A Joyful Gathering 2025

Program Details

A Joyful Gathering opens space for artists, spiritual thinkers, creatives, and delight finders to explore contemplative artful practices.

We welcome you for a day of refreshment and reflection as Deb and Kate share the spiritual practices that shape and define their faith walk as contemplative artists. Join in our life-giving conversation and art-making expressions as we explore unique ways to encounter the holy.

Together, we will be active participants with paints, pens, and other provided art materials to foster joy as you seek the ways of God.

Cost: $94.00 (includes program from 9:30-3:30, art supplies for the day, pastries and lunch)

Overnight options and other Artist Week events are available to add on when you register online.

A Joyful Gathering is part of our third annual ARTIST WEEK at Rolling Ridge from May 27-30, 2025

Artist Week is a spacious opportunity to spend time with other creative folks who are discovering the divine intersection of art and spirituality and expressing beauty through images and words. Our Moses Meeting will be converted into a community Art Studio for the week with workshops and space for artistic expression in all its diversity of forms. You are invited to bring your art supplies and journal to capture the ways you will be inspired by the beauty of the land and the people you will meet as you create during the week. Draw, write, paint, sculpt, create, follow the creative lead of the Creative Spirit.

Artist Week features overnight options with meals (Monday night through Friday morning). Click here for more information. Stay for one night or up to four and use the time and space as your spirit desires. We will have optional Day Apart Retreats (see below) as we welcome others into our community for the day.

Artist Week optional events include:

• Tuesday, May 27 = SoulCare with Artists Day

• Wednesday, May 28 = A Joyful Gathering: Discovering Artful Spiritual Practices (this event)

• Thursday, May 29 = Soul Collage

We hope that you will join us at the Ridge for Artist Week and enjoy the time and space to create in community.

If you have any questions, please email us.

About the Leaders

Kate Young Wilder

Kate is a spiritual director, author, artist, poet, and lover of nature and God. She and her husband live at the edge of a large pond in Moultonborough, NH, surrounded by tall pines and the occasional bear or fox. They regularly spend time in Grand Rapids, MI to be with family and friends there. She experiences great joy in enriching her experiences with the Holy Spirit through prayer, art, poetry, and books. She is, perhaps, most truly herself when discussing the questions and mysteries of this life. To further share those conversations, Kate has a private practice for those seeking spiritual direction as part of their own faith journey.

Debra Kennedy

Deb Kennedy is an artist and coach, who takes delight each day in the new things she learns about herself and others. As a lifelong Christian, she has been a part of many Christian denominations and faith practices and has come to appreciate each for the richness they bring to life. Deb likes to integrate her art practices with her spiritual practices. She lives on Cape Cod, MA, with her husband, Frank, and they also spend time each year in Southern Florida. She loves to share the contemplative, creative and meditative practices that have bring her joy and peace.