Sophfronia Scott

The Sacred Art of Writing Residency, Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI
2026-04-29 - 2026-04-30 | NY
Purpose: This Doctor of Ministry track will invite both established and emerging writers in multiple genres and contexts (those in traditional ministry and those whose work and writing moves them into broader arenas of service) to think deeply, theologically, and artfully about their work. As people whose very life arrives from the Word, Christians ought to be those with the deepest reverence for language. Yet, too often our writing is stilted, banal, cliched, moralistic and bereft of the beauty and care our craft requires. If we are dealing with holy work simultaneously immersed in gritty humanity and divine transcendence, then our writing ought to carry a haunting lilt while piercing the heart and the mind. The Sacred Art of Writing aims to walk with students into this joyful, sacred calling.
Sophfronia will be a guest lecturer at this residency.

Chautauqua Catholic Community Seminar, Chautauqua, NY
2026-07-10 12:45 - 14:00 (America/New_York)

Wabash Creative Writing Roundtable, The Inn at Willow Grove, Orange, VA
2026-07-19 - 2026-07-24

Alma College Summer 2026 Residency, Alma, MI
2026-08-06 - 2026-08-15
As director of Alma’s MFA program, Sophfronia is pleased to announce its summer 2026 residency. Residency is the heart of the MFA experience. Students, faculty, visiting writers, and guest speakers from the publishing industry come together to form a diverse and dynamic artistic community teeming with the energy of a shared commitment to writing. Visiting writers will join the residency with craft talks, informal talks for students and public readings in the evening.

Thomas Merton Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage, Iona, Scotland
2026-09-11 - 2026-09-20
You are invited to travel to the Isle of Iona to immerse yourself in a conversation between Thomas Merton, Celtic spirituality, and the Imagination; to pay attention to the ways these wisdom voices invite us to grow more fully into living with greater mercy, courage and action toward all people and ourselves.
Download a brochure for more information.

A Circle of Quiet, Madeleine L'Engle Writing Retreat, DeWitt, MI
2026-10-02 - 2026-10-04
A retreat co-led by Sarah Arthur and Sophfronia Scott at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt, Michigan.
What to expect:

A lovely mix of large group plenaries, smaller cohorts, and optional morning/evening prayer, interspersed with creativity prompts and long stretches of solo writing for an enriching and generative experience.

Come with a project you’re already working on, or see where our curated writing prompts take you!

L’Engle Writing Retreats are open to anyone in any stage of their writing journey.

As a bonus, all registrants will receive links to the recorded sessions afterwards along with access to all digital materials (handouts, prompts, etc.). So even if you can’t attend in real time, you’ll have the chance to enjoy your own retreat later.

Thomas Merton Lecture in Spirituality, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN
2026-11-10 19:00 - 20:00
Sophfronia will be on campus to deliver the lecture on the evening of November 10, 2026.

Alma MFA Winter 2027 Residency, Venice, Italy
2027-01-06 - 2027-01-16
