Programs

Yoga Foundations: A Gentle Practice for Body, Breath & Being

With Angelica Lopez

Open Dates
Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

This gentle class invites you to explore mindful movement, breathwork, and simple meditation, all grounded in the heart of yoga philosophy. Each week stands on its own, offering accessible movement (with options for both chair and mat), breathing practices, and reflections on the deeper purpose and roots of yoga. Come as you are—whether it's your […]

Private Retreat

Flexible Dates
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Are you seeking a sanctuary where time slows down, inner peace awakens, and your spirit finds renewed clarity? At Genesis, we invite you to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and renewal, where the beauty of stillness can awaken your spirit. Step away from life's relentless pace and immerse yourself in a personal retreat […]

Divine Radiance in Human Evolution - A Virtual Retreat

With Diarmuid O'Murchu, MSC

August 22 - 24, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Discover the inspiring story of how divine grace has been silently weaving through humanity's epic journey, and unlock the transformative wisdom that can revolutionize your understanding of spirituality and purpose. In this impactful virtual retreat, renowned social psychologist Diarmuid O'Murchu invites you on an extraordinary exploration of "Divine Radiance in Human Evolution" - a profound […]

Our Sacred Family: Care for Creation by Ilia Delio - Virtual Book Study

With Joseph Krans, OFS

September 4 - October 2, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Imagine a world where spirituality and environmental stewardship blend seamlessly together, guiding us toward a more harmonious relationship with the Earth and all its inhabitants. Join us for an enriching virtual book study of "Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth" by Ilia Delio, Keith Douglas Warner, and Pamela Wood during this season […]

Genesis Wine Tasting Event

September 5, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

Our Annual Wine Taste allows us to pause and take an evening to spend time with and enjoy our friends and neighbors. Proceeds from the Wine Taste enable us to continue our mission of hope and healing and to help with the upkeep of our beautiful grounds. To learn more on ways you can support […]

Becoming A BioSpiritual Focusing Companion

With Mike Smoolca and Nancy Benben

September 23, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life Center and The Spiritual Life Center (Hartford)

Experienced BioSpiritual Focusing practitioners and teachers, Mike Smoolca and Nancy Benben are offering a comprehensive 6-session program focused on developing BioSpiritual Focusing companions. This is aimed at all those wishing to learn the dynamics of effective and confident companioning. The 2-hour sessions will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and will be held over […]

Inner Light: Yoga Retreat

With Sally Barber

September 26 - 28, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

Light, your light, is the focus of this weekend yoga retreat. Yoga is the perfect way - and now is the perfect time – to increase your inner light. With yoga practices that move the body and focus the mind, you release tensions, overcome negative thoughts, and reduce anxiety. You feel heathier, calmer, lighter. With […]

BioSpiritual Focusing: Day of Presence

With Donna O'Connor

September 27, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

Imagine a space where science meets spirituality, where your body becomes a conduit for divine wisdom, and where every breath draws you closer to the essence of your being. Embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening through the practice of BioSpiritual Focusing. “When you seek me, you will find me. Seek me […]

Praying with Hearts and Hands: Prayer Shawl Ministry

With Connie Bartelson and Janet Young

October 3 - 5, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Center

Wrap yourself in a tapestry of compassion and divine love, where every stitch carries a heartfelt prayer and every thread weaves comfort for those walking through life's most challenging journeys. Join us for a warm and welcoming gathering as we come together to knit and crochet with purpose. This unique program combines the art of […]

Blessing of the Animals

With Joseph Krans, OFS

October 4, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Join hearts and paws on October 4th at 10:00 AM at Genesis Spiritual Life Center for the Blessing of the Animals, a celebration of the cherished connection between humans and their animal companions, coinciding with the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, known for his profound love for all […]

Embracing the Journey: A Women's Retreat on the Spiritual and Psychological Dimensions of Aging

With Betty Hill Crowson

October 9 - 12, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Embracing the Journey: A Women's Retreat on the Spiritual and Psychological Dimensions of Aging Embark on a transformative three-day retreat that invites you to embrace the profound journey of aging with grace and wisdom. Join other women as we journey into a deeper identity of and compassion for ourselves as we embrace the realities of […]

Tending Soul

With Liz Walz, MA

October 17 - 19, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Dreams whisper divine secrets, beckoning us to listen—will you heed their call? Without a vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 In Biblical scripture, for people to receive dreams and visions is common. In fact, the absence of dreams or visions is sorely noted. Life in modernity tells a different story; dreams are often ignored or […]

What's Old is New Again: Create Your Own Upcycled Journal

With Kat Kirby

October 22, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Unleash your inner bookbinder! Transform forgotten books into unique journals bursting with character, personalized treasures ready to capture your stories. Let’s create new journals from old books! (Or even new books). Using a hard-covered book, you will learn how to successfully deconstruct it by removing the text block. We will then reinforce the spine and […]

Unleash Your Inner Artist: An Exploration of Art Journaling

With Peg Considine BFA, M.Ed.

