller or online at The Retreat House’s Bookshop, here: Give Me a Word a book by Christine Valters Paintner – Bookshop.org US
Your leader for this journey is Heather Hall, who received her first word early in her career and has continued to listen for Divine wisdom.
Participation fee: $75
Register: HERE

Art, Spirit, and Creativity Circle
2026-02-04 18:30 - 19:30 | ZOOM
Calling all spiritually minded, art-loving Valentines…

Come as you are. Bring your longing, your questions, and your love.
Register now and step into this spacious, creative journey of the heart.

On Zoom

You are warmly invited to a six-week art journaling journey devoted to Love.
We’ll explore love in its many expressions—romantic and familial, communal and divine—through encounters with fine arts that open the heart, awaken the body, and guide your hand onto the page. Inspired by artists across time, you’ll be invited into reflection on your own life, beauty, and the presence of God revealed through creation and creative expression.
If you’ve been longing for a change of heart in our troubled world, come discover how the spiritual practices of art gazing and contemplation can open you to the great mystery of God’s love and calling through creativity—washing over you, renewing you, and strengthening your heart.
As St. Thérèse of Lisieux reminds us, “We become what we love, and who we love shapes what we become.” This course is an invitation to attend carefully to what—and whom—you love, and to let that love gently form you.

Course format:

Wednesday, February 4 – 6:30 – 7:30 PM ET — Opening Circle (Zoom | 60 minutes):An introductory gathering to set intention, create community, and begin our shared journey
Wednesday, February 11 through Wednesday, March 4, 2026 — Four Weekly Email Sessions: Art prompts, reflections, and journaling practices delivered to you—one per week (20-30 minutes, or, as desired)
Wednesday, March 11 – 6:30 – 7:30 PM ET — Closing Circle (Zoom | 60 minutes):A reflective gathering to share insights, harvest meaning, and bless what has unfolded

No prior art experience is needed—only a willingness to be present, curious, and open of heart.
Pay $33 for the 6-week course. Scholarships available. Additional donations gratefully accepted.
This course is facilitated and written by Lisa Groen, in partnership with The Retreat House. All proceeds from the course will support The Retreat House, and their online sanctuary for contemplative practice and community.
REGISTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/Art-Spirit-Creativity

About the circle facilitator:

LISA GROEN is the author of the historical novel The Cassatt Sisters and a collection of essays in The Mother’s Book of Well-Being. Her writing also appears in the textbook The Fourth Genre: Contemporary Writers of Creative Nonfiction.
A graduate of the University of Utah and the MFA program at The Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing, Lisa’s essays and short fiction have been published in Brevity, The New Southerner, and featured on Georgia Public Radio. Lisa stepped away from writing for more than a decade to pursue a corporate career and family life. In midlife she felt a pull to return, to tell stories that highlight the resilience and creativity of women across time.
Lisa is a spiritual guide and graduate of the Shalem Institute. Lisa lives in Utah and shares city and mountain homes with her husband and their dog, George Harrison. They have a blended family of five adult children and two grandchildren. Join Lisa on Facebook, Instagram, and Substack.

Prayer Gathering for Resilience in Community
2026-02-09 11:00 - 12:00 | ZOOM
Please join us
Monday, February 9, 2026

for a
PRAYER GATHERING FOR RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITY
with
short readings and poetry
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon EST on Zoom

With our world in such a time of change, we invite you to spend an hour among like-hearted people of prayer. We will gather on Zoom for a time of community and silent meditation. Join us to be together, holding our hearts open to the Great Love of the Divine and listening deeply in the quiet for the guidance, encouragement and love that we can all lean into as we start walking the long road into the unknown. We invite you to spend an hour among like-hearted people of prayer.
Come when you can, leave when you must.
We will be together from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon EST.

The gift of your presence in the circle
will mean so much to all who gather.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88042304235?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 880 4230 4235 Passcode: [REDACTED]
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Meeting ID: 880 4230 4235
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Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kouQUcrCs

Prayer Gathering for Resilience in Community
2026-03-09 11:00 - 12:00 | ZOOM
Please join us
Monday – March 9, 2026

for a
PRAYER GATHERING FOR RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITY
with
short readings and poetry
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon EST on Zoom

With our world in such a time of change, we invite you to spend an hour among like-hearted people of prayer. We will gather on Zoom for a time of community and silent meditation. Join us to be together, holding our hearts open to the Great Love of the Divine and listening deeply in the quiet for the guidance, encouragement and love that we can all lean into as we start walking the long road into the unknown. We invite you to spend an hour among like-hearted people of prayer.
Come when you can, leave when you must.
We will be together from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon EST.

