Youth Worker Spiritual Formation Trip

The Blue Ridge Mountain Immersion is a 5 day, domestic pilgrimage. Pilgrims are provided an opportunity to renew mind, body and spirt, through theological exploration, spiritual formation and intentional Christian community. Participants will experience the intersections of scripture, ecology, theology, and community.

This immersion is centered on a living-learning community; with a four part focus, Land, Water, Table, Soil. These topics will be explored through a Wesleyan understanding focused on United Methodist Social Principles and Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants.

A Daily Order will provide the framework for our explorations and experiences. Each day will include morning and evening prayer liturgies, conversations to expand our understanding of God's creation, immersive experiences in nature, and tours of ministries to deepen our understanding of Church and Community. Our living-learning space includes a residential mountain lodge in the Lake Junaluska Area, Haw Creek Commons, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the greater Asheville area.

Immersion Overview:

+Itinerary Subject to Change

Day 1: Arrival

Land: Lake Junaluska Methodist and Cherokee Heritage, a Hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Day 2

Table: Community Meal, Worship, and a tour of Haywood Street Congregation and fresco viewing.

Day 3

Soil: building community in a community garden. Working in the Haw Creek Community Garden and touring the Haw Creek Commons

Day 4

Water: Discuss Watersheds and what they mean for their communities

Day 5: Departure

Cost: $600*

Double Occupancy +$200 - Single

11 Meals, 4 nights lodging, Pre-trip Material, Program fees, ground transportation from Asheville

*Does not include transportation to Asheville, NC

Plan to Arrive by 5 PM EST Tuesday October 22nd

Closest airports to Lake Junaluska

Asheville Regional Airport - AVL - 35 minutes (32 miles)

Greenville-Spartanburg Intl Airport - GSP - 1 hr 40 minutes (85 miles)

McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville) TYS- 1 hr 45 minutes (105 miles)

Charlotte - CLT - 2.5 hours (145 miles)

Facilitators