Nebraska Synod ELCA

A day retreat for those who are passionate about faith based justice work and advocacy who have grown weary in the work. Come learn and practice internal spiritual formation that will equip and form your external justice work

“Your inner life will require an ongoing exploration as rigorous as your excavation of the external, global structures of oppression and social sin. If your inward and outward journey becomes interwoven, your life and witness will have opportunity to flourish. If they are alienated from one another, and your inward journey is neglected, your outward journey, regardless of the intensity of your commitment, eventually will start to disintegrate, with self-inflicted wounds likely to injure others and undermine the causes to which you committed your life.” -Wes Granberg-Michaelson

In his book “The Soulwork of Justice: Four Movements for Contemplative Action” Former politico, long-time activist, and faith leader Wes Granberg-Michaelson (Without Oars: Casting Off into a Life of Pilgrimage) looks at a life in activism. advocacy, and ministry to reveal four key discernable movements of a lifelong soul journey to God’s justice. He’s also witnessed these elements consistently in the lives of others devoted to both soul-care and justice. Now he offers these four key movements for anyone at any age wanting to step into the entwined lineage of justice and soul work.

While all experience it, few justice leaders talk about in the often exhausting effort of their work, and how critical soulwork–spiritual formation–is for sustaining a life of outward social witness. (quoted from Amazon book materials)

Join David Pinkston, Nebraska Synod Director for Seeking the Spirit Within for a day of exploring your own soulwork of justice.

Spend the morning in personal rest, renewal, prayer and contemplation, allowing the noise of the world to dissolve away. Then, join others over lunch for conversation and fellowship. In the afternoon, we’ll dig into Michaelson’s book and the four movements. We will take some time for conversation and learning, guided spiritual practices, reflection and worship.

Cost: $60/person
Bring your own bag lunch
Location: Calvin Crest Retreat Center, Fremont NE

Schedule:
9:00 a.m-noon: Centering time-come and get a cup of coffee and find a quiet space to sit and journal, pray, reflect and read. Take time to center yourself and clear out the noise of the world before our time together. Hiking trails will NOT be open but there are comfortable indoor and outdoor places to sit and reflect, pray and journal.
Noon: Bring your bag lunch and join us for conversation and connections in the Lower Area Lodge
1:00-4:00 The Soulwork of justice with David Pinskton
4:00 Closing worship