Creation Spirituality

CREATION
SPIRITUALITY

CONTEMPLATIVE
LIVING

WHOLENESS
SPIRITUALITY

CHRISTIAN
LIVING

Creation Spirituality is a transformative spiritual movement that invites individuals to reconnect with the sacredness of the universe and their own existence. It views creation itself as a primary revelation of the divine, encouraging us to see the world as a vibrant, living expression of divine presence. This perspective calls for a radical reimagining of our relationship with the cosmos, emphasizing creativity, transformation, and compassionate action as sacred acts.

Key aspects of Creation Spirituality include:

Engaging with creation through awe, wonder, and reverence
Recognizing the interconnectedness of all things
Exploring and expressing inherent creativities
Pursuing social justice and environmental stewardship

Drawing from diverse sources such as indigenous wisdom, mystical traditions, and contemporary science, Creation Spirituality offers a holistic framework for those seeking deeper meaning in life. It invites us to become co-creators in an ongoing cosmic story, fostering a profound sense of connection to the universe and to each other.

Genesis Spiritual Life Center offers a rich array of programs that guide you on a transformative journey exploring the profound interconnectedness of all creation. Through their Creation Spirituality offerings, you can engage with a spiritual framework that celebrates the divine presence in every aspect of our universe. These programs blend contemplative practices, theological insights, and hands-on experiences to deepen your spiritual practice, enhance your connection with nature, and inspire a more harmonious relationship with the world around you. Whether you’re exploring the concept of God in and beyond all things or developing a deeper appreciation for nature as sacred, Genesis provides a supportive environment for your spiritual growth amidst the beauty of the 19-acre Providence Arboretum, revealing the love of God for all creation.

Some Topics Related to Creation Spirituality include:

Foundations of Creation Spirituality

Core principles of our connection to the universe.

Divine Presence in Nature

Exploring how the sacred manifests in the natural world.

Contemplative Practices in Nature

Mindfulness & reflection amidst creation.

Forest Bathing & Nature Immersion

Explore the healing benefits of time in nature.

Care for Creation (Laudato Si’)

Developing a sense of kinship with our planet.

Meditation & the Cosmic Christ

Spirituality through the lens of universal love & presence.

Connecting with the Divine

Contemplative practices & our connection to the sacred.

Interconnectedness of All Beings

Exploring the connections that unite all forms of life.

Art & Creativity in Creation Spirituality

Artistic practice, creative expression, and the divine.

Indigenous Wisdom & Spirituality

Learning from traditional ecological knowledge.

Science & Spirituality

Bridging modern cosmology with spiritual insights.

Integrating Creation Spirituality

Apply spiritual principles to daily life & community action.

Join us as we explore the rich tapestry of Creation Spirituality, fostering a deeper connection with the divine, nature, and ourselves.

Upcoming Creation Spirituality programs

Restoring Sacred Conversation with Earth

With Victoria Loorz

October 9 - 11, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

The wisdom and guidance we need for this time of tragic ecological and political collapse will not be found in the dominant ways of thinking. Over fifty years ago, Thomas Berry urged us to turn and face these challenges by pointing to the root cause of the problem, "We are talking only to…

An Autumnal Labyrinth Experience

With Cathy Rigali

October 31, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step into an eco-spiritual journey of reflection. During the midpoint of the season, take time to contemplate the autumnal shifts as we prepare ourselves for the seasons ahead. As you walk, surrounded by the vibrant colors of the changing foliage, you are invited to recall your experiences of autumn, notice…

Sacred Shift: How Faith is Evolving in the 21st Century – A Virtual Retreat

With Diarmuid O'Murchu, MSC

November 6 - 8, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center

Is religion truly dying—or is it being reborn in new and unexpected ways? While popular culture often insists that faith is in decline, we are also witnessing a widespread search for new forms of spiritual connection—practices that honor our inner wellbeing, nurture community, and recognize the sacredness of the natural…

The Cosmic Christ Triptych with Br. Michael Moran

With Br. Michael Moran, C.P.

