Invite Carl McColman to Your Community

An artful retreat leader, Carl guided us beautifully on a journey into the depths of our souls by way of storytelling, contemplative prayer and silence. Novices and experts alike walked away fully enriched and whole by resting in God and basking in the communal love Carl brought to this gathering.

— Bryna Bozart & Linda Flynn, Charlotte
Spirituality Center, Charlotte, NC

Carl McColman loves to share his passion for contemplative practice, interfaith dialogue, and other dimensions of spiritual wisdom with groups and communities of all sizes and shapes: young or old, clergy or lay, religious or secular, ecumenical or interspiritual. He enjoys connecting with local or regional gatherings of churches or other faith communities, and is comfortable working in seminary or other academic settings as well as experiential or retreat circles.

Carl brings enthusiasm, a down-to-earth teaching style, and an appealing balance of playfulness and reverence to his presentations. He particularly enjoys opportunities to engage in dialogue with those who attend his presentations. His goal is to create a meaningful and safe space where each person present can tend to the nurture of his or her own soul. Whenever possible, Carl incorporates prayer and attentive silence into his presentations as a way of anchoring the words he speaks in an authentic and practical spirituality.

Here is a partial list of topics Carl enjoys sharing with communities like yours:

• Writing and Journal Keeping as a Spiritual Practice
• The Wisdom of the Christian Mystics
• Introduction to Monastic Spirituality
• Benedictine
• Cistercian
• Neomonastic
• Developing a Daily Prayer Practice
• Contemplative Prayer and Meditation
• Lectio Divina
• The Divine Office
• Contemplative Spirituality and Interfaith Dialogue
• The Wisdom Teachings of One or More Specific Authors:
• The Desert Fathers and Mothers
• Julian of Norwich
• The Cloud of Unknowing
• Evelyn Underhill
• C. S. Lewis
• Many other possibilities!

Where appropriate, Carl is honored to offer homilies to faith communities, sharing how contemplative spirituality relates both to the scriptural lessons of the day — and to the challenges of everyday life.

In the metro Atlanta area, Carl is available for events as brief as one hour. He is also willing to travel and present to communities anywhere in the world. Consistent with his commitment to the teachings of Saint Benedict, Carl’s travel requirements are modest and his honorarium needs are reasonable and negotiable.

Carl was well received by his audience here in Portland, OR. He demonstrated a broad depth of knowledge of his subject matter which he presents with high energy, scholarship, and good humor in an accessible format. He is attentive and personable with a willingness to spend time in one on one and group conversation in addition to his formal presentations. I heartily recommend him.

— The Reverend Charles Cooper, Institute for
Progressive Spirituality, Portland, OR

If you would like Carl to visit your community, please contact him using this form. Thank you.