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Immerse in Silence & Solitude
July 20-24, 2026
Our longest silent retreat is 5 days of silence and prayer with God.
We will begin and end in a shared space together.
Rooms and single occupancy with bedsheets and linens provided. Meals and all materials needed are provided.
Transportation is not provided.
Led by SFSAZ Team
Location: Prince of Peace Abbey, Oceanside California
Cost: Non-Member $725, General Member $652, Full and Professional Member $625
Spiritual Directors Connecting: Exploring Group Spiritual Direction
August 5, 2026 // 11am-1pm
Join us for an exploration into group spiritual direction.
We will explore:
-what is group spiritual direction and relevancy in today’s world
-best practices for facilitating a group
-managing group dynamics & expectations
There will be a time of small group practice. Then we will finish with q&a.
Whether it’s new or just a refresher – we look forward to seeing you there!
Location: ONLINE
Cost: Free
Group Spiritual Direction
September 2026 through May 2027 // 90 minutes monthly
What is Group Direction?
Group Spiritual Direction is a reciprocal space where five individuals come together on a regular basis to listen and walk with one another on their spiritual journeys. This space is formed to invite deep sharing and listening with like-minded people led by a trained spiritual director. Participants commit to the following:
- honesty with God, themselves and others
- participate wholeheartedly in the group through prayerful listening and response
- be vulnerable and open in your spiritual journey
For more information click here.
Each gathering will include a rhythm of prayerful silence and meditation, personal sharing by participants, followed by prayerful responses to what each participant shares. It is our hope that you will experience a welcoming community where you feel heard as you share your life with others. It is our prayer that you will journey together deeper into an awareness of God’s Spirit at work in your own life as you witness God’s presence in the lives of others in your group.
Location: ONLINE
Cost: $35/month for 9 months or $300 up front
Groups are currently forming! Fill out the Group Spiritual Direction Preference form below. No payment will be collected until you confirm the group time and date works for you.
Soul Care Day Series
September 24, 2026 // 9a-3p Soul-Care Day: Distraction & Resistance – The Fire That Refines
After awareness and response, we encounter forces that pull us away—distractions of comfort, ambition, and fear—and inner resistance to surrender. This day examines how these challenges are not signs of failure but invitations to deeper transformation. Like gold tested by fire, resistance refines us, burning away what is unholy and awakening virtues like love, wisdom, and joy. Through scripture, silence, and honest dialogue, we learn to hold our questions in faith, trusting the Spirit’s work even in trial. Distraction and resistance remind us that becoming “all flame” is a journey—one that passes through struggle into greater freedom and intimacy with God.
Location: Franciscan Renewal Center – 5802 E Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Cost:
Regular Registration – $55 per soul care day
General Member Registration – $50 per soul care day
Full & Professional Member Registration – $48 per soul care day
Practicing Silence & Solitude
October 23-25, 2026 // 1pm begin and 1pm end
48 hours of silence and prayer with God.
We will begin and end in a shared space together.
Rooms and single occupancy with bedsheets and linens provided. Meals and all materials needed are provided.
Led by SFSAZ Team
Location: Franciscan Renewal Center – Scottsdale, AZ
Cost:
Regular (Non-Member) Registration – $428
General Member Registration – $385
Full & Professional Member Registration: $364
Contemplative Hike
Monthly at 8am – December thru April
Location: Dreamy Draw Recreational Park, 2421 E Northern Ave, Phoenix
Step away from the noise and come join us for a Contemplative Hike, a guided time of stillness, prayer and connection with God in creation. Each month we will examine a different contemplative practice: Silence, Centering Prayer, Breath Prayer and Lectio Divina.
Each hike will be approximately 3-4 miles.
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes and plenty of water!
Led by: the SFSAZ Team
No cost.
creative pause. soul care for your creative self
Refund Policy
In-person events: 30 days or more prior to event: 100%, 14-29 days before event: 90%, 7-13 days before event: 60%, 1-6 days before event: 30%
No refunds available after an event.
Ongoing Contemplative Prayer Offerings
Be/Still
Camino de Phoenix Walk
Available anytime
Location: Walk begins at Cross Roads United Methodist Church (7901 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85020) and ends at Canaan in the Desert (9849 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ 85028).
“Pilgrimages are not about one place being more holy than another, for God is everywhere. Making pilgrimages involves a response to something inside us that longs to move toward, that seeks the holy beyond.” – Father Murray Bobo
The walk is approximately 9 miles.
Visit the Camino de Phoenix website for more information and a map of the walk.
Created by: the SFSAZ Team
Contemplative Prayer Group
Other Offerings
Renew
Renew: individual private retreats designed by our SFSAZ team to fit who you are and where you are in your life with God. Retreats include accommodations and meals at a retreat center, a silent retreat guide, and time with a Spiritual Director and/or Pastoral Counselor to help process all that you are experiencing as you spend time with God. Retreats can be anywhere from 2-5 days. Let us know and we can consult with you in designing a retreat. Great for times of discernment, transition, and/or simply needing the space to reflect and be renewed in your life with God and the ministry to which He has called you.
Please fill out this form to initiate the process.
FORMATIO: the art of caring for souls
A two-year cohort journey in learning the art of soul care. Based around six retreats, participants will learn to more fully care for their own soul as well as coaching others in the ways and rhythms of Jesus. The art of caring for souls is companioning someone in their journey of experiencing God in awakening to the love of God, growing awareness of self and God, increasing attentiveness to His presence and voice, and abiding in/with God. This invites a lifestyle of intentional practices and rhythms that form us in the image of Christ. Some of those practices include: silence and solitude, prayer and listening, and discernment and detachment in the context of Scripture and community. Click here for more program information.
Taizé Prayer
SFSTX: Summer Book Discussion
We invite you to join us this summer as we discuss the NYT & USA Today Best Seller Theo of Golden by Allen Levi.
A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is an unforgettable novel about the power of generosity, the importance of connection, and the quiet miracles that happen when we choose kindness and wonder.
The book explores themes of kindness, mercy, and human connection through these interactions, resonating with readers for its heartwarming and spiritual focus on seeing and being seen, though some readers note its strong Christian parable-like nature.
Each month, there will be both an evening and a daytime opportunity to join what we anticipate will be a rich, engaging, and enjoyable discussion.
We would love to have you join us and look forward to sharing this time together.
Discussion Dates & Times
June
Thursday, June 18 | 6:30pm -8:00pm
Saturday, June 20 | 11::00am – 12:30pm
July
Thursday, July 16 | 6:30pm -8:00pm
Saturday, July 18 | 11::00am – 12:30pm
August
Thursday, August 20 | 6:30pm -8:00pm
Saturday, August 22 | 11::00am – 12:30pm
Times listed are in CST
This website helps to make the time zone conversion: Evening time and Morning Time.
Centering Prayer Group @ Copper Hills Church
Day/Time: Last Monday of the month at 6:30pm
Location: Copper Hills Church – 27035 Black Rock BoulevardPeoria, AZ, 85383
Step into a shared quiet space set apart to rest in God’s presence. Presence invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and listen to Emmanuel, who is always with you.
Our time together will include guided stillness, Scripture reflection, and 20 minutes of silent prayer, with the full experience lasting approximately 45 minutes. PRESENCE takes place at 6:30pm on the last Monday of each month in the CH Prayer Room.