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
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 »
How am I to enter Lent today…
As Kingfishers Catch Fire As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;As tumbled over rim in roundy wellsStones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell’sBow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;Selves — goes itself; myself it… Read More »
The Rev. Regan Schutz Joins St. Mary’s Sewanee Staff
St. Mary’s Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development is pleased to announce that the Rev. Regan M. Schutz is joining the retreat center as Director of Programming. “Regan brings tremendous energy, talents, and experience to St. Mary’s Sewanee that will benefit everyone who comes to the retreat center,” said the Rev’d Dr. Andy Anderson,… Read More »
October Newsletter Remembers Bob Ayres
To read the entire newsletter, click here: OCTOBER 2018 NEWSLETTER At sunset on October 27, we celebrated Bob Ayres’ life and faith along with his immense contributions to St. Mary’s Sewanee through the decades. Watching the fiery orb sinking into the horizon was Bob’s favorite time on New Hope Bluff. And it has become mine, as well. Witnessing the daily rhythm… Read More »
Fr. Thomas Keating :: March 7, 1923 – October 25, 2018
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the death of Fr. Thomas Keating on October 25, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts. The following message is from Contemplative Outreach: Thomas was born in New York City in 1923 and remembers having an attraction to religious life from a young… Read More »
Six Reasons to go on Retreat at St. Mary’s Sewanee
Why go on retreat? We could tell you, but listen to what our guests say in their evaluations about their experience at St. Mary’s Sewanee: I’m leaving here inspired. Thank you. You have a beautiful setting and there was such a wonderful flow to the weekend. The retreat leaders were sensitive, intentional, and deeply loving…. Read More »
Non-Profit Resources & Accreditations
