In Memoriam of our Leader, Friend, and Partner in Ministry…
Friends and family of Spirit In The Desert Retreat Center,
It is with tremendous sadness we share the news that the Reverend Richard E. Andersen, Spirit In The Desert’s Executive Director, passed away on Sunday, June 2, surrounded by friends and family. Richard suffered an acute medical episode several days previous to June 2, and never regained consciousness.
Richard joined Spirit in the fall of 2015 following a national search. He brought an amazing set of experiences and skills to the role including pastoral roles with three Lutheran congregations, his work with the ARC retreat community in Minnesota, management experience with several successful restaurants, and multiple roles leading development and philanthropic efforts. All these skills and experiences were packaged in an individual with boundless energy, unbridled enthusiasm, tremendous gifts for spiritual leadership, and with a passion to be a friend to all. He was to put it simply, the embodiment of the perfect person for the role. Under his leadership, we successfully magnified the mission of Spirit in the Desert to be a holy place where people experience hospitality and renew their calling in the world. He will be sorely missed.
We are blessed with a leadership team and committed staff who are able to continue retreat operations without disruption. We are thankful for their perseverance during this trying and sad time. Richard’s service to the retreat center that so captivated and energized him over the past three years, is now a legacy of hope for Spirit’s future.
In faithful service,
The Board of Directors
Spirit In The Desert Retreat Center
Celebration of Life Services in Loving Memory of Richard Andersen:
ARIZONA: June 21, 2019 at 3:00 pm ~ Ascension Lutheran Church ~ 7100 N Mockingbird Lane ~ Paradise Valley
MINNESOTA: August 3, 2019 at 11:00 am ~ Central Lutheran Church ~ 333 S 12th Street ~ Minneapolis
Spirit in the Desert … a Place for All People
Sandy Howlett Shares
“Healing of Memories”
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Have a Closer Look at Spirit in the Desert
Learn More About Us
Spirit in the Desert is a peaceful retreat center set among the striking Sonoran desert landscape. View our well-equipped facility and learn about our mission and vision for the future.
Worship with Us
The Spirit in the Desert offers more than space for retreats … come and enjoy our Guided Meditations, listen to the Touchpoints and learn more about our weekly Worship Sessions.
Plan Your Stay
Whether you come for the day, are planning a personal retreat, or considering an overnight stay, here’s the information you’ll need to plan your next visit.
Take a Tour of Spirit in the Desert
Follow Us on Social Media
- Sometimes we need to take a break from our harried lives, to refocus on God and to renew our soul.
Getting away into nature, whether it's for a few hours, a day or a weekend, can restore and refresh us. ... -
- "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
Galatians 5: 22 - Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center Sandi Howlett is a lead facilitator for the Healing of Memories Workshops we hold here at the center. She shares a bit on the renewal, healing and transformation that happens for those who come to these workshops, and what is ...
- Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center Sandi Howlett is a lead facilitator for the Healing of Memories Workshops we hold here at the center. She shares a bit on the renewal, healing and transformation that happens for those who come to these workshops, and what is ...
- Healing Testimonial at Spirit in the Desert Sandi Howlett is a lead facilitator for the Healing of Memories Workshops we hold here at the center. She shares a bit on the renewal, healing and transformation that happens for those who come to these workshops, and what is ...
- Javelinas wander through our grounds on occasion. The little ones never stray far from their parents and their cries envelop the herd.
They cry to be noticed.
They cry when they are hungry.
They cry to say, "Here I am. ... - Photos from Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center's post Spirit in the Desert campus is coming alive with new blooms and gorgeous color! Come on up for a walk on the Labyrinth, Islands of Silence Meditation Path, or the Campbell Prayer Walk ... the beauty of God's creation is ...
- And so Holy Week begins - with a humble steed.
How are we entering Holy Week?
With humility?
With hope?
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For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is ... - We love being in the desert! Come visit us and explore the beauty of God's creation!
- Family Reunion Planning Checklist Spirit in the Desert hosts many family reunions. Are you thinking of having one in the future? Is it your turn to find a location and do the planning? Here is a great check list to ensure a successful time ...
- We weep with our Muslim brothers and sisters in Christchurch, NZ, who are grieving. We pray for comfort and strength to fill them, and love to surround them.
We pray for the first responders who ran to their aid.
We ... - Silence is not only good for the soul, but important for our brain health.
Being with God in silence restores, refreshes, and transforms us. - Merry Christmas from Spirit of the Desert Retreat Center!
"Joy to the World!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOwa0CWVVQ
What is your favorite Christmas song or favorite version of a well-known carol? Please share in the comments.
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For daily devotions by Pastor ... - Meditation and Music
On this 4th Sunday of Advent we light the Love candle. We think of the baby that brought the gift of eternal love to humankind from his heavenly father.
