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Give Me a Word Prize Drawing Winners!

I am delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Give Me a Word prize drawing. We had over 230 responses and winners were chosen at random. Please email Melinda at dancingmonk@abbeyofthearts.com to claim your prize. May your words ripen within and guide you in the year ahead.

Give Me a Word Retreat ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Dear monks, artists, and pilgrims,  In ancient times, wise men and women fled out into the desert to find a place where they could be fully present to the divine and to their own inner struggles at work within them. The desert became a place to enter into the refiner’s fire and be stripped down […]

Give Me a Word: An Advent and Christmas Retreat to Usher in a New Season of Life

Dec 3, 2023 – Dec 5, 2023 @ 3:00 pm GMT – 4:00 pm GMT –

with Christine and John Valters Paintner and guest teachers Aisling Richmond, Betsey Beckman, Carmen Acevedo Butcher, Claudia Love Mair, Deirdre Ní Chinnéide, Dena Jennings, Jamie Marich, Jo-ed Tome, Melinda Thomas, Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, and Simon de Voil

Join us for a 33-day retreat that takes us through the seasons of Advent and Christmas, a time to contemplate what holiness we are birthing within our souls. Each day there will be a different practice offered to inspire, challenge, and support you in listening for the word that wants to be spoken to your heart.

Give Me a Word 2023 + Prayer Cycle Day 6

Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, In November and December, we are releasing our brand new 7-day prayer cycle of morning and evening prayers on the theme of Soul of a Pilgrim. The audio podcasts for Day 6 morning and evening prayer are being released today on the theme of Beginning Again! This is one of the […]

Give Me a Word 2023

In ancient times, wise men and women fled out into the desert to find a place where they could be fully present to the divine and to their own inner struggles at work within them. The desert became a place to enter into the refiner’s fire and be stripped down to one’s holy essence. The […]

Yoga with Melinda: Give Me a Word

Jan 26, 2023 @ 3:00 pm GMT – 4:00 pm GMT –

with Melinda Thomas

In our Abbey yoga classes Melinda blends principles of Benedictine and inclusive spirituality with gentle, fluid asanas (yoga postures) for an experience of contemplative movement. Two blocks, a strap or scarf, and a blanket are recommended. No prior yoga background necessary. All bodies welcome. 

Give Me a Word – Drawing Winners: A Love Note From Your Online Abbess

Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, Thanks to everyone who shared their word with our community! The practice of listening for a word to guide you into the next season of your life is an ancient one.  This is an excerpt from my book Desert Fathers and Mothers: A brother questioned Abba Hierax saying, “Give me a word.  How can […]