So, how IS it with thy soul?

Your soul, like the rest of your being, needs care and feeding. 

Below is a banquet of nourishment laid out for you. Taste, and see that the Lord is good!

The resources include listings of Continuing Education and Retreat Sites, Taize and Labyrinth Sites, and Selected Books, all developed with the hope that you -- UMC clergypersons -- would ask yourselves this question regularly and use the resources listed to nurture your souls and help you thrive in your calling. PLEASE SEND US YOUR COMMENTS, ADDITIONS, IDEAS c/o judithpm@seniornewways.org.   

¤ Ben Lomond Quaker Center--Ben Lomond in Santa Cruz mountains, 408-336-8333. Weekend workshops. (www.quakercenter.org)

¤ Center for Gerontology, Spirituality and Faith—Cupertino, 408-454-5625. Spring, summer and fall workshops. (www.spirituality4aging.org)

¤ Christ the King—Citrus Heights, 916-725-4720. Weekend workshops. (www.passionist.org/retreats/ChristtheKing)

¤ Jesuit Retreat House--Los Altos, 650-948-4491. Weekend workshops. (www.JesuitRetreatHouse.org)

¤ Mercy Center—Auburn, 530-887-2019. Weekend and weeklong workshops. (www.mercyauburn.org)

¤ Mercy Center--Burlingame, 650-340-7474. Weekend and weeklong workshops, site of Academy for Spiritual Formation (Rick Plain, contact). (www.mercy-center.org)

¤ Network for Spiritual Formation, Bay View District, c/o Shirley Stephenson, 2432 Camino de Jugar, San Ramon CA 94583 (925-820-0513)

¤ Mercy Center--Burlingame, 650-340-7474. Weekend and weeklong workshops, site of Academy for Spiritual Formation (Rick Plain, contact). (www.mercy-burlingame.org)

¤ Pendle Hill Quaker Center for Study and Contemplation, Wallingford PA, 800-742-3150. Weekend, weeklong and semester workshops. (www.pendlehill.org)

¤ San Damiano--Danville, 925-837-9141. Weekend workshops. (www.sandamiano.org)

¤ Santa Sabina, Dominican College, San Rafael—415-457-7727. Weekend workshops. (www.nsw.edu.au/)

¤ Scarritt-Bennett Center, Nashville, 615-340-7543. Weekend and weeklong workshops. (www.scarritt-bennett.org)

¤ Villa Maria Del Mar--Santa Cruz, 408-475-1236. Weekend workshops. (www.villamariadelmar.org)

¤ Wellspring--Philo, Workshops through Pacific Center for Spiritual Formation, 415-383-1552, POB 1901, Mill Valley Ca 94962. (www..org)

¤ Zephyr Cove Retreat Center—Lake Tahoe. Weeklong and weekend workshops.

Sanctuaries for Private Retreats:

When you go to a private retreat, think of it as a hospitable space. Here is a place you can finally rest and maybe even play, be artistic or literary, and re-create joy. You schedule your own time, though observing the mealtimes at the retreat center. Often there is a table in the dining hall marked “Private Retreatants.” Sometimes there is even a whole room for silent meals. There will often be people attending workshops and classes for the day or longer. You are usually welcome at religious and meditation services held at these retreat centers. They provide information to you about opportunities and the facilities overall. The cost is about $60 per night, including three meals, depending on the retreat center.

¤ Ben Lomond Quaker Center--Ben Lomond in Santa Cruz mountains, 408-336-8333. (www.quakercenter.org)

¤ Christ the King—Citrus Heights, 916-725-4720. (www.passionist.org/retreats/ChristtheKing)

¤ Mercy Center—Auburn, 530-887-2019. (www.mercyauburn.org)

¤ Mercy Center--Burlingame, 650-340-7474. (www.mercy-center.org)

¤ New Camaldolese Hermitage--Big Sur, 408-667-2456. (www.contemplation.com/hermitage/home.html)

¤ San Damiano--Danville, 925-837-9141. (www.sandamiano.org)

¤ Santa Sabina, Dominican College, San Rafael—415-457-7727. (www.nsw.edu.au/)

¤ Villa Maria Del Mar--Santa Cruz, 408-475-1236. (www.villamariadelmar.org)

¤ Vina Trappist Monastery, north of Chico at Vina. (www.avinaguest.com/ava/lover_men.html)

Hot Springs and Spas:

Harbin Hot Springs, Calistoga.

Wilbur Hot Springs, near Clear Lake.

Calistoga Inn, Calistoga.

Taize Worship Sites:

Mercy Center Burlingame (first Friday, 8 pm); Los Altos UMC (third Wed., 6:30 pm); Point Arena UMC; Sierra Pines UMC--Grass Valley; Stone Church—Willow Glen; San Jose (first Tuesday, 6:30 pm); Woodside Priory--Portola Valley (third Friday, 8 pm). Please let us know of others. Call churches to check current days and times.

Labyrinth Sites:

Mercy Center Burlingame, Christ the King Retreat Center—Citrus Heights, Grace Cathedral--San Francisco, Kings Beach UMC, Biblical Gardens on Old Auburn Rd. between Grass Valley and Auburn, Willow Glen UMC. Please let us know of others. For information on labyrinths, see: www.gracecathedral.org; www.veriditas.net; www.labyrinthsociety.org; www.lessons4living.com/labyrinth.htm

Healing Power of Sound-Drumming:

Contact Arlene Goetze of Catholic Women’s Network, CWN@catholicwomensnetwork.org.

Spiritual Direction:

See sites for Private Retreats, above. For training, see Mercy Center Burlingame (above) and Bread of Life Center, Davis, 530-753-1577. (www.breadoflife.org)

Selected Books on Contemplative and Renewal Practices (classics):

In closing, contemplate this question: Where have you experienced the power and presence of God in your ministry? God bless you on your journey of spiritual formation and renewal!