Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center

09/10/2026

DID YOU KNOW?

More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults lives with a mental illness.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health

And many more are carrying grief, loneliness, stress, burnout, addiction recovery, or simply a difficult season of life.

Sometimes we need a place to step away. To breathe. To be quiet. To walk, pray, reflect and rest.

For 33 years, Spirit in the Desert has been a place where people can do just that. A place of hospitality, healing, renewal and hope. 🌵

09/09/2026

Tune in TODAY to CW7 Arizona, Channel 7, at 9:00 a.m. for The Daily Mix!

We’ll be on to promote Dancing with the Desert Stars, happening at Spirit in the Desert on Saturday, September 19, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

We’re excited to help spread the word about this special evening supporting nonprofits in our Carefree-Cave Creek community!

You can still get your ticket at ScullyLearningCenter.com

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09/07/2026

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands.”
Psalm 90:17

On this Labor Day, we give thanks for the work of our hands, hearts, and minds, and for all whose labor strengthens our families, churches, communities, and world.

We also give thanks for the gift of rest, for quiet moments that renew us, restore us, and remind us that our worth is found in more than what we accomplish.

May your Labor Day bring both gratitude for meaningful work and time for renewal.

Blessings from all of us at Spirit in the Desert. 🌵🙏

09/04/2026

Still time to get your tickets for this wonderful fundraiser benefiting four nonprofits in the Carefree/Cave Creek community!
We’re excited to host the event at Spirit in the Desert and proud, after 33 years in this community, to stand alongside other nonprofits doing such important work. Come support a great cause and enjoy an evening at Spirit!

An unforgettable night with an unforgettable purpose.

Watch your favorite local personalities compete on the dance floor.
Vote for the coveted People's Choice Award.

Enjoy delicious food, cocktails, live music by Wh***ey Lizard, auctions, line dancing, and an incredible evening with friends.

Most importantly...
You'll be helping seniors, families, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and neighbors throughout the Desert Foothills.

Dancing with the Desert Stars
📅 Saturday, September 19
📍 Spirit in the Desert
🎟️ Get your tickets today:
https://scullylearningcenter.com/

Because when our community comes together... everyone wins.

09/03/2026

We were thrilled to welcome Bishop Deborah Hutterer and the Grand Canyon Synod Office of the Bishop to Spirit in the Desert for their recent planning retreat!

Spirit was founded in the Lutheran tradition as a place where pastors, ministry leaders and others could step away for renewal, reflection and restoration. We are grateful to continue honoring those roots while welcoming people of many backgrounds who come here to think, plan, connect and listen for God’s leading.

And a retreat at Spirit can include a little fun too! Chef Karl and Anna treated the group to a special cooking class during their stay. 😊

What a joy to see Spirit doing exactly what it was created to do: providing a place for renewal, meaningful conversation and preparation for the work ahead. 🌵

09/02/2026

Come hungry! 😋
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Spirit in the Desert are about so much more than simply feeding our guests.
Here’s just one little taste of the amazing variety our kitchen team puts out each day. Fresh, colorful, delicious and made with care.
Good food. Good fellowship. Another part of the Spirit experience. 🌵

09/01/2026

🌵 2 OCTOBER WEEKENDS JUST OPENED UP!

October is one of the most beautiful times to be at Spirit in the Desert, and we’ve just had both the first and last weekends of October become available!

If your church, nonprofit, leadership team, women’s or men’s group, or other organization could use a last-minute retreat, we’d love to welcome you.

Or come on your own! If you’ve been craving a few quiet days in the desert to rest, reflect and renew, this is a wonderful opportunity.

And because these prime October weekends opened up at the last minute, we’re offering a special rate for both groups and individuals.

Come spend an October weekend in beautiful Carefree. 🌵☀️

📞 Call Denise at 480-488-5218
📧 Email [email protected] to learn more.

08/29/2026

One of the perks of my job is getting to meet the many different groups that come to Spirit in the Desert. I’m continually fascinated by who they are, what brings them together, and the work they are doing in the world.

Yesterday was a perfect example. We welcomed a women’s group from a local church, along with the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona’s Council for Native American Ministry.

I wish I could have slipped into their program for a while! Their work of bringing Indigenous and non-Native people together around remembrance, recognition, reconciliation, relationship, and reparations is so interesting and important.

This is one of the things I love about Spirit. On any given day, people with very different stories and missions gather here to connect, learn, reflect, and renew.

We’re privileged to provide the space where those conversations can happen.

08/28/2026

Sometimes it’s the little changes that make a big impact. ☕️

In just half a day, we gave our coffee area a little refresh. Now our guests have a much more inviting place to grab their morning coffee and start the day.

A simple change. A big difference.
Before ➡️ After