The Contemplative Creative:

A Writing Retreat for Women

Step away from noise, urgency, and expectation to a space where writing is treated as a sacred practice. Where process, not product, is the order of the day. This communal experienceis rooted in paying attention to your voice, your Higher Power, and your innate creativity.

This retreat is for women who:

• Write or want to write (no publication or credentials needed)

• Feel called to a more intentional creative life

• Long to reconnect with their voice, imagination, and sense of calling

• Seek community that is generous, thoughtful, and non-competitive

Writers of all skill—and confidence—levels are welcome.

The Heart of the Retreat

Rather than pushing for output, we cultivate practice. Rather than striving for perfection, we aim for authenticity. Writing emerges organically from silence, reflection, and shared wisdom.

Each day we’ll move through a gentle rhythm of:

• Guided contemplative practices

• Soulful writing invitations

• Time for writing and rest

• Sacred listening circles (sharing is optional, not required)

There is ample space for solitude, art activities, walking, prayer or meditation, and simply being.

What You Can Expect

• Daily contemplative sessions to ground your body and spirit

• Thoughtfully crafted writing prompts designed to open you up

• Unhurried writing time without pressure to produce

• Facilitated group conversations rooted in respect and confidentiality

• A nurturing, beautiful setting that supports rest and attention

• An atmosphere of welcome and trust, where every voice matters

This is workshop is not focused on critique. Instead, it centers on honoring your innate creativity and crafting the stories you are called to tell.

What You’ll Take Home

Participants often leave with:

• Renewed clarity about their creative life

• A deeper trust in their own voice

• Writing that feels alive and honest

• Practices for sustaining a contemplative creative rhythm at home

• A sense of belonging and encouragement that endures

Many describe the retreat as both creatively catalytic and spiritually grounding.

A Note on Pace and Care

This retreat honors human limits. Rest is not an afterthought; it is part of the work. Silence is welcomed. Emotional and spiritual tenderness are treated with care.

You are free to participate fully and step back when needed.

Join Us

If you feel a quiet yes rising as you read, trust that response.

The Contemplative Creative is an invitation to write from the depths — and to remember that your creativity and spirituality are not separate from the rest of your life.

Retreat Leaders

Amy Lyles Wilson & Kasey Hitt will lead this retreat. Amy Lyles is a retreat leader, former board member, current volunteer and committee member at St. Mary’s Sewanee. She is writer, story coach, spiritual director, and community-based teacher. Kasey is a spiritual director, teacher, retreat leader, and co-founder of Wisdom Tree Collective.