Special Guests: Simon de Voil & Jeanette Banashak

When: April 14-19, 2024

Where: Serra Retreat Center, Malibu

To Saint Francis, Mother Earth was a mirror of God. In the legacy of Celtic Christianity, we’re reminded that the teachings of the Bible are a wee book, set beside the big book that is Creation. Yet in much of contemporary spiritual and religious practice, we’ve lost our connection with the earth, the living water, the voice of God in all her creatures. How do we learn to see again the face of God in all of Creation? What does it mean to touch the earth with reverence, in the midst of so much ecological distress? Can we remain open to divine wisdom as we respond to this moment in the unfolding cycle of Creation? And … wouldn’t we love an easy answer to these big questions? 

Reverend Simon Ruth de Voil is an ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister, trained to be a sacred presence outside the conventions of traditional religion. As a sacred musician, spiritual mentor and worship leader he incorporates chant, ritual, storytelling and mindful practice to create a space for profound connection and sacred witness. Simon is also an experienced workshop and retreat leader, drawing on 15 years of study, training, and practice that grew from his time living and working in Iona Abbey. Although influenced by many traditions, Simon's spiritual path and teaching is deeply rooted in Celtic Christianity, the wisdom of the earth, and in the Scottish land where he's spent most of his life. Check out Simon’s website at https://simondevoil.com

Dr. Jeanette Banashak is a queer and bilingual interspiritual and interreligious companion. She has a diploma in shinrin yoku (forest bathing) and guides people of all ages in urban nature immersion experiences as an act of justice and is deeply committed to the work of integrating life’s experiences. She is the co-founder/director of The Spiritual Guidance Training Institute and author of The Mindful Pilgrimage: A 40-Day Pocket Devotional for Pilgrims of Any Faith or None. Jeanette also teaches social and emotional learning and child development at Erikson Institute and spiritual direction at the Graduate Theological Foundation.