by Marilyn Elliot, (DMin, 2006; MA, 1998), Vice President of Community Formation
“In quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15, RSV)
Where does a pastor go to rest when she has no refuge in sight? Where does a missionary speak when he wonders what faith still remains in his heart? Where does a spouse of a minister let go of the load when there are no safe ears to whisper doubts and pain into?
The Center for Soul Care offers a retreat/restoration ministry to alumni and Christian leaders who need a safe, gentle place of recovery and rest. Located directly across from the Asbury Inn, weary travelers can book a ‘quiet room’1 and enter into a week (or any designated time) of retreat planned specifically for their personal needs. The week will include a rhythm of care for the body, possibly through rest, exercise, food, and massage. As well, the time may include options such as occasions of healing prayer or discernment prayer times, conversations with appropriate faculty, Eucharistic celebrations, and counseling. The environment in which the personal retreat abides is one of gentleness, quiet, invitation, safety and love.
As well as providing restoration retreats, the Center seeks to normalize the journey of recovery and healing as a valid part of the spiritual work necessary to prepare one’s self for ministry. Students are encouraged toward honest self-examination, and accompanied in their own labyrinth way toward healing and wholeness. The labyrinth is the symbol we have chosen to describe our work as it accurately pictures the turns away from self and toward God that require patient perseverance and humble faithfulness even in times of less understanding. The labyrinth gate is guarded by the Good Shepherd and the way is not a maze but an ancient path walked by Christ himself.
Wesleyan theology strongly supports this approach to personal wholeness within a holding community. Each one is responsible for her/his own choices and faithfulness, but even these personal choices are not made in isolation. The sacraments of confession and forgiveness, Eucharist, scripture and prayer etc., weave through the more practical work of developing a character demonstrating (but not limited to) faithfulness, respectful care of the body, and self-giving love creates the fertile soil necessary for the healing of old wounds and distorted beliefs. We believe this is God’s will for His people, and those who will lead others into holiness must themselves have experienced the transforming power of grace.
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1 Asbury Inn has an option of choosing a ‘quiet room’ when you book your stay. This room has no TV, a soft wake alarm clock and an ipod dock for your iPod music. Even more importantly, the room and occupant will be prayer over before arrival and a prayer shawl placed on the bed as a symbol of covering a prayer during the stay.