Mission
The Center for Faith and Life works alongside friends and partners within First Baptist Church of Asheville and the wider community to create a merciful zone of beautiful belonging where all can flourish in mind, body and spirit.
The Center hosts a combination of speaker and artist series, theological courses of study, and contemplative events and practices.
Artist Presentation
Visio Divina with Lauren Wright Pittman
Wednesday, February 11
Crouch Chapel, 6:00 pm.
This is a free event!
Join the Center for Faith and Life in welcoming Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman on Wednesday, February 11 in the Chapel. Lauren is a visual artist, graphic designer, and Director of Branding of A Sanctified Art, a ministry providing multimedia and creative resources for church leaders and spiritual seekers. She uses paint, metallic inks, linoleum carving tools, and Apple pencil to image the layered complexity she experiences in scripture texts. Lauren will help us prepare for Lent by guiding us through the contemplative practice of visio divina around a work of art from their rich repertoire. Her skilled and insightful facilitation will attune our eyes and hearts to God’s Spirit as we enter into this sacred season.
Lauren’s work can be found at sanctifiedart.org and lewpstudio.com.
Course of Study
The Art of Not Being Governed: Revelation for the Rest of Us
Wednesdays in January, 2026 (Jan. 7, 14, 21 & 28)
Crouch Chapel, 6:00 pm.
Join us for this four week series beginning January 7 at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel, The Art of Not Being Governed: Revelation for the Rest of Us, a primer on the Apocalypse of John (The Book of Revelation). We often avoid Revelation due to its strangeness, intensity, and violent imagery. But when we read John’s Apocalypse with reverence and imagination, we find that it is replete with inspiring liturgy, adventure, and hope. This chapel study will illuminate just how relevant Revelation is for congregations today. Participants will learn how to navigate John’s complex prophecy with more confidence, and come away equipped to partake in his vision of faithful dissent, transformational worship, and stunning new creation.
We are so grateful to Jan Richardson, our friends from First Congregational UCC, and all those who attended the evening of Reading and Conversation with Jan on December 17. As we enter this new year, our hearts and minds are full with the beauty and mystery of Jan’s blessings. You can listen to the program here.