The gift of your presence in the circle
will mean so much to all who gather.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88042304235?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 880 4230 4235 Passcode: [REDACTED]
—
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,88042304235#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Washington DC) +13052241968,,88042304235#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US
—
Dial by your location
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
• +1 507 473 4847 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) • +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) • +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US
Meeting ID: 880 4230 4235
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kouQUcrCs

Telling Our Story - Poetry Writing Workshop
2026-03-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Talbot County Free Library, Easton, 100 West Dover Street, Easton, MD, United States
Join us with our friends at the Talbot County Free Library for this poetry writing workshop. All are welcome and no experience necessary! We will find our voice create poems that tell our story – the much loved “I Am” poem and the Haiku. For more information, please reach out: heather@retreathousehillsboro.org

Poetry Open Mic - Kindness
2026-04-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Talbot County Free Library, Easton, 100 West Dover Street, Easton, MD, United States
Join us with our friends at the Talbot County Free Library for this evening of open mic poetry on April 6th. All are welcome!
Bring your own poem, or a found poem, and/or settle in to listen! We’ll listen together as community to poems that celebrate kindness and sing out our human story. Join us in the welcoming setting provided by our friends at the library. For more information, please reach out: heather@retreathousehillsboro.org

Prayer Gathering for Resilience in Community
2026-04-13 11:00 - 12:00 | ZOOM
Please join us
Monday – April 13, 2026
for a
PRAYER GATHERING FOR RESILIENCE IN COMMUNITY
with
short readings and poetry
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon EST on Zoom

With our world in such a time of change, we invite you to spend an hour among like-hearted people of prayer. We will gather on Zoom for a time of community and silent meditation. Join us to be together, holding our hearts open to the Great Love of the Divine and listening deeply in the quiet for the guidance, encouragement and love that we can all lean into as we start walking the long road into the unknown. We invite you to spend an hour among like-hearted people of prayer.
Come when you can, leave when you must.
We will be together from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon EST.

The gift of your presence in the circle
will mean so much to all who gather.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88042304235?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 880 4230 4235 Passcode: [REDACTED]
—
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,88042304235#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Washington DC) +13052241968,,88042304235#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US
—
Dial by your location
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
• +1 507 473 4847 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) • +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) • +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US
Meeting ID: 880 4230 4235
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kouQUcrCs

Receive an Image
2026-04-13 18:30 - 19:45
Receive an Image
April 13 – May 4
Monday Evenings
6:30 – 7:45 pm ET
via Zoom

with Heather Hall

Visio divina (sacred seeing) is the practice of viewing the world with the eyes of our heart. Like the ancient practice of lectio divina (sacred hearing), which listens to a text with the ears of our heart, this modern adaptation – using a simple camera to attune our perception – helps us deepen our connection to the Divine.
In her classic book – Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice – Christine Valters Paintner reframes the traditional language of photography. Rather than “taking” or “shooting” photos, we will practice “receiving” images as gifts. To “take” a photo is a strategic act of analysis; whereas, to “receive” a photo with the heart is an encounter with the sacred.
Through this program, you are encouraged to bring a camera on a walk so you can be fully present to receive an image. As you release expectation and judgment – from both within and beyond yourself – you’ll learn to watch for what shimmers and stirs within. Attune yourself with a new perspective and discover the invitation. Then explore the unique messages you receive.
Please note that this is not a “photography class.” Neither experience nor creativity are needed. No fancy camera needed, either. In fact, your cell phone is more than adequate for our purposes. And you need journey no further than your yard, though we anticipate spring flowers may bring draw you out a little further. 😉
Your leader for this journey is Heather Hall, who makes a habit of journeying with her camera and Divine wisdom.
Though not required, it’s recommended that you get a copy of Christine Valters Painter’s Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice. You can purchase it at your favorite bookseller or through The Retreat House’s Bookshop at: Eyes of the Heart
REGISTER HERE:
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Payment instructions:
Please do no let finances get in the way of gathering with us! We welcome you to pay as you will. Also, if you would like to donate an additional amount to support others, we are so grateful.
We prefer ONLINE payments: please visit this link just below, make a one-time donation, and write “Receive An Image” in the notes box.
CUT AND PASTE INTO YOUR BROWSER:
https://midshore.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3409
If CHECKS are your preferred payment, please mark the memo line with ‘Receive and Image’ and mail them to:
The Retreat House
P.O. Box
Chestertown, MD 21620
