Sacred Threads: A Retreat for Grief, Spirituality & Remembrance

July 24-26, 2026

with Cass Hale

Grief is one of the most universal human experiences, yet it is also one that many have to experience by themselves. As community becomes more difficult to access, we may not be able to process our grief or find a comfortable way to live with it.

Spirituality can offer us comfort and a place to express grief, honor the deceased, and begin the process of integration. Spirituality can be found in the Divine as well as nature, meditation, art, or relationships.

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This weekend, we will gather as a small community, using deep listening, compassion, and kindness as we attempt to hold one another’s grief. Most of our time will be spent creating Grief Cloths to honor those we have lost, as well as other personal losses. Meditation will also be part of our process.

We will stitch our Cloths – no experience needed – and add embellishments if you would like. If you are honoring a person you have lost with your Grief Cloth, you may want to bring small remembrances to attach to the Cloth. When the Cloths are finished, we will engage in a short ritual of hanging them outside on branches, like prayer flags. You will take your Grief Cloths home with you.

Program Highlights:

- Breathing and simple movementIntroduction to meditation
- Meditations with readings and prayer
- Discussions with readings and prayer
- Making Grief Clothes
- Ritual of placing our Grief Cloths in nature

Grief is one of the most universal human experiences.

Your Guide for the Journey

Cassandra (Cass) Hale

Cass considers herself a Christian Buddhist and sees many similarities in these two practices. The contemplative practice of meditation in Buddhism and the contemplative practice of Christianity has deepened her faith in God. She is an artist and poet and has an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art with a focus on book and paper from Columbia College. After retiring as a high school art instructor, she is now a full-time artist focusing on fabric art which include elements of healing using Milagros and prayer. As a Reiki Master her work is also infused with the energy of Reiki. Cassandra is an avid gardener and pianist. She is enrolled in the Spiritual Guidance Program at the Siena Retreat Center in Racine, Wisconsin. Cassandra and her husband Bill reside in Skokie, Illinois.