When bad things happen, what is our reaction? Do we trust God even when we don’t understand? When difficult things happen, we begin to doubt God’s concern for us or His control over our lives. But when times are hard, when the world feels like it’s caving in on us — it’s even more important …
View course details “TRUSTING GOD–EVEN WHEN LIFE HURTS”

The only thing that is constant in our lives is change and it will come whether we are ready for it or not. Change means altering our lives, creating a new routine, and doing things differently. Explore the various emotions associated with change and how to adjust and cope when change arrives. Learn how to …
View course details “Change is Calling – Are you Ready?”

Grief moves and changes like the seasons. Come and explore grief through the seasons of loss, change, growth and renewal. This retreat is for people experiencing loss through death/separation/divorce/lost relationships and life changes. An opportunity to examine your loss by using the seasons as a metaphor to discover the personal impacts of loss and grief. …
View course details “Seasons of Grief”

We live in a fast-paced society with a seemingly endless list of demands. Life naturally brings its share of challenges and stress. The key is to move forward so that stress doesn’t impact other areas of your life. Stress affects us all, but why exactly do we feel it and what causes it? This Workshop …
View course details “Good bye stress–Hello Life!”

What is preventing you from accepting yourself just as you are? Many of us spend so much time trying to be someone else rather than being ourselves. Rather than comparing our lives and experiences to others -we should embrace and enjoy the things that make us who we are! The most important relationship that you …
View course details “Free to be me”

This event is brought to you by Forma, a ministry of the department of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary. This event will be held in person on the campus of Virginia Theological Seminary – click here for more information about visiting campus, including a campus map, as well as at The Westin Alexandria Old …
View course details “2023 Forma Annual Conference: Called to Covenant”

How many of us were told anger is inappropriate? Anger is both an energy and a gift. It is like gas to the automobile -it fuels us to move forward. Anger can be a powerful tool that motivates us to rise to a challenge. The difficulty is when we abuse anger and use it in …
View course details “The Gift of Anger Retreat”

The only thing that is constant in our lives is change and it will come whether we are ready for it or not. Change means altering our lives, creating a new routine, and doing things differently. Explore the various emotions associated with change and how to adjust and cope when change arrives. Learn how to …
View course details “Change is Calling–Are you ready?”

OVERVIEW I want to be with people who submerge in the task, who go into the fields to harvest and work in a row, and pass the bags along, who are not parlor generals and field deserters but move in a common rhythm when the food must come in or the fire be put out. …
View course details “WISE WOMEN’S WORK”

Scripture resounds with God’s call to “Listen!” The discipline and gift of listening is core to the art of spiritual direction, as well as to friendship, church life, and civic engagement. Yet few professional and academic programs teach us how to listen well. It is a spiritual discipline in need of revival. In the midst …
View course details “Contemplative Listening: The Foundation of Spiritual Friendship and Direction”