"Hope is holding in creative tension everything that is with everything that should and could be, and each taking some action that narrows the distance between the two." Parker J. Palmer
St. Mary’s Sewanee is honored to host The Beautiful Not Yet: Sustainable Hope with Carrie Newcomer in 2025.
This weekend retreat led by singer songwriter, Carrie Newcomer, explores maintaining hope and our ability to envision change during times of individual and community challenge. Carrie uses music, poetry, reflective writing, along with group conversation to explore the personal stories and practices that keep us resilient and centered. Participants will be encouraged to share aspects of their lives that have helped them maintain hope in the past, as well as ponder if those things are still available and accessible to them.
Carrie Newcomer facilitates retreats internationally, co-hosts The Growing Edge Podcast, and leads The Growing Edge Retreats with author Parker J. Palmer. She is a Grammy acknowledged songwriter and an Emmy awarded performer and poet. She has 19 nationally released albums and three books of poetry. She has been called "a prairie mystic" by The Boston Globe, and praised for asking “all the right questions" by Rolling Stone magazine. She has appeared on On Being, PBS Religion and Ethics, and recently received The Shalem Institute's Contemplative Voices Award.
Carrie has presented retreats with Parker J. Palmer and utilizes Parker's Circles of Trust Method of Conversation and Listening, which includes listening and respecting one another in groups.
Those attending can enjoy the melodic sounds of Carrie’s “low and resonant voice as rich as Godiva Chocolate" as she sings, reads poetry, and tells stories. Guests will also experience the rare opportunity to directly engage with Carrie learning the creative process of songwriting themselves. They may even have a song of their own by the end of the weekend!
https://www.carrienewcomer.com/
Limited space is available.
After 72 hours of registration, a $100 cancellation fee applies. There are no refunds within 7 days of the program arrival date.
*A minimum registration is required for retreats to take place. If the program does not meet the minimum registration within 2 weeks of the event, there is the possibility of cancellation. If SMS cancels a retreat for any reason, any registered guest will receive a full refund of all payments.
Anna House lodging (motel style, private bathroom, heat/air), meals, program fees & materials included
St. Mary’s Hall lodging (dorm style, shared bathroom, heated, fan for cooling), meals, program fees & materials included
Commuter only (no lodging), meals, program fees & materials included