Welcome to St. Mary’s Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development
“In a world of noise, confusion and conflict, it is necessary that there be places of inner silence and peace, not just the peace of mere relaxation but the peace of inner clarity and love.”
Upcoming Retreats & Events
Recent News
Sampling a Forest Bath
“What is Forest Bathing?” “Do I get to keep my clothes on?” “Will we take a bath outside?” These were the first questions the staff asked when we learned that St. Mary’s Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development is sponsoring a one-day retreat on July 13 called Forest Bathing with Painting Response. Because we… Read More »
What’s a Retreat Like
“Walking a labyrinth for the first time taught me to trust the path” Read more of this first-person account of one woman’s life-changing experience while on retreat at St. Mary’s Sewanee. Tina Chambers’s essay, first published by Chapter 16, the website of Humanities Tennessee, can be found here. This retreat will be offered again in September…. Read More »
SMS Board Names Interim Executive Director
St. Mary’s Sewanee has announced that it has accepted the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Andy Anderson as executive director of St. Mary’s Sewanee: The Ayres Retreat Center for Spiritual Development, effective April 30, 2019. In his place, the Board has hired former executive director the Rev. John Runkle to serve in a half-time interim… Read More »
Non-Profit Resources & Accreditations
