St. Francis of the Woods

St. Francis of the Woods Spiritual Renewal Center and contemplative community. All are welcome. St. Francis of Assisi believed that God's fingerprints were all over creation. The St.

In nature, he connected to the Divine Love that connects all things. Francis of the Woods seeks to be a place where all people from every spiritual background can seek the Love of their Creator, in solitude or community, in creation or in the ancient worship of the Church. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you are invited to journey with us. The Center reflects St. Francis's love

and respect for all creation. We are home to beautiful, moss covered walking trials meandering through woods of cedar, oak, and hickory. The walking trail has 14 benches along the way for rest and meditation. Stations of the Cross icons near the benches can be used for a guided mediation walk. Francis cares for 500 acres of diverse Oklahoma landscape. Near the Library, the grounds feature a prayer garden and duck pond. Francis of the Woods provides a place for study, meditation, rest, and inspiration. Francis Chapel and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom signify our roots with Orthodox Christianity. The chapel operates in accordance with the traditions of the early Church as reflected in Holy Scripture, Holy Tradition, and the writings of the Church Fathers. We host a variety of individuals and groups seeking the betterment of humanity through spirituality and the arts. There are six individual retreat dwellings ranging from cabins to lodges; all equipped with kitchens and amenities for overnight stays.The campus includes the Cimarron Heights Theological Library, the St. Francis Chapel, and the Learning Center - fully equipped with a kitchen and large meeting spaces.

I think God might be a little prejudiced.For once He asked me to join Him on a walkthrough this world,and we gazed into ...
06/09/2026

I think God might be a little prejudiced.
For once He asked me to join Him on a walk
through this world,
and we gazed into every heart on this earth,
and I noticed He lingered a bit longer
before any face that was
weeping,
and before any eyes that were
laughing.

And sometimes when we passed
a soul in worship
God too would kneel
down.
I have come to learn: God
adores His
creation.
~St Francis of Assisi
From ‘Love Poems From God‘ by Daniel Ladinsky.

I give myselfto the labyrinth,trusting that,eventually,the stones will lead meto the centerif I justlet it happen. ~ Agn...
06/03/2026

I give myself
to the labyrinth,
trusting that,
eventually,
the stones will lead me
to the center
if I just
let it happen.

~ Agnes Krampe

The HeartPaths Labyrinth was constructed in 2021 when HeartPaths became a part of St. Francis of the Woods. HeartPaths has been training spiritual directors since 1982. New cohorts begin every September. Applications close July 1. If you’re interested in applying visit heartpaths.org or the link in our bio

06/01/2026

“Beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror.” 🐍

Rainer Maria Rilke

Join us for Meditating with the Mystics, where Saint Isaac the Syrian dares to teach us that God's Love is so vast, so e...
05/30/2026

Join us for Meditating with the Mystics, where Saint Isaac the Syrian dares to teach us that God's Love is so vast, so eternal, so ingrained in the fabric of the Universe that everything else is just v***r.

📅 Saturday, June 20th · 10am–4pm
📍 St. Francis of the Woods - We'll begin in the Manse with tea and Turkish coffee.

We'll share a vegetarian potluck lunch.

Led by Bishop Aidan. All are welcome but registration is required. 🕊️

To register visit the link in our bio or: stfrancisofthewoods.org/signup

What a beautiful inspirational model for how human beings might live: In a shared economy based not on greed but on nurt...
05/30/2026

What a beautiful inspirational model for how human beings might live: In a shared economy based not on greed but on nurturing relationships and mutual cooperation.
Paul Stamets, Fantastic Fungi

giant puffball

We would love for you to join us this Sunday for Divine Liturgy at 10:45 in the St. Francis Chapel.The Divine Liturgy is...
05/29/2026

We would love for you to join us this Sunday for Divine Liturgy at 10:45 in the St. Francis Chapel.

The Divine Liturgy is an ancient celebration of resurrection, renewal, beauty, and communion. Prayed for at least 1600 years, it connects us to countless generations of mystics, saints, and ordinary people who have gathered in ages past longing for healing, meaning, and the presence of God.

When we enter the liturgy, we join a great communion that stretches across time and space: the saints and ancestors, the joyful and grieving, the faithful and doubtful, the wounded and hopeful. The full diversity of human experience is present with us.

At St. Francis of the Woods, we hold these ancient traditions with deep reverence, while also believing the table of God grows wider, not narrower. Here, ancient liturgy becomes a living invitation into radical compassion, belonging, and reconciliation with God, with one another, and with all creation. The Liturgy reminds us that we belong to something larger than ourselves: an unfolding communion of love that no generation, nation, ideology, or institution can contain or control.

Whether you are deeply rooted in faith, spiritually searching, carrying doubts, recovering from religious wounds, or simply longing for beauty and stillness, you are welcome here.

As beings of body/mind/and spirit we often honor our mind’s intuitions and thoughts as well as our feelings in order to ...
05/28/2026

As beings of body/mind/and spirit we often honor our mind’s intuitions and thoughts as well as our feelings in order to aid the process of discernment and theological reflection. However, do we listen to our bodies metaphoric wisdom as well?

In this workshop Dr. Gardenhire will present a methodology of listening to the metaphors of our body. Based on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Eugene Gendlin and the subsequent expansion of application by Patricia Killen and John DeBeer the group will practice how to apply focusing as an enhancer of spiritual direction and discernment.

The workshop will be held on Saturday June 6th from 9am to 4pm at St.Francis in the Woods Retreat Center. There is no preparation needed. Participants will receive a packet of introductional materials and bibliography on how to expand your expertise. Bring a sack lunch and snacks to share.

The Rev. Dr. Bob Gardenhire III minister, trained therapist, spiritual director and trainer of spiritual directors is the Founding Director of the HeartPaths Training Program in Spiritual Direction in Oklahoma and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Register at: stfrancisofthewoods.org/signup

On Saturday we celebrated the graduation of these six new Spiritual Directors. Over these three years, they have practic...
05/26/2026

On Saturday we celebrated the graduation of these six new Spiritual Directors. Over these three years, they have practiced contemplation, discernment, deep listening, and the sacred work of accompanying others on the spiritual path. We are grateful for the wisdom, courage, and compassion they bring into the world.

Since 1982, HeartPaths has helped clergy and laity deepen their awareness of God through contemplative practice, reflection, and spiritual formation. If you feel drawn toward deeper spiritual growth, retreat leadership, or the work of spiritual direction, applications are now open for our next cohort beginning this September.

The journey begins with your own transformation.
Learn more or apply at HeartPaths.org

What if the last word of the universe is Love?Join us for Meditating with the Mystics, where Saint Isaac the Syrian dare...
05/25/2026

What if the last word of the universe is Love?

Join us for Meditating with the Mystics, where Saint Isaac the Syrian dares to teach us that all sin is but a handful of sand thrown into the ocean compared to the boundless gulf of God's Love.

📅 Saturday, June 20th · 10am–4pm
📍 St. Francis of the Woods - We'll begin in the Manse with tea and Turkish coffee.

We'll share a vegetarian potluck lunch.

Led by Bishop Aidan. All are welcome but registration is required. 🕊️

To register visit the link in our bio or: stfrancisofthewoods.org/signup

Address

Coyle, OK
73027

Telephone

+14054663774

Website

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