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Living into a New Story Retreat at Spirit in the Desert


  • Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center 7415 East Elbow Bend Road Carefree, AZ, 85377 United States (map)

How do we live faithfully in a world where new scientific discoveries and ancient earth wisdom invite us to see God’s creation with fresh eyes? From January 16–19, 2026, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona, will host Living Into a New Story, a four-day retreat exploring the intersection of Christian theology, natural sciences, and earth-based spirituality.

Led by Pastor Ron Rude (author of Amending the Christian Story) and hymnist and lay theologian Sharon Reinbott, this retreat offers participants a chance to wrestle with profound questions of faith:

  • How do astronomy, ecology, evolutionary biology, and other sciences reshape our Christian worldview?

  • Can we hear God’s voice through both Scripture and creation?

  • How might new images of the Divine move us toward a more just and sustainable relationship with the Earth?

The retreat blends education, reflective pauses, music, worship, outdoor experiences, and community conversation. Participants will receive resources including ecology-centered hymn texts, Lenten worship materials, book lists, journaling prompts, and opportunities for both personal reflection and group dialogue.

Schedule highlights include sessions on “Stunning Universe, Wondrous Wilderness,” “The Power of Hymnody,” and “Re-imagining Humanity,” along with times for devotion, Eucharist, journaling, and optional hikes in the desert landscape.

Cost & Scholarships:

  • Private room: $650 | Double: $550 | Triple: $475 | Commuter (no lodging): $325 | Non-participating spouse/friend: $215.

  • Includes three nights lodging, eight meals, and all retreat materials.

  • A limited number of $300 travel scholarships are available for participants coming from outside Arizona or Las Vegas (first-come, first-served).

Participants from past retreats describe the experience as “challenging and enlightening,” offering new ways to integrate science, theology, and sustainable living.

Register online: spiritinthedesert.org/programs/retreats-in-arizona/living-into-a-new-story-retreat

Or call 480.488.5218 / email info@spiritinthedesert.org.

This January, come join others in discovering how God calls us to live into a new story—one where creation itself sings alongside us.

Earlier Event: January 5
Executive Skills for Church Leaders at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center
Later Event: July 16
Women of the ELCA 2026 Gathering in Des Moines