Wild Guides at retreat house
wild week 2026: April 19-25
Our Wild Guides are caring companions for the journey—people who love the outdoors and believe that time in nature can shape us from the inside out. Throughout Wild Week, they will lead gentle, welcoming experiences designed for all comfort levels: mindful walks, simple observation practices, shared silence, and space for conversation and prayer.
Each guide brings a deep passion for growing in three directions at once: with self, with the Sacred, and with neighbor. They’ll help you notice what’s right in front of you, listen for the mystery in creation, and practice gratitude and curiosity together. More than “experts,” Wild Guides are fellow learners—ready to encourage, support, and invite everyone into a week of wonder, reflection, and connection.
Gretchen Martens - Author, Teacher, Buddhist, Shaman
Wild Invitation
Drawing on my early years as an archaeologist, I describe myself as an archaeologist of the Soul—tending inner and outer landscapes at the intersection of story, place, and becoming. I love accompanying women at thresholds—those moments of rupture, reckoning, and renewal—supporting them in reclaiming their Sovereign Self by giving voice to their deepest stories from a place of authenticity and personal power. My work roots itself in wild spaces and contemplative practices that reconnect us to the culture of place, the wisdom of the natural world, and the ancient origins of our shared humanity.
Wild Creds
Gretchen has completed advanced certifications as a shamanic healer, an ancient and innately human way of knowing the world and healing Self and Soul. This builds on her 2022 certification in eco-ministry with Seminary of the Wild and two decades of work as an ontological coach. She plans a summer 2026 launch of the Wild Canopy, a community for healing, exploration, and growing consciousness in the emerging tradition of wholistic spirituality.
Rev. dr. lil smith, dasd - spiritual guide, permaculture enthusiast, wild gardener, wild grandmother
Wild Invitation:
As a forever-student of spiritual companionship, gardening, and permaculture, Lil notices a connection (or disconnection) with the ways we tend our relationships with God, self, and neighbor. She enjoy connecting with nature in the wild garden, as a wild grandmother, and leading others to this practice of noticing, discovery, healing, and new growth. Jesus often went to the garden to pray.
Wild Creds:
Lil is a retired minister in the PCUSA, a trained spiritual director and supervisor. She incorporates the wild invitations in nature and body movement in her teaching and compassionate listening for a deeper sense of self love and welcome to the realness of being human. Lil has a certificate in permaculture design, gardens on a regular basis and often invites dialogue with nature and spirit animals.
karen hoffman - morning altars guide, wise aging facilitator, words that matter creator
Wild Invitation:
As a lifelong learner, Karen is passionate about nature as a primary teacher, no matter someone's age, stage or background. Combining her passions for creative expression, compassionate listening, writing and playing with nature. Each offering Karen leads oozes passion for deep inner connection and joy in the journey.
Wild Creds:
Karen participated in a year-long certification program to become a Certified Morning Altars Teacher, a seven-step practice that combines Ritual, Nature and Creativity. Karen is a published author and creator of the trademark Words that Matter® inspirational cards and associated workshops, helping people of all ages explore and live by values that matter most. In addition, Karen is a trained facilitator for the Institute for Jewish Spirituality's Wise Aging program, offering classes in aging with joy and resilience as well as Faith & Grief as a grief group facilitator. Karen is affiliated with Congregation Beth Torah, a Jewish synagogue in Richardson, Texas and has over 40 years of experience working in the nonprofit world, with a special passion for aging and grief work. Karen is a past member of the Retreat House Board and is currently a Covenant Partner and active participant and facilitator in RH programs.
rev. dr. clay brantley - wild mustang, wild guide
Wild Invitation:
For the last few years, Clay has been living out of an invitation to be a Wild Mustang. This includes an experience of deep holiness and deep grief at the White Place in Abiquiu, New Mexico when he placed his hands upon the white walls. The land calls and the wild invites into both holiness and grief. Out of many experiences and his time at the Seminary of the Wild, Clay is responding to the call to be Elder and to invite others into their own Wild Journeys. Clay had lived a pretty tame, safe, domesticated life but the wild within and around would not be quiet. Clay was called to let the wild live in the ways of edge-walking, grief-holding, and soul-dancing.
