Always With Us:
A Sensory-Based Spiritual Formation Experience Rooted in Jesus’ ‘I Am’ Teachings
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Wherever and however we are, God is always with us! Yet it is so difficult for us to remember that in the routines, stresses, setbacks and surprises of our everyday lives. We all need personal ways to remember, recognize and engage with God’s spiritual presence in our ordinary as well as extraordinary moments.
Always With Us provides sensory-based spiritual practices to help you develop this type of memory and habit. Rooted in Jesus’ “I am” messages in the Gospel of John, Always With Us helps you engage with God’s spiritual presence through your physical experiences of bread, light, doors, shepherds, new life, pathways, and vines.
You can experience Always With Us through retreats, weekly study, or a sermon series.
Retreats
One day, weekend, or week-long retreats that will immerse you in spiritual and sensory awareness of Jesus describing himself as bread, light, a door, good shepherd, new life, path way, or vine. Retreats include original spiritual practices, teachings, group discussions, personal reflections, and the option for spiritual direction. Contact Ultreia to plan a retreat or to learn about upcoming offerings. Can be experienced in-person, virtually, or hybrid
Weekly Study
Meets one hour a week for 8, 15 or 22 weeks, working through all 7 “I am” statements of Jesus. Each week will include a teaching (relevant topics ranging from theological, historical, scientific and/or cultural), spiritual reflection and discussion, introduction to an original sensory-based spiritual practice to experience outside of class, and review of previous spiritual practices. Contact Ultreia to plan a weekly study or to learn about upcoming offerings. Can be experienced in-person, virtually, or hybrid
Sermon Series and Churchwide
Spiritual Formation Program
Rev. Laura Rasmussen will deliver a 16 week sermon series based on Jesus’ seven “I am” statements in the Gospel of John (“I am the bread” 6:35, “I am the light” 8:12, “I am the gate/door” 10:7-9; “I am the good shepherd” 10:11,14; “I am the resurrection and the life” 11:25; “I am the way, the truth, and the life” 14:6; and “I am the true vine” 15:1-5). There will be two sermons for each “I am” statement.
The sermons include:
• Historical context of scripture verse
• Theological and spiritual reflection
• Relevant personal stories to engage individuals in recognizing God’s presence through ordinary moments and elements of everyday life
• A printed spiritual practice to take home and try during the week
A 14 week bible study/reflection group will be offered in correlation with the sermon series. Participants will be able to discuss and reflect on the weekly sermon and spiritual practice, as well as taking a deeper dive into the scripture verse and its spiritual meaning. There will be an additional spiritual practice available for each “I am” statement for participants to practice occasionally in class or on their own. This curriculum can also be adapted to children and youth ministries.
In total, 21 original printed spiritual practices will be offered to the church.
Ideal for PC(USA), ELCA, RCA, and UCC churches who are in-between pastors or are looking for short-term pastoral/pulpit coverage during the sabbatical of their regular pastor.
Contact Ultreia to discuss this program for your church. Can be experienced in-person, virtually, or hybrid
