Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders

MORE THAN WORDS

MORE THAN WORDS by Brenda Buckwell Lifland

With Karen Covey Moore and Len Delony

What was the FUMSDRL retreat like in Nashville in the summer of 2007? Participants said “It was awesome.”

The Spirit of God’s breath filled each one gathered in that sacred space. The deepened awareness of God was thick as we worshiped, experienced body prayers under the leadership of Im Jung and joined in community of God’s heart. The foundation of this Fellowship found expression in our shared prayers and silence. Karen and Len participated in leadership of the retreat by being the prayerful listeners during our time together. The following letter written to those in attendance of the retreat was read during our closing worship experience.

FUMSDRL EPISTLE

AUGUST 4, 2007

Dearly Beloved of God,

Grace and peace to you from God our Creator and Christ our Redeemer.

God’s grace-filled Spirit has called us together to listen. We listen for the Word from God in our midst and in one another. We listen in our longing for wholeness and a place to belong, a place to find our voice.

As we shared our stories it was evident that God has been speaking and calling us by name even before we were aware of it. God has been made known to us in many diverse ways: through the mystery of creation, the prayers of others, and even our woundedness.

In God’s Word we hear and respond to the call to be transformed into something new.

We have been reminded that our bodies are temples of God that we must love them and care for them. In the same way we have been reminded that as spiritual directors and retreat leaders we must care for this ministry - nourish our souls and our relationship to God. We have been reminded that even when God is perceived as absent, God is very close. We have been reminded that in the great Mystery of God’s love, we are not separate – we are one. As we listen for God we are made aware that the Mystery is movement – sometimes perceived as a shift – sometimes perceived as a flowing stream – sometimes perceived as growth.

As spiritual directors and retreat leaders listening for God’s Word, we are reminded that we are to be containers for Grace, creating sacred spaces – preparing the womb of Christ by providing connection, nurture, a safe environment and the freedom to grow. We are called to offer a life line to the safety of God’s love for the people of the Church – connecting role and soul – living in the portals and liminal spaces. There is a tension in growth: as our roots grow deeper – the desire for new life increases. (Thank you Cherri Johnson.) A vow we might be called to make is to trust life to be sufficient and abundant in all that lies before us (Thank you John Blinn.) because life is God’s gift to us.

We are called to be awake to that Holy Presence all along the Way and bear witness to the healing and transforming power of love.

In the transforming and healing power of God,

The Listeners

Len Delony

C. Karen Covey Moore

The business portion, an hour of our three day experience was held in the Quaker tradition of worship for business. With Kathryn’s assistance we found the way through discernment and agreed that this Fellowship will covenant together to prayer together in our separate spaces. With the dream of a monastic community living through a time of the Diaspora in the 21 st century, we affirmed our covenant of prayer to pray the FUMSDRL daily prayer hours or our own daily style of prayer practice which would now include intercession for FUMSDRL. The FUMSDRL daily prayer hours will be sent under separate email for your consideration for practice and prayer.

During a short time of open discussion the Bylaws for the Fellowship were amended and accepted. With this acceptance the FUMSDRL Board now can proceed to the incorporation process as we officially become a not for-profit incorporated ministry. We anticipate becoming, in the next quadrenium, an official affiliate ministry of the Upper Room, through GBOD. The Bylaws for your review are included within the body of this newsletter. Beginning in 2008 membership for FUMSDRL will have an annual fee. This fee will assist in website set up and maintenance. You will receive a variety of amenities for your paid membership including discounts at all FUMSDRL retreats and gatherings. Further information and sign up procedures for membership will be sent under separate cover and in the winter 2008 e-newsletter.

We look forward to gathering face to face on yearly bases, in varying geographic locations across the nation. In October 2008 we will gather in Louisiana at the Wesley Center for four days and three nights of retreat and spacious opportunity for Sabbath making. If you missed the email flyer that came to you on the 2008 retreat, you may find that information on the FUMSDRL web site at www.fumsdrl.org if you would like to host the 2009 FUMSDRL retreat, send an email to our editor for consideration of your site for the next FUMSDRL retreat. It is the Board’s desire and prayer that the yearly retreats will rotate around the nation making the events accessible to all.