October 31 - November 2, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Imagine a sanctuary where blank pages become portals to your deepest self, where art becomes a language of the soul, and creativity flows as freely as your breath. This isn't just an art retreat—it's a journey of self-discovery that will awaken the artist you've always known lived inside you. Whether you're a seasoned creator or […]

Love's Soft Stillness: Hadewijch and Meister Eckhart as Mystical Companions - Virtual Program

With Mark Burrows

November 6, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Across the arc of the high Middle Ages, a powerful vernacular “school” of mysticism emerged. Associated with the brilliant 13th century Flemish Beguine Hadewijch and, half a century later, the German Dominican Meister Eckhart, these voices charted new mystical paths for those daring to venture on “a wayless way” (Eckhart). We’ll weave a conversation with […]

Sacred Soul: An Online Evening Retreat

With Cami Twilling

November 13, 2025

What if rediscovering your own sacredness could transform not only your life, but also the way you see the entire living Earth? Join Cami Twilling, Director of Earth & Soul, for a virtual evening retreat as we draw from the wisdom of John Philip Newell’s writings on Pelagius from Sacred Earth Sacred Soul. We will […]

Christianity in Crisis: The Journey Towards Individuation of a Religious Tradition

With Don Bisson

November 14 - 16, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

We are in a major transition. Are you ready to explore the future of Christianity and discover how you can be part of its transformation? Brother Don Bisson, FMS, presents a thought-provoking examination of Christianity's current challenges and its potential for renewal. This conference delves into the complex landscape of modern Christianity, addressing: The rise […]

Come to the Table: A Day on the Holy Spirit

With Michelle Suhocki and Valenda Liptak

November 15, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Discover how the Holy Spirit empowers your daily life: join us for a transformative day of insight, reflection, and practical application. This enriching event offers a deep dive into the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life. Participants will explore how the Holy Spirit functions as our divine Helper, actively working in the world […]

Journey to Wholeness: Forgiveness as a Spiritual Practice

With F. Bill Sheehan, OMI

November 20 - 23, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Discover the profound freedom and healing that forgiveness offers as you set out on a sacred journey to renew your spirit, deepen your faith, and transform your life. Forgiveness as a Spiritual Practice invites participants to explore the transformative power of forgiveness within their spiritual journey. Through reflection, silence, and centering prayer, this program provides […]

A Simply Centered Advent: Mandalas, Candles and Prayer

With Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner

December 1 - 22, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Begin your Advent journey this year with creative prayer, calming candlelight, and contemplative coloring. The beauty of Advent can easily become lost amidst the busy-ness of the season. If we are not careful and intentional, the sacred invitation to “wait with bated breath” quickly becomes the cultural compulsion to “shop with stressed-out spirit.”  Are you […]

Celebrate the Advent O’s - Guided Advent Retreat

With Nancy Sheridan, SASV

December 5 - 7, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step into a transformative experience this Advent with our Annual Guided Retreat. Immerse yourself in a sanctuary of peace and reflection, where you can pause amidst the holiday hustle and reconnect with your inner self. Advent 2025 Celebrating 15 Years - Celebrate the Advent O’s: Come Wisdom, Come Dayspring; Come Emmanuel Our gathering includes guided […]

Present to Presence: A Centering Prayer Retreat

With Anne Simpkinson

December 12 - 14, 2025
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Are you yearning for a profound spiritual experience that transcends the noise and chaos of everyday life? Discover a transformative journey into the depths of silence and divine connection, where you'll learn to open yourself to God's presence through the contemplative practice of Centering Prayer. A practice that promises healing, inner peace, and spiritual awakening. […]

Mindful Transitions: A Contemplative Year End Retreat

With Joseph Krans, OFS

December 30, 2025 - January 2, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

As we prepare to welcome a new year, we invite you to participate in a transformative program that honors the journey of 2025 while igniting hope for what lies ahead. Take a moment to pause, reflect on the experiences that have shaped you over the past twelve months, and look forward with anticipation to 2026. […]

Heartwork for Daily Life: An Invitation to Journey with Christian Mystics

With Mark Burrows

March 27 - 29, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

There is a river running through the heart of Christianity, deep and ancient—yet many have never tasted its waters. The tradition of Christian mysticism is an ancient and varied source of inspiration and provocation. Yet it has not always received the recognition it deserves. Those we call “mystics” were often at the margins of the church […]

Finding Wholeness in the Midst of Everything with Julian of Norwich

With Mark Burrows

November 20 - 22, 2026
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

We all long to be gladdened by what Julian of Norwich imagined as the inner music of love in our lives. She knew that the melodies that shape us—some in the major key, some in a jarring, discordant minor—are part of a larger symphony, if we learn to listen deeply enough. Julian described this as […]