MISSION
The Center for Faith and Life works to create a merciful zone of beautiful belonging where people can flourish in mind, body, and spirit.
ABOUT US
The Center partners with the wider community to host speakers and artists series, theological courses of study, and contemplative events.
Sacred Garden and Labyrinth 10-year Anniversary
Wednesdays, April 22 & 29
Crouch Chapel, 6:00 p.m.
Come celebrate the 10-year anniversary of a dream realized: our beautiful Sacred Garden and stunning 11-circuit Chartres labyrinth. Join us on Wednesday, April 22, as we gather to remember the vision, and offer gratitude to those in our congregation who made this dream possible through their gifts, skill, and generosity. Come on Wednesday, April 29 to learn about the labyrinth installation through an interview with stone mason and President of Hammerhead Stoneworks, Marc Archambault. This evening’s slide presentation and interview will reveal the process behind the work. May these commemorative events deepen our appreciation and enrich our experience of this sacred space.
“Come to the Garden”: A Contemplative Women’s Retreat
Led by Rev. Tambi Swiney
Saturday, March 28
First Baptist Church of Asheville
Crouch Chapel & Sacred Garden, 9:00 a.m – noon
In the Holy Week and Easter narratives, gardens are emotionally-charged sites where divine drama unfolds. Gardens continue to be liminal spaces, holy ground where we can pour out our feelings and draw near to God. At this spring retreat on the Saturday before Holy Week, Rev. Tambi Swiney invites women to “Come to the Garden” to explore spiritual practices that can deepen their experience of the Divine and strengthen them for the living of these days. The retreat will take place in our Chapel and Sacred Garden.
Registration fee: $40. A portion of each registration fee will go to support the Center for Faith and Life.
Be sure to register by Monday, March 23 online at tambibrownswiney.com/
We are grateful to Lauren Pittman for a rich evening of ‘sacred seeing’, reflection, and conversation. Her skilled and insightful facilitation of visio divina around the work Stardust helped prepare our eyes and hearts for Lent as we consider the mystery of who we are in God: Of Dust and Stars. Click here to listen to Lauren’s presentation and practice visio divina with Stardust, posted above.
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.
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.