Greenfire was founded in 1990 by Constance Chandler-Ward, Rosanna Kazanjian, and Judith Carpenter; Episcopal priests committed to offering women of all ages and spiritual backgrounds a space where they could renew their lives through retreats, consultations and workshops. Alison Cheek and Adelaide Winstead also became an integral part of the Greenfire community. Greenfire was housed in a two hundred-year old farmhouse in Tenants Harbor, Maine. The core of Greenfire was to meet in circle. All offerings were based on the belief that a woman’s concerns can best be addressed within the ancient model of the women’s circle, where wisdom arises through deep listening and open conversation.

Over the seventeen years that Greenfire was in operation, thousands of women visited on retreat, and many women returned every year. The circle of Greenfire women were like a chalice, holding in confidence countless women’s stories; mirroring back to each woman their unique inner beauty and strengths. The Greenfire hospitality was legendary, and no one who visited Greenfire will ever forget the delicious dinners. The Wednesday meditation and potluck and Sunday morning service offered spiritual fellowship for both visiting and local women.

In the summer of 2007, after extended deliberation, the Greenfire Board regretfully decided to close the retreat center. A new board was formed, and the non-profit status was maintained.

Greenfire is evolving as an organization as the Board explores with ways to continue Greenfire. We are reaching out to the greater community, finding new ways to express the sacred in our lives, and to share the sense of being on a spiritual journey with others. We hold the circle as a basic model for our offerings. The Greenfire founders who live nearby are still part of the conversation team as well as other Greenfire offerings, and their wisdom continues to underlie our new beginnings.

The Greenfire Board
Angela Hassenpflug, Cate Monroe and Pam Swing