Altars by Susannah Crolius
Altar Camp: Exploring Thresholds of Sacred Space Through Contemplative Reflection and Creativity
Sunday afternoon, August 18 through Friday morning, August 23
The Farmhouse at Wisdom House Conference and Retreat Center
Litchfield, CT
A nod to the fun, lazy days of summer camp,
Altar Camp is a form of ongoing prayer and community where spirituality and creativity join together for a memorable and deeply meaningful time of communion. On the cusp of the powerful seasonal transition from summer to fall, you will be guided step by step each day, each step a separate yet unfolding and flowing movement into devotion, remembrance, releasing, setting intention, calling forth, whatever it is you need or want to venerate or hold sacred space for. We will explore specific forms of sacred space, including altars, shrines, reliquaries, grottos and memory boxes.
Participants will have plenty of quiet personal time and space to work alone on their piece or pieces in the beauty and peace of the Farmhouse. There will be optional daily time and space for sharing what is emerging for you in your creative process. You do not need to be “arty” or “crafty” to enjoy this retreat, only your mind and heart’s willingness to let your soul speak and your process unfold slowly over a period of days.
Some basic and eclectic art supplies. A brief list of personal materials to bring will be emailed to registrants.
To Learn More and to Register:
www.wisdomhouse.org/program-calendar/altarcamp
Susannah Crolius, M. Div. is a spiritual director, artist, retreat leader and grief tender. She is a member of Spiritual Directors International, the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and is a certified Spiritual Literacy facilitator with the organization Spirituality and Practice (www.spiritualityandpractice.org)
Susannah’s own spiritual practice is creating altars, shrines and contemporary icons from found objects, as well as interactive art installations such as an outdoor Grief Garden and in 2023, an invitation to bring her Relic-Query of Unbinding to the Wild Goose Festival in Union Grove, North Carolina.
An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ for over 25 years serving suburban and urban congregations as well as a Hospice Chaplain, Susannah stepped away in 2013 from denominational identity and institutional ministry to explore more generative forms of spiritual community and practice. She received a grant to cultivate an innovative two-year project exploring the intersection of spirituality and creativity to expand the language of the spiritual life, deepen the practice of one’s faith and build authentic community. This project unfolded into the
art + soul community, a largely virtual gathering place for seekers and creatives to be curious and imaginative together about our deepest soul stories.
Sunday afternoon, August 18 through Friday morning, August 23
The Farmhouse at Wisdom House Conference and Retreat Center
Litchfield, CT
A nod to the fun, lazy days of summer camp,
Altar Camp is a form of ongoing prayer and community where spirituality and creativity join together for a memorable and deeply meaningful time of communion. On the cusp of the powerful seasonal transition from summer to fall, you will be guided step by step each day, each step a separate yet unfolding and flowing movement into devotion, remembrance, releasing, setting intention, calling forth, whatever it is you need or want to venerate or hold sacred space for. We will explore specific forms of sacred space, including altars, shrines, reliquaries, grottos and memory boxes.
Participants will have plenty of quiet personal time and space to work alone on their piece or pieces in the beauty and peace of the Farmhouse. There will be optional daily time and space for sharing what is emerging for you in your creative process. You do not need to be “arty” or “crafty” to enjoy this retreat, only your mind and heart’s willingness to let your soul speak and your process unfold slowly over a period of days.
Some basic and eclectic art supplies. A brief list of personal materials to bring will be emailed to registrants.
To Learn More and to Register:
www.wisdomhouse.org/program-calendar/altarcamp
Susannah Crolius, M. Div. is a spiritual director, artist, retreat leader and grief tender. She is a member of Spiritual Directors International, the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and is a certified Spiritual Literacy facilitator with the organization Spirituality and Practice (www.spiritualityandpractice.org)
Susannah’s own spiritual practice is creating altars, shrines and contemporary icons from found objects, as well as interactive art installations such as an outdoor Grief Garden and in 2023, an invitation to bring her Relic-Query of Unbinding to the Wild Goose Festival in Union Grove, North Carolina.
An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ for over 25 years serving suburban and urban congregations as well as a Hospice Chaplain, Susannah stepped away in 2013 from denominational identity and institutional ministry to explore more generative forms of spiritual community and practice. She received a grant to cultivate an innovative two-year project exploring the intersection of spirituality and creativity to expand the language of the spiritual life, deepen the practice of one’s faith and build authentic community. This project unfolded into the
art + soul community, a largely virtual gathering place for seekers and creatives to be curious and imaginative together about our deepest soul stories.