A Place of Grace envisions a world transformed by the extravagant grace of God, filled with wonder by the peace of Christ which passes all understanding, and healed by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and among and through God's people everywhere. Therefore, our mission is to nurture delight, facilitate healing, and inspire prayer in people of all ages and from all walks of life through creative spiritual practices. We offer sacred space for people to deepen their relationship with God and with one another. ALL are welcome. Retreats scheduled at Von Dell Gallery & Studios all day on Tuesdays: same practice all day -- different practice each week. A Place of Grace is offering-based.
Riverbend area locally, but A Place of Grace has also led retreats in Missouri, Indiana, New Mexico, Colorado, North Carolina, and Texas.
A Place of Grace is a spiritual retreat planning ministry for individuals, couples, small groups, businesses, organizations, and churches. I started this business/ministry after thirteen years in ministry with The United Presbyterian Church in Wood River because i have a passion for spiritual practices and helping people find wholeness in faith and creativity. In 2019, Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery commissioned me as pastor of A Place of Grace. In 2025, A Place of Grace moved under the PC(USA) 1001 New Worshiping Communities heading. I am also a Certified Zentangle Teacher, a Certified Reiki Master Practitioner, and an ICF-trained Coach. After working with Gary Conrad at Von Dell Gallery & Studios for nearly ten years, I accepted an invitation to open a studio for A Place of Grace at the gallery to make my ministry more accessible for people in the Riverbend area. A Place of Grace offers a variety of retreat options with multiple entry points for people to engage according to their own interests -- drawing, writing, music-making, movement, service, crafting -- and needs. Mission Madness and Mission Madness Workshop retreats offer opportunities to work with five local agencies to support their work in our community. I do all the scheduling, and we work together on the second and fourth Wednesday mornings of the month. We also craft together at LoveJoy United Presbyterian Church on the second Wednesday evening of the month to create gifts for the agencies to share with their clientele at Christmas. Artful Expressions of Grief retreats are offered the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the gallery in the afternoon in a six-retreat series over three months. Registrations and a materials fee are required. Boomwhacker Choir retreats take place on the fourth Wednesday evening of the month at the gallery where participants reflect on the lyrics of hymns of faith and learn to play them together using plastic tubes tuned to the notes on the scale. No previous musical experience required. Monthly Prayer Art Retreats take place at the gallery on the third Thursday evening at 6 p.m. Worship unfolds, art is created in response to prayer and scripture. Communion is served. If you can form the letters of the alphabet, you can tangle. Private pastoral care retreats available by appointment on Thursday afternoons. Every encounter with the holy is a unique experience. A Place of Grace creates the space for you to draw nearer. No matter who you are, or who you love, or how you live in this world, you are welcome in any and all of these spaces.
