There is something about late summer that invites us to pay attention.
The days are still warm, yet the evenings begin to whisper that a new season is on its way. The fields seem to slow their pace, the light softens, and even the river appears to move with a quiet confidence.
I wonder if our souls long for that same rhythm.
Many of us spend our days moving from one responsibility to the next, measuring life by what we accomplish rather than by the peace we carry. We often discover that while our calendars are full, our souls are weary.
At Farmstead, we’re reminded that God rarely rushes. Throughout Scripture, He meets people in gardens, on mountainsides, beside rivers, and in quiet places. Before He sends us, He first invites us to come.
This month, perhaps the invitation is simply to pause.
Take a slow walk.
Notice the sky.
Listen before speaking.
Spend five uninterrupted minutes with God.
The world will continue spinning, but your soul may finally have room to breathe.
We hope you’ll find moments of stillness wherever you are, and we look forward to welcoming many of you back to the Farmstead this fall.
With peace,
Patti Hunter
Around the Farmstead
The pastures are glowing in the evening light, the walking trails are shaded with late-summer green, and preparations are underway for a meaningful season of retreats. Each gathering reminds us that healing often begins when we simply make space to slow down.
Soul Care Practice
Find Your True North
This month, spend ten quiet minutes asking yourself:
What has been directing my life lately?
Is it fear?
Achievement?
Control?
Approval?
Or is it the steady presence of Christ?
Write one word that describes where your heart is today, and one word that describes where you sense God inviting you.
Carry those words with you throughout the week.
Featured Retreat
Re-Compassing to Live Fruitfully
September 18–19
What if the problem isn’t that you’ve lost your way—but that your compass simply needs recalibrating?
Join the Rev. Dr. Asha George-Guiser for a deeply restorative retreat exploring how our understanding of God shapes every part of our lives. Through prayer, creative reflection, communion at the labyrinth, silence, and conversation, you’ll gently acknowledge the wounds you’ve carried, embrace God’s healing presence, and create a personal soul care plan to guide you into a more fruitful life.
Whether you’re feeling spiritually tired, navigating a season of transition, or simply longing to reconnect with God, this retreat offers space to pause, heal, and rediscover your true North.
Meet Our Guide
Rev. Dr. Asha George-Guiser has spent more than forty years helping individuals, couples, clergy, and communities integrate Christian spirituality with emotional and relational health. As both an Episcopal priest and marriage and family therapist, she brings wisdom, compassion, and practical tools for living with greater freedom and wholeness.
During this retreat, Dr. George-Guiser will guide participants through themes of healing, gratitude, forgiveness, and sustainable soul care, offering space for both honest reflection and hopeful renewal.
Looking Ahead
August 7-9
The Light Breaks Through – A Weekend Art Retreat at Ignatius House – By Patti Hunter
September 18–19
Re-Compassing to Live Fruitfully
September 30-October 4, 2026
Contemplative Christian Retreat in Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland
October 23–24
Abide: Living in the Presence of God
November 21
Art & Soul Workshop
We’d love to welcome you—or someone you know—to Farmstead this fall.
A Closing Blessing
May you find quiet in the midst of noise.
May your heart be gently reoriented toward God’s faithful presence.
May your soul discover the rest it has been longing for.
And may you know that there is always a place waiting for you here at Farmstead on the River.