November 7, 2026

Join us for a presentation on The Cosmic Christ Triptych, Genesis's beloved contemporary altarpiece, by the designer and artist Br. Michael Moran, C.P. Enjoy the story of conversations with Foundress Sr. Elizabeth Oleksak to commission Br. Michael to paint the panels and transform our chapel into a space that better reflects…

Among the Luminaries: An Evening Holiday Celebration at Genesis

With Genesis Team

December 11, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Celebrate the beauty and wonder of the holiday season at Among the Luminaries, a magical evening experience set throughout the beautiful grounds of Genesis and the Providence Arboretum. As twilight settles in, hundreds of softly glowing luminaries will illuminate pathways, gardens, and wooded trails, creating a peaceful and inspiring holiday…

The Wonder of the Nativity – Live at Genesis

With Genesis Team

December 18, 2026

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step into a scene that stirs the soul and awakens the wonder of the season. Journey back in time and witness the Christmas story come alive beneath winter’s starlit sky. Join us at Genesis on Friday, December 18, 2026, at 6pm, for an exciting Live Nativity experience 💫✨ Inspired by…

Mindful Transitions: A Contemplative Year End Retreat

With Joseph Krans

December 30, 2026 - January 1, 2027

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

As we prepare to welcome a new year, we invite you to participate in a transformative program that honors the journey of 2026 while igniting hope for what lies ahead. Take a moment to pause, reflect on the experiences that have shaped you over the past twelve months, and look…

Lenten Conversations: The Lenten Wilderness: Solitude & Simplicity – Virtual Program

With Colleen Mollica

March 2, 2027

VIRTUAL PROGRAM

During Lent, we are invited to voluntarily enter the spiritual desert to strip away the excess of modern life. Today’s loud, consumer-driven culture requires constant distractions to keep our attention. The spiritual desert drastically lowers the prevailing noise of our lives, attuning our spiritual ears to hear the gentle, subtle…

Francis of Assisi: The World’s Most Popular Saint Still Has a Vision for Our Time

With Jon M. Sweeney

March 5 - 6, 2027

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

What if holiness has less to do with religion and more to do with learning how to see the world with wonder? Francis of Assisi was spiritual long before the term was coined, and he was religious in the best sense. We love him because he cut through the paraphernalia…

Lenten Conversations: Creativity as a Way of Life – Virtual Program

With Deb Ondo

March 16, 2027

VIRTUAL PROGRAM

Creativity isn’t something we have or don’t have. It’s something we’re in relationship with. Relationships require attention. They change. We neglect them. We return to them. Sometimes we trust them; sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we try to control them. And sometimes we have to listen without knowing what comes next.…

Spring Awakening: A Celtic Journey of Renewal & Connection – Hybrid

With Christine Valters Paintner and Simon de Voil

April 30 - May 2, 2027

As the sap rises and the daylight lengthens, the fields and forest reawaken into the new life of spring. Rooted in pre-Christian Celtic traditions, the festival of Beltane celebrates this blossoming into the bright half of the year. In this weekend retreat, we’ll explore ways to deepen our connection with…

Listening for the Spirit: A Pentecost Journey with St. Brendan – Virtual

With Rev. Sharon Seyfarth Garner

May 16, 2027

What if the Spirit is speaking in ways we have not yet learned to hear? What might happen if we, too, made space to listen for the Spirit…in different languages, in the songs of creation, in silence, and perhaps in other places we might least expect? What if Pentecost is…

A Contemplative-Prophetic Approach to Food – Virtual

With James Robinson, Ph.D.

