An immersion course in the theory and practice of Wesleyan new monasticism, with a focus on practices of prayer, hospitality, and missional engagement in a local context. Missional foci include supporting refugee resettlement, environmental healing through regenerative farming, and a ministry model with bivocational clergy and a robust, lay, lead team structured around monastic practices and contemplative life.

This is an immersion course with a week spent at Spring Forest in Hillsborough, North Carolina, July 9-15, 2023 and work online before and after the immersion experience.

Spring Forest is the home and farm of the Community at Spring Forest, a United Methodist new monastic, missional faith community. Our ministries focus on regenerative farming, supporting refugee resettlement, contemplative and healing spirituality, and fostering the nutritional and spiritual well-being of our neighbors.

The rule of life for Spring Forest is prayer, work, table, and neighbor. All four of these elements of spiritual practice are considered forms of worship. During the immersion experience, students will participate in this rule of life in order to learn experientially, as well as learning through reading, writing, and theological conversation.

Spring Forest includes a working farm. Students should be prepared to engage the work according to their ability. Instructions and guidance will be provided for chores such as planting, weeding, and harvesting veggies; providing food and water for the livestock; and tending the forest trail.

Persons with severe allergies to dogs, livestock, bees, etc. should probably refrain from taking this course. Those with mild allergies to trees, grass, etc. will probably be fine if they bring their allergy medicine and take it daily.

Students are responsible for the cost of transportation and housing (if not staying at Spring Forest) and must make their own arrangements prior to arriving.

Facilitator: Dr. Elaine Heath, Abbess of Spring Forest, co-founder of the Missional Wisdom Foundation, and president of the Neighborhood Seminary.

Prerequisite: Completion of COS, or required as supplement to M.Div., or required for transfer to UMC from another denomination.

This is an immersion course with a week at Spring Forest. Click on course name or "More info" link for important information.