Soulfeast  is an annual spiritual formation event sponsored by the Upper Room Ministries of The United Methodist Church. It is held in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. This year the even is held July 20 through July 24. This is the third year that the Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors (FUMSDRL) has been invited to offer spiritual direction to the participants and participate in the leadership of Morning Prayer and lead workshops. More on FUMSDRL’s role later.

This year for the first year, United Theological Seminary is sponsoring a seminar for spiritual leaders interested in an enhanced experience of the event through reflection and dialogue with key leaders. On Sunday evening, July 20 the seminar began with conversation with Steve Bryant, Publisher, Upper Room Ministries and Associate General Secretary of the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church and Jerry Haas, Director of the Academy for Spiritual Formation and Emerging Ministries.

At this meeting, Steve Bryant outlined the key elements of planning a spiritual formation event such as Soulfeast. He said that the planning focused on providing Presence, Practice, Pathways, Power, and Pilgrimage through Environment, Experience, Education, Exercise (of spiritual practices) and Engagement.

The purpose of the event, he said, was to provide opportunities for participants to notice the Presence of the Holy, and learn the basic Practices of the faith as they begin the Pilgrimage of walking in the Presence by looking at Pathways available to us in the journey as we become aware of the Power of God. This is done by providing a culture of Spiritual Formation with good leadership which fosters an Environment of Grace that allows others to feel appreciated, and to know themselves as children of God. Liturgical, visual, and physical, Experiences are offered that enable participants to Exercise a daily rhythm of the spiritual practices of celebration and contemplation, solitude and community, prayer and learning providing Education for the spiritual journey that prepares them to Engage life more fully.

Jerry Haas noted how extremely important the setting is. Attention to preparation, beauty, hospitality and prayer are essential to providing a safe and open setting for spiritual exploration. Language must be used sensitively in a way that is inclusive and non-threatening. He described such events as playgrounds of the soul providing permission and relaxed and safe ways enter more deeply into God.

Following their presentations, and dialogue with them, Elise Eslinger led the group in a time of reflection on the shared information.

submitted by Reverend Karen Covey Moore