FOLLOWING TO LEAD Marianne Hebert and Kay Martin reflect on how following God's call to step out of their comfort zones has given them the confidence to lead others

It is with great joy and celebration that the Ministry of Spiritual Formation at FUMC in partnership with Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary recognizes and honors eleven members of First Methodist who have successfully completed the two year training for Paraprofessional Certification in Spiritual Formation Ministries.

Congratulations to: Stacy Garrett, Stuart Gilly, Carolyn Golightly, Katie Goodson, Marianne Hebert, Vicki Kellum, Eric Lockridge, Kay Martin, Lynn Mitchell, Mary Rotenberg, and Jennifer Rossnagel.

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Marianne Hebert and Kay Martin reflect on their experiences and how following God's call to step out of their comfort zones has given them the confidence to lead others toward a deeper relationship with God.

My journey of spiritual formation began several years prior to my participation in the Paraprofessional training program for Spiritual Formation ministries, a training program coordinated and sponsored by the Ministry of Spiritual Formation at FUMC. God had placed many spiritual friends and mentors in my life…. to name a few, Cherri Johnson, Rev. Liz Wyatt, Carolyn Peyton, Rev. Becky Poor and my Disciple group who journeyed with me for five years as we studied Scripture. BY MARIANNE HEBERT

When Cherri Johnson, Director of Spiritual Formation, approached me about participating in “this amazing new opportunity”, I felt a sense of excitement that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. I didn’t understand fully, at that time, what she was offering me, but I did have a “heart-warming” experience!

I asked myself, 'Am I ready to commit to this training? Lord, I’m scared.' I prayed and I listened. My response turned out to be the best decision I have ever made! I stepped out of my comfort zone and said, Yes! God, I will do this!

After speaking with Cherri, I learned that the Ministry of Spiritual Formation was partnering with GarrettEvangelical Theological Seminary to provide two year training in Spiritual Formation. The program would bring in professors from Garrett Theological Seminary to teach the courses. Completion of this training would qualify me for Paraprofessional Certification in Spiritual Formation. I thought, “Wow, this is just what I have been waiting for! “I didn’t expect to go through a time of questioning my decision, but eventually I asked myself, “Am I ready to commit to this training? Lord, I’m scared.” I prayed and I listened. My response turned out to be the best decision I have ever made! I stepped out of my comfort zone and say, “Yes! God, I will do this!”

After committing to the journey, my first course was on Christian spiritual disciplines and listening for God speaking in my life. I learned about prayer and my relationship with God. I learned how to listen for God and how to

apply the narratives of Jesus in my life and I learned about our Methodist tradition. I must admit that the journey wasn’t always easy. After beginning the program in September, the month of December, was a time for me of questioning and waiting. It was a time in the desert, as I wondered where God was leading me.

I continued to listen and pray, and the message I received was, “Depend on Me”. This was the message I kept receiving each time I was in solitude. God’s grace brought me through this dark time in my journey. As I persevered, I continued to grow in faith by grace. I learned how to teach the Bible from a spiritual formation perspective and by listening to the Spirit in me and through others. I learned about Christian conferencing and creating sacred space for holy listening to God and another. I learned about facilitating small groups, and I had the opportunity to practice my ‘listening and learning’ as I co-facilitated the 26- week Companions in Christ course from Upper Room. I also facilitated two formational Bible studies at the annual FUMC Women’s Retreat in March.

As I prepared for and led these experiences, it seemed as though, “everywhere I turned, I saw and experienced God.” God placed before me the people and resources I most needed! How amazing is that!

The two year practicum requirements for completion of training were absolutely transformational for me! Although I don’t fully know “what’s next”, I am filled with excitement and wonder for I know the Spirit is leading me! [LOVE GOD] FOLLOWING TO LEAD: KAY MARTIN

A BEAD AND A PRAYER WORKSHOP

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2018 9:00-11:00 AM - CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION AT FUMC COST: $15

A Bead and a Prayer Workshop will center us in Scripture, cover the history and uses of Protestant prayer beads as a means of grace to help you focus on prayer, be silent and hear what God wants to say to you. Facilitated by Vicki Kellum and Kay Martin.

Visit firstmethodist.org to register.

BY KAY MARTIN W hen I signed up for a two-year paraprofessional training in spiritual formation, I had no idea that I would wind up organizing a retreat on protestant prayer beads! The idea came from my daughter Shannon, who goes to Inman Park Methodist Church in Atlanta, where the husband of the retreat leader, Kristen Vincent, was the minister. Shannon showed me her protestant prayer beads and Kristen’s book, A Bead and a Prayer, and I suppose the rest is history.

My partner in this undertaking was Vicki Kellum and together we worked with Cherri Johnson, Director of Spiritual Formation, to plan this retreat. As we progressed, we read the book, worked on a budget, coordinated with Kristen, selected dates, publicized the event and selected table leaders to guide those who would attend. I know I grew spiritually and I also learned a lot about ministry within the congregation. God was certainly with us all the way!

For me, training our table leaders and guiding them in the process of making their own prayer beads, was one of the most moving and personal parts of my experience. We met with each table leader and allowed each to choose the color of beads that ‘spoke’ to them. One person closed her eyes to choose her beads. Another person, who had experienced a very stressful day at work, began to