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Give Me a Word 2019: Celebrating 10 Years!

SHARE YOUR WORD FOR 2019 In ancient times, wise men and women fled out into the desert to find a place where they could be fully present to God 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 […]

Give Me a Word (and second annual Abbey New Year Giveaway)

Last year I offered the invitation to my readers to consider a word shimmering for them that might carry them throughout the year.  There were 140 beautiful postings and I later created a Wordle from the entries as a celebration of the prayers gathered.  I offer the same invitation this year and again some prizes […]

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.

New Year Blessings ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Dearest monks and artists, I pray this note finds you well and thriving as we move through the season of Christmas and this turning point of the calendar to a new year.  I have had a time of mini-sabbatical these last few weeks as my health continues to be a challenge. Rest is such a […]

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.