The Great Search Retreat

2026 Winter

retreat

Off-Site

A Silent Retreat including a Morning with John Philip Newell and Cami Twilling

When:

October 16–18, 2026

Where:

St. Francis Springs Prayer Center

477 Grogan Rd, Stoneville, NC 27048

In which the wisdom teachings of John Philip Newell and the spiritual practices of Cami Twilling inspire us in this time of transition toward a spirituality of intimacy with Earth rather than a spirituality of alienation from Earth, and a vision of interrelatedness and harmony instead of religious and political division. The retreat focuses on the main themes of John Philip’s ground-breaking new book The Great Search: Turning to Earth & Soul in the Quest for Healing & Home (August 2024).

Interested in attending the evening talk only?
Learn more about The Great Search: An Evening Talk at Christ United Methodist Church.

About John Philip Newell and Cami Twilling

John Philip Newell is an internationally renowned Celtic teacher and author of spirituality who calls the modern world to reawaken to the sacredness of Earth and every human being.

Canadian by birth, and also Scottish, he resides with his wife Ali in the ecovillage of Findhorn in Scotland. In 2016 he began the Earth & Soul initiative and teaches regularly in the United States and Canada as well as leading international pilgrimage weeks on Iona in the Western Isles of Scotland.

His PhD is from the University of Edinburgh and he has authored over fifteen books, including his award-winning publication, Sacred Earth Sacred Soul, which was the 2022 Gold Winner of the Nautilus Book Award for Spirituality and Religious Thought of the West. His new book, also with HarperOne, is The Great Search (August 2024), in which he looks at the great spiritual yearnings of humanity today in the context of the decline of religion as we have known it.

Newell speaks of himself as ‘a wandering teacher’ following the ancient path of many lone teachers before him in the Celtic tradition, seeking the wellbeing of the world. He has been described as having ‘the heart of a Celtic bard and the mind of a Celtic scholar’, combining in his teachings the poetic and the intellectual, the head as well as the heart, and spiritual awareness as well as political and ecological concern.

Cami Twilling, based in Colorado, is the Director of Earth & Soul (a Celtic initiative of study, spiritual practice and compassionate action inspired by the teachings of John Philip Newell). As well as heading up the overall work of Earth & Soul, she facilitates the spiritual practice component of the Earth & Soul Retreats. In addition to leading mountain and urban retreats, she has led international pilgrimage groups to Iona in the Western Isles of Scotland and work teams to Guatemala to build houses in communities that have suffered from political strife and economic hardship. Cami is passionate about the relationship between spirituality and action and believes that spiritual vision and practice can play a vital role in helping to heal and transform our lives both individually and together.

Choose Your Retreat Experience:

Day Pilgrim | Registration Deadline: October 1, 2026
$160 per person. Includes all sessions and meals.
Overnight | Shared Room | Registration Deadline: August 1, 2026
$260 per person. Two participants share a room. Includes lodging and meals.
Total cost per room: $520.
Overnight | Solo Room | Registration Deadline: August 1, 2026
Includes private lodging and meals. $430 per person.

The silent portions of the retreat will be gently held and facilitated by Alice Kunka, in partnership with Christ United Methodist Church.

Registration & Cancellation
Full payment is required at the time of registration.

Cancellations received on or before September 8 will receive a full refund, minus a $20 administrative fee. Because of commitments made to St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, we are unable to offer refunds after September 8.

Already registered? Complete your participant information form.
All retreat participants are asked to complete a brief form to help us prepare for your arrival. The form collects dietary preferences, emergency contact information, and lodging details.

[Complete Your Participant Information Form]

Please complete your form by May 15, 2026.

Need help with registration or payment?
If you would prefer to register by phone or need assistance with online payment, please call Christ United Methodist Church at 336-299-1571 and ask for Lynn Long. Registration can be completed by credit card over the phone or by check.

Price:

Price range: $160.00 through $430.00

Experience

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Scholarships: Cost will never be a barrier to participating in programs at Kinward— we honor 100% of scholarship requests. Contribute to the scholarship fund here.

2026 Winter

A Silent Retreat including a Morning with John Philip Newell and Cami Twilling

Make presence, practice, and purpose accessible to all.

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2026 Winter

A Silent Retreat including a Morning with John Philip Newell and Cami Twilling

Make presence, practice, and purpose accessible to all. ​

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