UTS Seminar in the Smokies

A Letter of Invitation to SOULfeast participants about the UTS Summer Seminar in the Smokies! during SOULfeast 2008

SOULfeast is an annual spiritual formation conference sponsored by The Upper Room, an ecumenical ministry of the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church. The annual gathering is hosted on the grounds of Lake Junaluska Assembly, North Carolina, beautiful mountain lake facilities which serve as denominational headquarters and conference center for the southeastern jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. (www.lakejunaluska.com)

Related programs for children and youth are featured in daily SoulFeast offerings, and many recreational opportunities are available on site and in the Smoky Mountain National Park.

For the first time at SOULfeast, 2008 attendees will have the opportunity to enroll in a unique leadership seminar sponsored by the UTS Center for Worship, Preaching and the Arts of United Theological Seminary. Special sessions of Seminar in the Smokies are scheduled at the beginning, middle and end of SOULfeast, for the purpose of integrative reflection on the full conference experience.

These sessions with conference leaders will be facilitated by Dr. Richard Eslinger, Academic Dean ad interim and Professor of Worship and Preaching at UTS, and Elise Eslinger, worship musician for SOULfeast and editor of the Upper Room Worshipbook. They will be joined by Dr. Brenda Buckwell Lifland, spiritual formation consultant for the Roots and Wings for Ministry certificate program at UTS, and a featured workshop leader at SoulFeast.

Each of the following SOULfeast leaders are committed to direct consultation with Seminar participants, during one or more of our three sessions:

• Rev. Rudy Rasmus, pastor of St. John’s UMC and founder of Bread of Life, Inc. (Homeless Ministry), Houston, Texas, SOULfeast preacher
• Dr. Marcia McFee of Lake Tahoe, California, SOULfeast worship designer
• Rev. Marjorie Thompson, conference speaker, Director of Pathways in Congregational Spirituality, The Upper Room
• Rev. Stephen Bryant, World Editor of The Upper Room and SOULfeast host
• Rev. Jerry Haas, Director of the Academy for Spiritual Formation & Emerging Ministries, The Upper Room

We pray that you will consider joining us for this evocative and engaging experience.

With hopes for the privilege of your companionship during this significant opportunity for Sabbath rest and spiritual renewal, and with our gratitude for your ongoing ministries,

Richard and Elise Eslinger

Note: The Summer in the Smokies seminar sessions will be held in Lambuth Inn.

For more information about the UTS Summer Seminar in the Smokies, contact Elise Eslinger (phone: 937-529-2278), or visit www.united.edu for more information about Roots and Wings for Ministry and the Center for Worship, Preaching, and the Arts.

Summary of Costs for Adults:

CEU Fee issued from the General Board of Discipleship (optional): $10.00

Seminar in the Smokies during SOULfeast
(Your choice): UTS Seminar Registration $50.00
or
UTS Roots and Wings for Ministry Certificate Option $100.00*

*(Requires full participation of at least 30 hours, in both conference and the seminar, and offers 1 Wings course credit in Roots and Wings program.)