What Participants Say About Way of the Spirit
Transforming: “Way of the Spirit has been an extraordinarily transforming experience for me. God has used the retreats to sharpen my self-understanding and reveal important areas for growth. …The support and gentle accountability the program provides has helped me to significantly deepen my devotional practices and disciplines of prayer, scripture reading, reflection on queries, etc. … I intend to return from this retreat deeply transformed and nearly unrecognizable.” —J.M. 2012
Learning and Contemplation: “Each session of Way of the Spirit has been a balance of learning and contemplation. The blending of Friends from both liberal and evangelical traditions has enriched the retreats in ways that I could not have imagined. I have witnessed change and growth in my self and others each time.” —S.S. 2012
A Huge Blessing: “The WotS has been a shot in the arm for my faith life! It renewed my passion for Quaker theology, and helped me feel closer than I have in years to the Spirit. Blessedly, this opportunity came at a very challenging time in my life when I needed, more than ever, a strong spiritual footing. WotS has been a huge blessing — one of the most enriching spiritual experiences of my life! I highly recommend it to Quakers seeking to deepen their faith lives, to learn more about our Christian roots/identity, and to expand their spiritual horizons by rich interactions with Friends from other Quaker traditions.” —N.M. 2012
Challenging: “I believe Way of the Spirit, even in it’s first formative year, is a way to rediscover and develop more spiritual sensitivity towards God and community. My hope is that the slumbering spirit of Quakerism is awakened by such a program… My spirit has been challenged and aroused by this program, and I dare not go back to my old ways that dampened and chained the freedom in my spirit. —C.C. 2012
About Christine Betz Hall
Cohesive Learning and Loving Energy
“Christine has a gift of creatively facilitating large functions. Her exercises are appropriately time and varied to create cohesive learning and loving energy. She’s organized and shows deliberate preparation and facilitation. Her pace of presentation is purposeful. As a prior facilitator of corporate functions I know, felt and appreciate all that went into [Chris's] work for us here this weekend and am extremely appreciative of [her] heartfelt commitment and professional expertise.” — Kim Heninger, retreat participant
Easy to Feel Connected
“I have found Chris to be a special gifted person, concerned about the spiritual unfolding of the participants in her groups. She is open and willing to hear and listen. She seems to be extremely well prepared for the various sessions and knows [how] to bring it with flair and often various examples. It’s easy to feel connected to her.” — Lous, retreat participant
Seeks Guidance
“I have attended two weekend retreats, a year apart, with Chris. She’s always well prepared, seeks guidance both from God and planning committee for the direction of the retreat, listens very well and is willing to change and adjust her program as the needs of the group are revealed.” —Anne Nixon, Ministry and Nurture Committee, Alaska Friends Conference, April 2011
Evidence of Preparation
“Chris obviously brings evidence of extensive preparation to her presentations. Her ability to ‘make her point(s)’ briefly and move to group participation/feedback is an appreciated technique. These attributes, coupled with a deep spiritual awareness and avoidance of theological dogma are much appreciated.” —John, retreat participant