May 24 - August 2, 2027

Some "live to eat" while others "eat to live", but regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, do you consider the experience of nourishing our bodies routine or ritual? In a society where food waste is exponential, the convenience of one-time-use packaging, containers, and utensils is rarely considered, and…

Nature’s Wisdom: An Evening Experience

With Colleen Mollica

June 7, 2027

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Imagine: the scent of pine, the feel of earth beneath your feet, and a profound sense of calm washing over you. Discover how a mindful outdoor experience can transform your stress levels and deepen your connection to the earth and all things spiritual. Join us at Genesis Spiritual Life Center…

Nature Immersion Experience: The Forest as Companion

With Colleen Mollica and Joseph Krans

June 8 - 13, 2027

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step into the forest as if entering a sacred conversation—one that listens as much as it speaks. Enter a sacred space of silence and wonder, where the forest becomes a mirror of your inner life and a source of renewal. This week-long Nature Immersion Experience retreat invites you into a…

Silent Saturday: An Intro to Sacred Silence

With Jo Ann Bourquard

June 26, 2027

Step away from the noise and renew your soul with an intentional day of silence. Leave behind daily distractions and busy routines to find your inner center. We will open our time together with a brief gathering, a thoughtful poem, and a reflection on the transformative power of quiet. The…

Nature’s Wisdom: An Evening Experience

With Colleen Mollica

July 12, 2027

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Faith & Flowers: A Creative Retreat for Rest, Reflection, & Reconnection

With Yetha Buckley

July 23 - 25, 2027

Faith & Flowers is a slower, hands-on weekend of art-making, deeper listening, spiritual exploration, and connection. Take respite in the process, reflecting on the parts of yourself that still need tending, finding grace and wholeness in every season of life. Through sculptural paper florals, mixed-media work, guided prompts, and complementary…

Lessons I Learned While Gardening

With Mary T. Naccarato

July 28 - 30, 2027

Do you delight in spending time in the garden, nurturing growing plants, and enjoying the beauty and abundance that each season brings? Whether you are an experienced gardener or simply appreciate the lessons nature can teach us, this enriching three-day retreat offers an opportunity to reflect on the deeper spiritual…

Nature’s Wisdom: An Evening Experience

With Colleen Mollica

August 2, 2027

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Farm-to-Table Luncheon: A Day of Reflection

With James Robinson, Ph.D.

August 7, 2027

Join Dr. Robinson for a day to reflect on Beyond Factory Farming from conception to publication, answer questions, and share his own reflections and methods for transforming the routine of eating into a ritual of gratitude and reciprocity. This time together, sharing a meal, will celebrate new understanding and commitments…

Come, Have Breakfast – A Virtual Evening

With Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ

September 16, 2027

“’Come, have breakfast’ (John 21:12). These three simple words followed by generous action open a portal into an ecological image of the living God who is active with cordial hospitality toward all creatures, nurturing their lives, desiring that all should be fed.” Join us for an evening with the author,…

Blessing of the Animals

With Joseph Krans

October 2, 2027

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Join hearts and paws on October 3rd at 10:00 AM at Genesis Spiritual Life Center for the Blessing of the Animals, a celebration of the cherished connection between humans and their animal companions, coinciding with the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, known for…

Harvesting Earth’s Wisdom in Contemporary Spirituality – A Virtual Saturday Retreat

With Diarmuid O'Murchu, MSC

October 2, 2027

For much of Christian history, spirituality largely focused on people and the salvation of the human soul in a world beyond. Today, there is a substantial shift as we rediscover the sacredness of all life, human and non-human alike, inviting us into new ways of relating to the creation we…

Among the Luminaries: An Evening Holiday Celebration at Genesis

With Genesis Team

December 10, 2027

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

The Wonder of the Nativity – Live at Genesis

With Genesis Team

December 17, 2027

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

Step into a scene that stirs the soul and awakens the wonder of the season. Journey back in time and witness the Christmas story come alive beneath winter’s starlit sky. Join us at Genesis on Friday, December 17, 2027, at 6pm for an exciting Live Nativity experience 💫✨ Inspired by…

Mindful Transitions: A Contemplative Year End Retreat

With Joseph Krans

December 30, 2027 - January 1, 2028

Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center

As we prepare to welcome a new year, we invite you to participate in a transformative program that honors the journey of 2027 while igniting hope for what lies ahead. Take a moment to pause, reflect on the experiences that have shaped you over the past twelve months, and look…