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Intergenerational Event Grows Along with Participants’ Spiritual Lives

(NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 1, 2009/GBOD) — "Show me your ways, oh Lord," cries the psalmist (Psalm 25:4). That is the theme this year for the Upper Room’s annual SOULfeast event to be held July 12-16 at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.

The annual spiritual formation event will bring outstanding speakers and workshop leaders to guide people of all ages, both clergy and laity, who are searching for direction along their faith journey.

Singers perform at SoulFeast

The Rev. Trevor Hudson, a best-selling author and pastor of Northfield Methodist Church in Benoni, South Africa, will be the featured speaker and preacher. "He has a very intimate way of sharing his stories and illuminating the Gospel," says Sherry Elliot, who is coordinating the event for the Upper Room. The Upper Room is an ecumenical ministry of the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship.

Other preachers are the Rev. Vance Ross, deputy general secretary of GBOD; the Rev. Marjorie Thompson, a Presbyterian pastor and author of many resources of the Companions in Christ series; and the Rev. Jasmine Smothers, co-chair of the United Methodist Southeastern Jurisdiction’s Division on Ministries with Young People.

Smothers will be leading a new young adult component to SOULfeast. SOULfeast is an intergenerational event, and many young people have grown up attending. The young adult activities are designed to support those who have already graduated from high school and looking for their own way to grow spiritually along with their peers.

Vance P. Ross Deputy General Secretary General Board of Discipleship

"We are one of the few intergenerational conferences in the church," Elliot says. "A lot of our clergy are there and it allows them to bring their families."

Nevertheless, SOULfeast is not just for clergy and their families. "We have soccer moms to seminary professors all gathered at this one event," Elliot continues. "It just pulls together the best of Upper Room’s audiences."

In 2001, SOULfeast drew 235 participants, last year there were 506 people. Organizers expect even more this year.

There are many and varied workshops to guide people along their faith journey. From "Hooping as a Spiritual Discipline" to "Finding God on the Internet," from "Spirituality and Photography" to "Faith Questions for a Facebook Generation," there is something for everyone.

Each day will have its own theme, following Christ on his own journey from baptism to the cross and Resurrection. On each step of the journey, participants are invited to examine their own steps. Attendees will walk on "the Way to the Jordan," "the Way to Galilee," "the Way up the Mountain," "the Way into Jerusalem" and "the Way from the Empty Tomb."

Many of the leaders and other authors will be on hand to sign their books including Hudson, Thompson, Mary Lou Redding, Daniel Vestal, Mindy Caliguire, Patricia Wilson and Derek Maul.

Worshipers at SoulFeast

July will soon be here, so respond now. Let God rejuvenate your spiritual life.

Teens and young adults are entitled to a discounted rate of $75. Adult registration is $150, and children may attend for $60. Visit www.upperroom/soulfeast for more information. For lodging call (800) 222-4930.

The General Board of Discipleship's mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD (www.gbod.org) is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, call the Media Relations Office toll free at 877-899-2780, ext. 7017.

News Media Contact: Jeanette Pinkston, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 340-7017 or jpinkston@gbod.org