Programs

Experience the quiet magic of fall at The Bishop’s Ranch on a guided Saturday hike through some of its lesser-known trails. Nestled on rugged terraces above the Russian River, the Ranch is a unique crossroads of ecosystems—bordered by the towering conifers of the coastal forests and the fertile, cultivated floodplains with remnants of riparian woodland.

This moderate-level hike will cover 4–6 miles, with some elevation changes along the way. While not strenuous, the terrain includes hills and uneven footing, so participants should be prepared for a moderately challenging walk. The pace will be relaxed and rambling, with plenty of time to pause, take in the views, and enjoy the journey.

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.

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or simply eager to be outdoors, The Fall Hike offers fresh air, inspiration, and the gentle beauty of nature in transition.

Use breath and meditation to deepen your understanding and appreciation of yoga. Our focus will be on choosing what opens your heart, supports your health, and uncovers your inner wisdom. You will be guided and encouraged to move past your resistance into a state of peace, clarity, and joy. After a morning of active, uplifting asana practice, focused on raising the energy and creating a sense of strength and lightness, in the afternoon, we will practice Restorative/Yin Yoga, moving into increased levels of awareness and stillness.

Registration closes November 3, 2025.

This creative collage, word, painting project is based on the book, The Kitchen Madonna, by Rumor Golden. We will explore the book together and then we will create our own kitchen Madonna's to bless our own kitchens. Each Madonna will be a unique expression of our own spirituality, culture, cooking and home life. The process will be as meaningful as the final art piece.

Join us for our annual contemplative Advent retreat amidst the beauty, peace, and hospitality of The Bishop’s Ranch. As in previous years, the Advent retreat will be curated and overseen by our Chaplain, Fr. Brendan E. Williams, CMR, who is also a professional spiritual director, scholar of religion, and experienced teacher of contemplative practices. Whether you are long experienced with the practice of quiet, contemplative retreats or exploring new vistas, we invite you to nourish your soul in the depth and contemplative quietude of Advent at the Ranch.

This four-week art and hiking program will take place on consecutive Saturdays in January. Each week, participants will embark on a guided hike to a unique location within The Ranch. During the hike, we will introduce you to a specific natural element of our ecosystem, such as ferns, mushrooms, our creeks, or the Mayacamas Mountains. You will then have some time to explore the area and collect specimens that inspire you.

Following the hike, we will enjoy lunch together. In the afternoon, we will have a three-hour art session. You will have the opportunity to create your own art project that creatively combines the natural items you observed and collected during the hike with the artistic style featured that week.

This program offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, explore your creativity, and learn a little about art history. 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 the strength of non-violence, the strength of desire, and the strength of compassion.

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.

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