Silent Retreats
St. Clare Retreats
A ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee, St. Clare Retreats were founded in 2002 to provide silent retreats for women of all denominations and faiths. Participants follow the Psalmist’s invitation to come away for a time, to experience God’s presence in silent community. Half-day retreats are held monthly, and there is a weekend-long retreat every fall at beautiful St. Columba Camp and Retreat Center.
FRIDAY RETREATS (8:30AM-1PM)
Fridays of each month (summers excluded), women of all faiths are invited to St. Columba Camp and Retreat Center for a half-day silent retreat. After greetings and coffee, a brief meditation and communion are offered; then a peaceful, reflective two-hour period of silence begins. During this time, retreatants walk on beautiful wooded paths, sit by the fire, relax in a chair on the patio, knit, read, write, pray or just quietly commune with God. At the end of the silence, a short service proceeds lunch and conversation.
Please fill out the registration form below for EACH registrant and EACH date. Please call Mary Fortin with questions at 901-359-0894.
Registration closes Wednesday evening prior to the event.
2026 Silent Weekend Retreat
October 16-18, 2026 @ St. Columba (Memphis)
St. Clare Retreats, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee, offers silent retreats for women of all faiths. A silent retreat creates the space to listen more deeply while holding that same space for others, and that gift can reorient us entirely.
This year’s fall retreat will be led by the Rev. Patricia Matthews, Executive Director of The Interfaith Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Patricia is an Episcopal priest, a certified yoga instructor, and a lover of reading and writing poetry. She plays the guitar, piano, and cello, and also practices dreamwork from a Jungian perspective. Patricia is married to James Matthews and is the mother of Dillon, Zoë, and Louisa. We are beyond excited to have her lead the sessions at our fall retreat this year!
Half-day retreats are held monthly, and there is a weekend retreat every fall. This year's fall weekend retreat is set for October 16-18 at St. Columba. An additional night (Oct. 15) is also available.
Registration opens July 22.
Questions? Contact Heather: heartbrainbody@gmail.com