Programs

Start the day with a guided hike through the 365 acres of scenic grounds that make up our Healdsburg retreat center, taking time to notice the colors, patterns, and natural details around you.

After a delicious Ranch prepared lunch, choose from several creative projects designed to help you turn those trail-side inspirations into artwork.

A refreshing mix of movement and making—perfect for anyone who wants to slow down, explore, and create something meaningful from the world outdoors.

Co led by Greta Mesics and Brooke Wright

Make time for those unfinished projects or new endeavors at a four-night quilt retreat. With all meals provided and no chores in sight, beginning through advanced quilters can truly focus on their passion. You’ll have time to be with old friends and the opportunity to make new ones while working on your own projects or sharing your creativity with other participants. This retreat is intended to give you the time you need for yourself without formal instruction or sales pitches.

In 2026 John Philip Newell begins a new series of retreats (called The Fire of Hope) to respond to the deep challenges of this moment, whether political, religious, or environmental. Where do we draw spiritual strength to passionately say no to what is false and witness to what is true and of God?

The Fire of Hope 1 is the first in a three-part series of annual retreats led by the Celtic teacher John Philip Newell and his colleague Cami Twilling in which we seek to nurture the fire of love, the fire of desire, and the fire of courage within us.

The teachings of this retreat are based on the book that John Philip is currently working on, drawing especially on the wisdom of Leo Tolstoy, Simone Weil, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Although the final text for this three-year series has not yet been written we recommend the following books by John Philip Newell as preparing the way, A New Ancient Harmony and the prayerbook Celtic Benediction.

The Fire of Hope 1 can be taken as a stand-alone retreat or in conjunction with The Fire of Hope 2 and The Fire of Hope 3 which can be attended in any order and at any of our retreat centers across the country or online.

Registration closes February 2, 2026.

A weekend of respite, creative reflection and renewal. Winter is a time to dig our roots into the deep rich soil of our lives and get reconnected to our inner wisdom. We will enter this exploration through the making of SoulCollage® cards, guided meditations, and gentle movement.

Our creative time will center around the creation of SoulCollage® cards. The process uses found images, intuition, and imagination.  First you use intuition to select images, sourced mainly from old magazines and books, which we then collage onto 5x8” cards.  Once a card is created, then we use our imagination to dialogue with the collage and listen for the wisdom it holds for us. A completed card, with its unique composition of images chosen by you, has a dream-like quality to it.  Like our dreams, each card can carry multiple layers of meaning. As we work with our cards and our personal deck grows, we become more fluent in the symbolic language of our personal journey. This process is accessible to all, anyone can do SoulCollage®, even people who believe they have no artistic ability. Your cards are unique to you and are for your personal use to discover your own inner truth and wisdom.

During the weekend as you make cards for your SoulCollage® deck there will be opportunities to go deeper in your inner exploration with mediation time in the beautiful Chapel of St George, walks on the meandering Bishop Ranch trails and wandering the lovely labyrinth. There will be other optional opportunities with afternoon and morning movement time.

All materials are supplied but feel free to bring old books, magazines, or art papers you might want to use in your card making process.

Find out more about artist and educator Lisa Thorpe and connect with her at https://lisathorpe.com

Join us for an inspirational springtime hike to witness the (rejuvenation of the land) and the many types of wildflowers that grow at The Bishop's Ranch. These living gems respond to a universal imperative - blooming in their own time and demonstrating the remarkable movement of nature toward diversity. Be prepared to walk five miles at a rambling pace, with several hundred feet of elevation change, taking time to discuss what we find.

Ranch host Julie Miller will lead the way, drawing on her background as a former park ranger, nature guide, retreat leader, and spiritual director. Her thoughtful approach invites hikers to see more than just the trail—to notice the stories the land holds and to connect more deeply with the natural world.

The group will stop midday for a Ranch-prepared sack lunch, offering a chance to rest, reflect, and enjoy the company of fellow hikers in a beautiful setting.