Lenten Quiet Day: Hope as a Spiritual Practice
Saturday February 21, 9am-2:30pm

Emmanuel Episcopal Church invites the community to a Lenten Quiet Day on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, featuring renowned spiritual writer and retreat leader The Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes. The day-long retreat, titled "Hope as a Spiritual Practice," will explore how to cultivate hope as an intentional spiritual discipline in challenging times.

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In an era marked by political upheaval, climate crisis, and social uncertainty, many struggle to maintain hope. This retreat invites participants to reconsider hope not as wishful thinking dependent on circumstances or feelings, but as a deliberate spiritual practice rooted in something absolute and unwavering.

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Through guided prayer, contemplation on scripture, and communal sharing, attendees will examine the deep sources of Christian hope and discover how to practice hope as a Lenten discipline and an act of resistance—even in the face of apparent disaster.

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About the Retreat Leader

The Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes is a retired United Methodist pastor, poet, musician, and retreat leader living in Wells, Maine. He is the author and curator of Unfolding Light, a widely-read daily reflection blog featuring contemplative, creation-centered spiritual writings that have inspired readers for nearly two decades. His work includes poems, parables, and reflections often inspired by his practice of walking in the woods, inviting readers into a spirit of presence, compassion, justice, and delight.

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The Lenten Quiet Day is open to all, regardless of church affiliation.

Please RSVP to lventura@emmanuelwakefield.org