The Center for Spiritual Formation
Affiliated with the United Methodist Church in the Susquehanna Valley
• What happens when your world stops, when you can't see the future?
• What happens when pain finds you and it feels like there is no way out?
• How can you break through the brokenness you are experiencing to find healing?
There is a path forward. God has provided a path. Join us as we explore a pathway from pain and brokenness to healing.
Create! is a time of reflection and creative expression that emerges when we become still and know God (Ps. 46:10).
On this day before winter finally gives way to spring, we celebrate the gift of life and newness; of growth and rebirth. As we gather for the first time, we will take time to notice and celebrate the wondrous signs of new life bursting forth among and around us.
Learning Focus: Together we will explore death in the work of spiritual direction with an emphasis on grief and lament as both the spiritual director and directee. Led by host Rev. Laura Baber and special guests, this series features the lament of the spiritual director and grieving our work. Each session incorporates prayer, reflection, dedicated teaching, and connection in shared community as we gather weekly throughout this impacting series.
Rev. Laura Baber will lead this gentle time of New Year’s Eve reflection. Participants will experience guided prayer and inspirations on the year behind us and preparation for the year ahead. This will be a contemplative prayer experience with options for creative expression, silence, or sharing. No registration is necessary. Simply save this Zoom link (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89932019703 Meeting ID: 899 3201 9703) and mark your calendars (Friday, December 31, 9 am to Noon.)
Hosted by St. Mark’s United Methodist Church and the Center for Spiritual Formation. There is no registration fee, but donations are invited to be made to either organization.
Join us for the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Bring your own chairs. Restrooms will not be available.
Walking labyrinths is an ancient prayer and meditation practice. For Christians, the posture of giving oneself prayerfully to a labyrinth walk invites and evokes closeness to the Holy in a full body experience. Often entering a labyrinth replicates being on a pilgrimage. In fact, labyrinths were built inside churches, or on church properties, for such a purpose: to offer a mini-pilgrimage experience when one could not avail them self to travel or go on an extended pilgrimage. But what if someone does not have access to a prayer labyrinth… perhaps they them self might be the labyrinth?
Session III Grieving with the Grieving with special guest Deborah Heisley-Cato, retired Lead Pastor, Fishing Creek Salem UMC, Etters, PA. As faith leaders, each of us are experiencing layers of lament as we grieve our own losses throughout the pandemic. We will consider the sacred space that is essential to being with others in their own grief, while carrying our own, and knowing God’s reservoir of living water. Ashleigh Gonzalez will provide spiritual companioning.
Session II Leading in the Unknown with special guest Jim Van Zandt, retired Lead Pastor, Carlisle UMC, Carlisle, PA. What does it mean to seek God’s holy wisdom and direction in those uncertain places faith leaders are navigating in the unpredictable and enduring COVID-19 experience? We will consider how faith leaders move forward with confidence where there is limited visibility and forecasting. Rhonda Strouse will provide spiritual companioning.
Session I: Enduring Energy with special guest James Williams, Lead Pastor, Centenary UMC, Lexington, KY. Our focus will be sustainment, rest, and seeking God’s response to meet the demands COVID-19 presents. As faith leaders, living in a time of non-stop movement and discernment, what is required in this pandemic time, and how do we rise and persevere? Rhonda Strouse will provide spiritual companioning.
$50 includes lunch, materials & 0.6 CEU