Soulcare

Soulcare ministers with CTS spouses by providing classes on relevant subjects. Spouses gather in a home setting, less than 10 minutes from Calvin Seminary, to worship, study, pray, and fellowship over good food and drink. Soulcare offers six semesters of classes studying the Christian Disciplines, Christian Caregiving, Discerning God’s Will, Hospitality, How to Give Away Your Faith and Christian Leadership. Classes meet weekly in the Fall (from September through early December) and again in the Spring (from February through early May). Our studies this year focus on Discerning God’s Will and Christian Disciplines. Classes and materials are free, but a commitment to attending regularly and completing assignments is expected.

The day classes host Soulcare Kids, where children two and up are blessed with kids’ worship, Bible stories, crafts, and organized play activities; where infants and toddlers enjoy a fun, safe, loving environment while moms and dads pursue personal and spiritual formation.

Three classes will be offered this year, Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11:30 am, Tuesday Evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 pm and a special Thursday morning class for International spouses (whose first language is not English) 9:30-11:30 am.

Once a year, CTS student spouses gather at a local hotel or retreat center for 24 hours to address a common challenge many ministry families’ face. Retreats in the past have included such topics as: Boundaries, Transitions, Marriage, and Friendship. Each retreat balances learning sessions with worship, community building, fun and rest. Although there are no childcare provisions during the retreat, nursing mothers may take their infants.

2010 This year’s retreat is planned for the weekend of February 5 and 6, from 4:00 pm Friday through 4:00 pm Saturday. Boundaries is our topic. Watch for information and registration details (pdf).

2010 Registration Form (pdf)

2009 Michelle’s Retreat Report

To encourage CTS spouses and prepare them for the unique challenges ministry families face, Soulcare is hosting dinner discussions throughout the seminary’s academic year, bringing together CTS student spouses with local, seasoned pastor’s spouses. Last year our topics ranged from Discerning the Call, Moving, Loneliness, Safe Persons, Healthy Marriages, Healthy Pastors’ Kids, Sabbath Rest, and Boundaries. Discussion Dinners this year will fall on the 3rd Thursdays of the month from 6:00 – 8:00 pm in the months of October, November, February, March and April. Spouses choose the topics.

Fall 2008:

Last year, on a Friday night in October, student spouses were privileged to hear Carolyn Custis James, international speaker, author and pastor’s daughter. Carolyn had a strong, affirming message for us in her talk, "Mrs. Noah, Patron Saint of Pastor’s Spouses". Carolyn’s written three books, When Life and Beliefs Collide, Lost Women of the Bible and The Gospel of Ruth.

Spring 2009:

Soulcare classes enjoyed an evening with one of CTS’s Vice Presidents, Duane Kelderman. Duane also chairs the Candidacy Committee. We spent some time talking about the recent findings of three Christian Psychologists in a paper called "How Pastor’s Struggle" and we also discussed candidacy procedures.

Spring 2010:

This year Soulcare is privileged to host Joanne Goodwin, a pastor’s wife for 25 years. "Joanne is a dynamic speaker who…is constantly traveling and sharing what she’s learned through her trials and heartaches. Her unique ability to share her experiences with transparency and humor leaves her audiences laughing and crying-but most importantly encouraged." Joanne will speak to our group on Friday, March 12 from 7:00–9:00 pm.

Spring 2010:

Once again we’ll host Duane Kelderman for an evening to talk about and answer questions regarding the candidacy process.

To acclimate spouses to the Grand Rapids’ area and to facilitate community building in a non-classroom setting, Soulcare has organized a variety of field trips for parents and their children. Participants have enjoyed trips to a pumpkin patch, the Grand Rapids’ Children’s Museum, Meijer Gardens, Paterson Ice Arena and participation in a creative movement class. This year we plan to visit nearby Koetsier Greenhouse, especially suited for small children, involving a hay ride, pumpkin painting, and play area.

A fitting volunteer opportunity available for CTS spouses this year is helping out in the warehouse of Theological Book Network (TBN), whose mission is to provide quality academic books and journals to the libraries of seminaries, colleges and universities in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East that provide theological training toward the development of leaders, teachers and clergy in the Christian Church. TBN’s new location is minutes away from the seminary at 3529 Patterson Ave. SE. Soulcare is scheduled to volunteer during the first week of March 2010.