Spiritual Formation
Our faith is ever changing and growing, and we believe we must continue that journey through discovering, learning more and diving into Scripture with those around us.
"Though we may not think alike, can we not love alike."
- John Wesley
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Sunday Morning Worship Prayer
Sundays during the 8:20, 9:30 and 11 a.m. services The Worship Prayer Team is comprised of individuals who commit to pray during one of the Sanctuary worship services. The team is made up of men and women of all walks of life who are willing to share one hour on Sunday morning to pray for the ministries that take place on the WC Campus. There is a room on the second floor of the Sanctuary on the south end that is dedicated for the purpose of worship prayer and provides a quiet setting and instructions to guide the participant in their time of prayer. John McKellar and Todd Renner, our Co-Pastors, stress the importance of this opportunity to be a church of prayer so we might “see revival and new life spring forth” throughout all areas of ministry here at WC. Please contact Dianne Will at 817-481-4147 to schedule your time of prayer. Men of Prayer
Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month - 7 p.m. in Room 3201 The White's Chapel Men of Prayer (WCMOP) is a group of men that meets regularly to pray for the church and individuals within the church. They engage in intercessory prayer to minister to the church and its members. The group feels that God has invited them to participate in this activity and all have committed to pray daily for the list of needs. WCMOP also feels that intercessory prayer can be more effective than trying to pray for themselves. There is no age limit; all men are welcome. During these meetings, the men encourage one another and update the list over which they pray. The group attendance ranges from a handful to a dozen or more. WCMOP also gathers on fifth Tuesdays at various venues for fellowship. Please contact Warren Witt at 817-901-3500 for more information. Open Hearts Support Group
Second Saturday of each month, 4 p.m. in the Center for Spiritual Care The Open Hearts group is an affirming support group for family, friends and members of the LGBTQIA community. We believe that all God’s children are loved and welcomed in our church. We meet once a month (except for July & August) on the second Saturday from 4 to 5:45 p.m. in the Center for Spiritual Care. Join us to learn and find fellowship in a supportive Christian group. Simple Presence
First Thursday of each month, 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Center for Spiritual Care Please join Rev. Betsy Godbold for a time of Simple Presence to experience contemplative prayer, silence and a time of sharing. You will be invited to be still and open yourself to Christ's Spirit working in us, as we hear the psalmist plea: "Be still and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). All are welcome and registration is not required. Spiritual Direction
By Appointment The goal in Spiritual Direction is to increase your awareness of God’s presence in your life through a monthly, one-hour conversation with a trained Spiritual Director. Do you wish to hold yourself accountable to regular spiritual practices or wish to learn new prayer practices? Do you desire to love God more dearly, see God more clearly, follow God more nearly? White’s Chapel has several Spiritual Directors ready to join you on your journey. For more information, contact Rev. Betsy Godbold at 817-481-4147. The goal of the SPELL Symposium is to establish a foundation that will support an on-going tradition of inviting teachers to Whites Chapel United Methodist Church, who are grounded in the Christian tradition that teaches the importance of spiritual practices and contemplative prayer as the foundation for experiencing the Love of God.
Belief statement: When we are centered internally by engaging in spiritual practices and contemplative prayer, our outer actions demonstrate and bear witness to this Love. The objective of the SPELL Symposium is to develop and implement a multi-year program of speakers for the benefit of our church and community. These events will be coupled with events/activities that precede the speaking engagement as well as follow-up activities/events. SPELL seeks to gain not just knowledge through these events, but heart-felt ‘knowing’. Outcomes: SPELL hopes to grow a community that:
Mirabai Starr’s “Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics”
Friday, November 15, 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in The Bridge Mirabai Starr writes creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialogue. A certified bereavement counselor, Starr helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss. She has received critical acclaim for her revolutionary new translations of the mystics, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila and Julian of Norwich. She is the award-winning author of, “God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam,” “Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation,” and “Mother of God Similar to Fire,” a collaboration with iconographer, William Hart McNichols. Her emphasis has always been on making connections between the perennial teachings found at the heart of all the world’s spiritual paths, in an effort to promote peace and justice. The cost is $50 for this 2-day event, $10 for students. “Wild Mercy” may be purchased in the WC Bookstore. Phileena Heuertz presents “Mindful Silence”
February 8, 2020, 9am-3pm in The Bridge Cost $40, Students $10 Phileena Heuertz author of Mindful Silence is a spiritual director, gifted speaker/teacher, retreat guide, and author. She is passionate about spirituality and making the world a better place. With a rare gift for communicating the dynamics of the spiritual journey, Phileena gracefully guides others toward personal growth, bringing harmony to the active and contemplative life. She invites us to look at our fast-paced lives and realize how little attention we pay to being mindful and intentional in the smallest task. Our lives are filled with distractions, frequently leaving us disillusioned and dissatisfied - with ourselves, with others, and even with God. Centering prayer, a Christian expression of mindfulness, is a crucial remedy for our fragmented condition, offering a more peace-filled and purposeful life. “The hallmarks of contemplative spirituality are solitude, silence, and stillness have never been more important for our society: • In solitude, we develop the capacity to be present. • In silence, we cultivate the ability to listen. • In stillness, we acquire the skill of self-control.” These attributes also help in discerning and developing our relationship with God while uncovering our true self and lead us to a life lived with meaning and purpose. A light lunch will be provided. Mindful Silence is available for purchase at WC’s Circuit Writers Books and Such. To learn more about Phileena visit Phileena.com. The Enneagram Journey for Exploration, Growth, and Transformation
