Join spiritual director, writer and musician Steve Givens for an exploration of what happens at the intersection of spirituality and creativity. Through talks, prayer, music, and opportunities for creating and sharing their own creative works, participants will engage with the inner movement of the Spirit of God in their lives and experience how that interaction plays out in creating works of art. All spiritual backgrounds welcome. Open to adults at any level of proficiency, participants are encouraged to bring their own “tools of the trade” to facilitate their times of creative exploration, such as journals, cameras, sketchbooks, watercolors, musical instruments, needlework, craft supplies, pencils, pens, markers, paper, textiles, etc.  

All participants are encouraged to bring a digital camera (or a phone with a camera) if possible, as one of our retreat experiences will include photography for all levels of proficiency. Friday evening will include a “coffeehouse concert” featuring Steve and two of his musical collaborators, Phil Cooper and John Caravelli, as well as an “open mic” opportunity for others to share songs or spoken word poetry or other writing if they choose. The closing prayer service on Saturday afternoon will also provide an opportunity (optional) for some participants to share works created during the weekend.

About our Retreat leader: Steve Givens is a retreat leader, a spiritual director, and a widely published writer on issues of Catholic-Christian faith and spirituality. He is also a musician, composer, and singer who lives in St. Louis with his wife, Sue. Steve has been a regular contributor to the daily devotional “Living Faith” for more than 30 years and is a “Faith Perspectives” columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He is a blogger, photographer and a frequent contributor to publications like Liguorian Magazine and Catholic Digest.