Wild Creds:
Clay has several degrees but most recently is a graduate of the Seminary of the Wild with two Wild Ordinations. He is a spiritual director and a wild guide, helping people to move towards becoming undomesticated, to listen more deeply to the whispering of the soul, and to lean into life with energy and purpose, all of this through a deep connection with the Earth.nnection and joy in the journey.
Tammy minuti - Spiritual Director, co-spiritual direction, ANFT Certified Forest Bathing Guide, (She/Her)
Wild Invitation:
“…take a good look at yourself on the inside…you have heaven and earth, and all creation. You are a world, and everything is hidden you.”
~St. Hildegard Von Bingen
Tammy loves to be on the land and share Forest Bathing, compassionate listening, and Labyrinth walking where ever she goes.
Wild Creds:
Tammy is an Association of Nature and Forest Therapy certified guide. https://www.anft.earth/
A trained spiritual director through the SMU Perkins School of Theology program in Dallas.
And a covenant partner of Retreat House.
Lavanga Schlette - holistic healer, intuitive, yogi, death doula
Wild Invitation:
For Lavanga, practicing wildly means re-connecting to that which we already are, but have forgotten. By tuning into the rhythms of the natural world, we can step into spaces where we can uncover and recognize this original self.
Wild Creds:
Lavanga is Texas native and lifelong seeker of holistic healing. From exploring vegetarianism and yoga as a teen to professionally reading tarot since 1987, her journey has been one of deep spiritual connection. Over the decades, she has mastered Reiki, massage therapy, Ayurveda, Astrology, aromatherapy, and Vedic wisdom traditions, becoming a practicing priestess and interfaith leader.
Most recently, Lavanga finished death doula training through Going with Grace - another arena where, Lavanga blends 35+ years of experience in healing arts, ancient wisdom, and intuitive guidance.
Dr. shazia anwar - degree in Islamic Sciences, with special interest in Islamic Psychology and Counseling, Licensed behavioral coach and Educator
Wild invitation:
One of the most enriching parts of my wild journey has been exploring different cultures, ethnicities, and faiths. This includes traveling to experience how people live their lives and learn about their culture and heritage.
It is fascinating to me how deeply the people of the past connected with nature. They were so much more knowledgeable about the universe and skilled in living than people of our current times.
My hope through the Retreat House wild invitation is to reconnect with the creation in a way that we experience life as nature intended.
Wild Creds:
I am a physician, researcher, hold a degree in Islamic sciences, author, educator, student of knowledge , behavior coach. I enjoy healthy cooking, gardening , singing and yoga.
My teaching and coaching style is predominantly based in connecting people with nature, within and around. Where there is room for everyone to grow and flourish. See you at the wild week!
REv. ruth winkler - wild baker, wild storyteller
Wild invitation:
‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’
Ruth finds bread making an important part of her spiritual disciplines. Bread takes time. The process cannot be hurried. One must wait. What do we do while we wait? What are we waiting for? The Yeast does it work in the flour thoroughly filling it. The Holy Spirit does its work filling us. Flour symbolizes sustenance and God’s provision. We depend on it for our daily bread. Breadmaking symbolizes transformation and we are transformed through connecting with God. When the bread is done, that smell and taste is just a bit of heaven!
Wild Creds:
Ruth is a retired minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is a Trainer and Storyteller for the “Children Worship, Wonder and Welcome” program of Disciples Home Missions and is a Mentor for the “Education for Ministry” Program from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.
REv. sherry ward
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REv. elise renee neal
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Sandy Hammond
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autumn collins
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All questions can be address to one of the Wild Guides on your Wild Week Planning Team:
Shazia Anwar
Clay Brantley
Gavin Cogburn
Karen Hoffman
Regina Hunt
Gretchen Martens
Tammy Minuti
Lavanga Schlette
Lil Smith
