St. Clare Retreats
St. Clare Retreats, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee, was founded in 2002 to provide silent retreats for women of all denominations and faiths. St. Clare retreat participants follow the Psalmist’s invitation to come away for a time, to experience God’s presence in silent community. Retreats are held monthly at beautiful St. Columba Camp and Retreat Center. Half-day retreats are held monthly, and there is a weekend retreat every fall.
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.
2025 Silent Weekend Retreat
October 16-19, 2025
St. Clare silent retreat is a chance for women to step away from the constant noise and demands of daily life and simply be. In beautiful surroundings held by quiet and intention, you’re invited to slow down, listen more deeply-- to God, to your own heart, and to the natural world around you.
There’s no pressure to perform or produce. Just space to rest, reflect, and breathe. Women come away from St. Clare silent retreats feeling grounded, renewed, and more in touch with what truly matters. It’s a gentle, sacred pause for the soul-- which is exactly what we all need.
Please contact Heather Jordan at heartbrainbody@gmail.com with questions.
We are thrilled that the Rev. Sarah Cowan will join us as our spiritual leader this year! Sarah has served as Associate Rector and Minister of Communications at Church of the Holy Communion since 2022. She previously held a shared role at St. Mary’s Cathedral and Barth House, the college ministry for the Diocese of West Tennessee. A graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, she is President of the Diocesan Standing Committee and serves on teams supporting ministry and small church initiatives.
Originally from San Diego, Sarah earned her history degree at UC Berkeley and moved to Memphis after college, where she found both community and calling. Before ordination, she worked for 19 years as Director of Communications at St. George’s Independent School. Sarah and her husband Curt have two teenage children. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time in nature.
