Rev. Dr. Stephen Simmons

The desert has always instilled a fascination in those of Jewish and Christian faith as a place where one struggles with demons — both internal and external — and meets angels … and God! From Moses to Jesus, to the early desert fathers and mothers, to contemporary “desert saints” like Carlo Carretto and Charles De Foucauld, people have ventured (or been pushed) into the wilderness to deepen, expand and simplify their faith. To some, such pilgrims are cranks and fanatics; to others, they are exemplars of holy living.

Join Rev. Dr. Stephen Simmons for a special October Twilight Retreat, as we explore the writings of such desert pilgrims and discuss the lessons they can teach us about encountering God in new ways and creating an interior space for prayer and discernment in our own complex and stressful times.

Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Stephen Simmons

Registration Details: This program will be conducted in person at St. Francis Center for Renewal and online via Zoom. Registration is $30 for in-person attendance or $20 for Zoom attendance. If you would prefer to register by phone, please call St. Francis Center for Renewal at 610-867-8890.

About the Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Stephen Simmons is a retired professor of theology, ethics, and community ministry at Moravian Theological Seminary, having taught and directed the continuing education program there from 2001 until 2017. An ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church USA, he has served congregations in Oregon, Illinois and Pennsylvania. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary and an AB and PhD from the University of Chicago. In retirement, he continues to serve as an editor for the International Journal of Practical Theology, and is a parish associate at First Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem, Pa.