The Enneagram is a powerful ancient tool for learning more about your motivations, increasing awareness of the workings of your personality, and discovering ways to enhance balance and wholeness in your life. “What you don’t know about yourself can hurt you - and your relationships, and how you make your way in the world,” writes teacher and author Suzanne Stabile. This 12-week study of the Enneagram is not just to grasp the intellectual working of the of this life enhancing tool, although participants will receive a solid grounding in the basic concepts. The true gift comes as you understand the different aspects of your Enneagram number-what motivates you, what makes life challenging for you, and what tools you have for recovering your True Self and build healthy relationships with others. Transformation and growth take place as those in their individual group experiences the richness of the Enneagram together. The groups are limited to 15 participants each and workbooks will be available for purchase at the beginning of the classes. Registration is required by going to www.whiteschapelumc.com to reserve your place at the table in the Center for Spiritual Care living room. Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. - Beginning Jan. 7
Wednesdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. - Beginning Jan. 8
Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. - Beginning Jan. 9
New Seeds of Contemplation
Wednesday Evenings from Jan. 8 – Apr. 29 at 7p.m. in Room 1201 It has been said that New Seeds of Contemplation written by Thomas Merton is one of the great spiritual classics of our time. In print for more than 40 years the book serves as a guide to the contemplative life with 39 short “seeds” that are as relevant today as when the book was first written. The “seeds” help awaken and cultivate the contemplative, mystical dimension of the spiritual path. Merton says that contemplation cannot be described, only pointed to or hinted at. He goes on to say that the “I” we feel we are, the one who does all the things we do, is not the true self. Another challenge of Merton is that we are called to live in the world and not of the world. Being in the world versus being of the world offers space of freedom from which we grow into all God creates us to be. This class is limited to 15 contemplative participants. Join us in the Room 1201, 2nd floor Sanctuary, for this study beginning Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. You may purchase a copy of this book at WC’s Circuit Writers Bookstore. The Universal Christ
The Universal Christ, by author and spiritual guide Father Richard Rohr, draws on scripture, history and spiritual practice, Rohr articulates a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant, unfolding work in the world. Rohr states: “Most know who Jesus was, but who was Christ?” Participants/contemplatives will be invited to reflect on what Rohr says is a “fundamental truth, that faith becomes less about proving Jesus was God and more about learning to recognize the Creator’s presence all around us and in everyone we meet.” The Universal Christ will be offered at three different times, all in the Center for Spiritual Care: Tuesdays, 1:30-3 p.m Wednesdays, 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. The Spiritual Awakenings Roundtable
Welcoming New Members! Sundays from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Center for Spiritual Formation The Spiritual Awakenings Roundtable challenges members to see themselves and their faith through fresh lenses. Come join us in lively explorations that include insights from Scripture, tradition, historical texts, contemporary writers, and renowned guest speakers. Our interactive discussions incorporate perspectives from a wide variety of Christian legacies and real-world experiences. Inspired by the authors who fuel our facilitated exchange, we enjoy a circle of trust, candor, and genuine interest in the spiritual evolution to which Christ calls us. Past Roundtable studies have ranged from Rohr’s The Divine Dance to Palmer’s Hidden Wholeness, C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce, Maddox’ Responsible Grace, Coniaris’ Philokalia, Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation, McLaren’s The Road is Made by Walking, Rosling’s Factfulness, Batterson’s Whisper, and Shaia’s Heart and Mind. Our study for fall 2019 will center on Richard Rohr’s The Universal Christ. Throughout this season, we’ll continue to focus on translating the power of our interior life into effective action within both the secular world and our community of faith. Whether you’re 20 or 90, you can count on the Roundtable’s inquiries to expand the mind and energize the spirit by reflections both relevant and timely. Loved and Loving: A Guide for Prayer Loved and Loving: A Guide for Prayer, by authors Jacqueline Syrup Bergan and Marie Schwan, CSJ, is a study with a wonderful opportunity to become grounded in the spiritual practices which open us to an awareness that God’s presence and closeness to us comes through Jesus, the Christ, God’s Son, the word who became flesh and lived among us. Bergan and Schwan invite each participant/contemplative to “feast on a rich nourishing five course dinner based on Contemplation to attain God’s love with the crowning moment centered in and on The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” |
Meet the Director
Rev. Betsy Goldbold
Pastor for Spiritual Formation Reverend Betsy Godbold received a Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School, with a concentration in Pastoral Theology and Counseling. She has extensive training in the area of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction. |
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