Kintsugi of the Soul: Embracing the Beauty in Our Brokenness with Rev. Deacon Laurie Michaels

This half-day retreat draws on kintsugi—the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gold—as a metaphor for healing and God’s restoration. Kintsugi reminds us that brokenness is not the end, that healing is slow and intentional, and that what is repaired can become newly radiant.

The longing for wholeness lives in each of us, yet we discover that brokenness and beauty are often woven together on the path toward healing. As spiritual directors, we are invited to tend our own wounded places so we can listen with authenticity and hold sacred space for the stories of others. How do we care for our own fragile places? How do we reverently companion the suffering entrusted to us in ministry?

These questions will guide our time through Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, personal reflection, and small-group conversation.

The Rev. Deacon Laurie Michaels was ordained as a vocational deacon in the Diocese of Chicago in 2010. After serving for nine years on the clergy staff at St. Michael’s in Barrington, she joined the clergy staff at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Park Ridge in 2020, where she continues to serve.In addition to parish liturgical and preaching roles, Deacon Laurie’s work has included hospital chaplaincy at Stroger Cook County Hospital with Bishop Anderson House, mission trips to Haiti and Sudan, food ministries, and pastoral care.Laurie is a Certified Spiritual Director through the Christos Center in Wheaton and maintains a small spiritual direction practice. Laurie’s spirituality is rooted in the Anglican tradition and shaped by Celtic spirituality, with a deep attentiveness to the ways God’s grace is revealed through brokenness, beauty, and the natural world. She is also an experienced retreat facilitator. Retreats have ranged from half day to weekend length gatherings. Prior to ordination, Laurie worked for 30 years as a registered nurse in hospital, clinical, and school settings.Laurie and her husband, Greg, live in Palatine with their golden retriever, Darcy. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.

Details:

When:     Thursday, April 16, 2026

Time:     9:00 am Gathering/Continental Breakfast

                9:30 am Program Begins

                12:30 pm Program Concludes

This event will be in person only.  Spiritual Directors, ministers, educators, therapists and those interested in this topic are welcome!  

Registration is open, click here

Step 1: Registration

Registration and payment are separate steps.  You are not fully registered until you complete them both.  To begin the process, please complete the online Registration Form and make sure to press SUBMIT.

Step 2:  Payment

Payment is required at the time of registration.  Upon completion of your registration form (Step 1, above), the next step is to make your payment.  The fee for this event is $50 if paid by April 10th and $60 after or at the door.  

Payment methods accepted are:

1.  Zelle: (No extra fees) Use CASD email:  chicagoareaspiritualdirectors@gmail.com
2. PayPal:  (processing fee applies)  Online Payment via Pay Pal
3. Pay by Check: Make your check out to CASD and mail to: Lori Dressel, 6033 N. Sheridan Road, 45d, Chicago, IL 60660
4. Pay at the Door ($60)

More Information

There are a limited number of scholarships available. Contact Lori Dressel at lorijdressel@gmail.com or (630)209-3224

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