We also remember Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, who ... - Meditation & Music
The candle that we light on the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, is the candle of Joy or the Shepherd’s candle. This is often a pink candle, with the others usually being purple, the color of ... - Meditation & Music
On this second Sunday of Advent we light the Bethlehem Candle – the candle of Peace. (In some traditions it is the candle of Faith.)
Today we read passages about John the Baptist and his call to ... - Meditation & Music
On this first Sunday of Advent we light the Prophet’s Candle – the candle of Hope. Advent is a season of waiting: expectant waiting, hopeful waiting.
Waiting for Christ. Waiting with hope.
At Spirit in the Desert ... - Meditation Monday
Sometimes it is easier to express our gratitude in community. Hearing others speak their words of thankfulness sparks the realization of our own blessings and lights up a spirit of gratefulness in us. This could happen as we ... - Every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m., a growing contingent of worshippers meet to give thanks and receive communion at Spirit in the Desert. We are thankful for our lives, our health, our faith, our chance to serve, our good fortune, our ...
- If you are anywhere in the Minneapolis Area on September 27 2018, we invite you to join us for a wonderful evening of fellowship, good food, worship and inspiration!
- Photos from Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center's post On June 4, Spirit in the Desert's Wings North Team hosted a celebration dinner and auction. We had a wonderful time at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Roseville! 70 folks came, enjoyed the appetizers, wine and meal, and supported the ...
- Richard Andersen, our Executive Director, leads an Abundant Aging Class for any church/group that would like to host it. He will be in Tucson, AZ, July 14+15, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. See the attached picture and email us right ...
- Photos from Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center's post Spirit in the Desert and Foothills Caring Corp love to work together for our community! They park their vans in our back parking lot and the new "Patti Wagon" - a beautiful van with a heavy-duty lift for motorized wheelchairs ...
- Photos from Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center's post Supporting Veterans is a huge part of our ministry here at Spirit in the Desert! We offer the Healing of Memories Workshop for vets and 1st responders. The Founder of the Institute for Healing of Memories, Fr. Michael Lapsley, was ...
- Photos from Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center's post Last night Spirit in the Desert was honored to have Fr. Michael Lapsley, the founder of the Institute for Healing of Memories, speak to a group of 50 people from around the valley, Prescott, and Sedona. Fr. Michael shared his ...
- Photos from Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center's post A busy Monday at Spirit. We have a wonderful new group coming in, and of course, the 4-legged locals had to show up to check out the newcomers and make sure they were OK! The javelina also managed to chomp ...
We Are Blessed by Our Community
We are forever thankful to our local business partners
and to those in our local community who give of their time.
Read Daily Devotions
Steve Holm, a retired pastor living in Tempe, provides daily meditations for Spirit’s website. Steve served at Desert Cross Lutheran Church, Tempe, for 22 years. In the past he has provided meditations for Advent and Lenten illustrated devotional booklets. Now, we’re thankful that he’s providing these short devotions for visitors to the website.
… Read today’s and past devotions
Worship With Us
Every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m., Spirit in the Desert provides a mid-week oasis of meditation and Holy Communion for anyone on the campus of Spirit in the Desert and for people in the surrounding community. Each week a short homily — or Touchpoint — based on a Biblical story, is presented by Spirit in the Desert Faith Mentor, Jim Hanson.
… Learn more about “Touchpoints”
Virtual Bookstore
The Virtual Book Store is a resource for people on retreat, as well as for others from the local community — a book pantry of nourishing food for spirit and soul! Every month, we will suggest some “books and a few items” that retreat leaders, friends of Spirit in the Desert, etc., have suggested.
… Check out our favorite titles
Show Your Support
Your financial support is crucial to Spirit in the Desert’s future. Each year over 4,000 guests and local community residents find renewal, reconciliation, healing and transformation through the ministry of Spirit in the Desert. We depend on the generosity of individuals and groups and value every gift, regardless of size, all of which are tax-deductible.
… There are many ways to give
What Our Retreat Participants Say About Their Experience
My wife and I were guests at Spirit along with our family reunion. We want to express our compliments to the facility and our gratitude to the staff who were wonderful. All could not have been more pleasant, friendly, fun and at time, peaceful! It was the very best family Christmas ever.
I am so very appreciative of every thing that was done by the staff at Spirit to make our workshop session the best it could be. It was so apparent that “small miracles” were happening as the morning unfolded and, once again, I’m reminded that we are here to work God’s plan and not our own agenda. For all that Spirit did to make those miracles happen, I am grateful!
To all the Spirit Staff … front desk, housekeeping, kitchen, yard, program planning—however you define your role, you are all truly God’s servants in your ministry to all visitors … The Spirit of our God roams these buildings and landscape—you are blessed to work here and we are blessed when we come.