Our hearts...

Dan Huie

I first came to spiritual direction wanting to figure out what I needed to do. As a sexual minority in church circles, I had a great deal of bible knowledge. I also had a great deal of spiritual insecurity. Something was off. I feared I would never trust the Love I had been taught so much about.

Coming to spiritual direction I found God inviting me to do less; to be as a child, to rest, to be loved. I learned that the “Good News” is actually. …well, …Good. I have a choice to live as a slave to my Lord or, simply live with My Lord as ‘friend’.

All are welcome to join me on this journey of desiring something more, something new – especially those in ministry and my fellow LGBT/SSA siblings.

I love hiking, skiing, flowers, my wife Renee, laughter, and our adult sons.

Email: Dan@soulcareseattle.com

Certificate in Spiritual Direction – Selah West – 2018

Certificate in Spiritual Direction and the Offering of the Spiritual Exercies – The Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirituality, Denver, CO – 2021

Renee Huie

For as long as I can remember, my heart’s desire has been to be with others in their spiritual journey. My own journey of suffering – both the pains and the graces that accompany it – has fueled a deep knowing of God’s unconditional love that I long to share with others.

I am a certified spiritual director, having completed two certificates – one in Contemplative Spiritual Direction through Selah (Leadership Transformations Intl) and the Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirituality.

Prior to the founding of Soul Care Seattle at The Layne, I worked as a burn nurse at Harborview Medical Ctr, as a mom, and as HR manager for our family business. With a passion for pastoral care, I serve on the vestry for our local church community. I am passionate about developing The Layne, reading, gardening, running, and all things outdoors. Dan and I have two grown sons.

Email: Renee@soulcareseattle.com

Certificate in Spiritual Direction – Selah West – 2019

Certificate in Spiritual Direction and the Offering of the Spiritual Exercies – The Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirituality, Denver, CO – 2021

Shelly Morse

I’m a certified spiritual director with a personal story of intimate partner and family betrayal. Because of my experience, I feel uniquely able to offer a safe, nonjudgmental setting for spiritual direction with those whose story may be similar.

My keen interest in sociology reveals that I am a listener and I seek to understand. The art of spiritual direction is one of listening both to the Holy Spirit and to the individual. I believe each individual is a unique and beautiful reflection of God with a story that is continuing to unfold. It is a joy to accompany others as we listen and watch together as the spiritual journey unfolds.

I’m a native of Seattle, a UW graduate and have been married 39+ years, have 4 grown children. I enjoy spending time with my 8 grandchildren, golfing, traveling, and creating.

Email: Shelly@soulcareseattle.com

Certificate in Spiritual Direction – CFDM, Seattle, WA

Clint Morse

Some of you may have already heard that our beloved Clint, through natural causes, found his way home to Christ Labor Day weekend.

None of us saw it coming and, needless to say, many of us are left with huge holes in our hearts. Clint’s legacy includes a huge and loving family of people that extends far beyond his wife, Shelly, and his family. Through Clint’s presence, leadership, and hope:

Clint’s legacy includes the community of
Soul Care Seattle @ The Layne.
His spirit and heart will forever be at the core of this place.

Since Clint’s passing that weekend, I keep finding myself caught up in wonder at this friend of ours. So self-depricating about his spiritual life and spiritual leadership, and at the same time, Clint was entrusted with so many beautiful souls under his care. I keep picturing Clint leading dozens and dozens, in duck-like “V-formation”, behind him, even as he himself was unsure about the journey ahead; unsure about his own worthiness and ability. He seemed only certain of his endpoint, the heart of a Loving God.

Clint had set his heart on pilgrimage.

As on a traditional pilgrimage, Clint picked up friends… so many friends along the way. Fellow sojourners – tired, wounded, outcast, successful – but all fellow travelers searching for Love. Clint both followed us and invited us into his journey to the Heart of Christ.

He was beautifully himself, beautifully Clint.
He was a pilgrim with a heart for others.

It was from his pilgrim heart of love that, along with Shelly, Renee, and myself, Soul Care Seattle at The Layne came to be. Together, the four of us longed to create a home for fellow sojourners, a home where pilgrim feet could rest, where pilgrims knew that they would be welcome to set down their loads regardless of how dirty they percieved themselves to be. Regardless of who the pilgrim is/was/will be, they have been and will be welcomed in love, and welcomed by Love.

And so it is. Clint – you who set your own heart on pilgrimage – thank you for your love, your friendship, encouragement, and leadership by example into The Heart of Love. Thank you for your part in leaving this lasting pilgrim’s home – The Layne and its ministry, Soul Care Seattle.

Thank you Clint, we love you!
From all of us pilgrims with Soul Care Seattle @ The Layne
& The Board: Shelly, Renee, Dan, and DonnaSome of you have reached out and asked how you can help during this heartbreaking time. Know that your kindness is much appreciated. Shelly has asked that in leiu of flowers that a donation to Soul Care Seattle be given in his memory.

Donna Kelley

I was introduced to spiritual direction shortly after leaving a spiritually abusive church many years ago. I completed certificates in Christian Formation I and II through CFDM Northwest (Christian Formation and Direction Ministries Northwest) and have enjoyed many years of group and individual spiritual direction as well as silent retreats, days of prayer and listening prayer groups.

These contemplative practices helped hold me together several years ago while we journeyed with our young son through some serious medical challenges. I’m beginning to understand that while God promises that we will have trouble in this world, he also promises to be with us. It is my desire to walk with others as we journey through the ups and downs of life, knowing that Emmanuel, God is with us.

Some of my greatest joys are creative writing, hiking, traveling, and spending time with my husband and our young adult daughter and teenage son, preferably on a beach.

Email: Donna@soulcareseattle.com

Resources

First We Were Loved – Daily Prayer Guide

Essential for a life rooted in God's love. Highly recommended for all.

Soul Care Seattle’s purpose is rooted in our core values:

Trinitarian

We are Trinitarian in our beliefs. We adhere to the Nicene creed. The work we do is our response to what we believe.

Contemplative

We believe that self-knowledge is essential for knowing God. And that a path to self-knowledge is contemplation - space, silence, prayer, and spiritual practices.

Mystery

We believe there is mystery to our lives, especially our spiritual lives. Our approach reflects this belief through open minds and hearts, a generous spirit, and free and gracious interactions.

Love

We believe love is most important. And that our hearts are more important than our heads.

Hospitality

We believe that we are Invited by Love to wide open spaces. We seek to make a return of that Love by offering heart, mind, time, & home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why practice Contemplative Prayer?

Most of us have never been formed in how to experience God as relationally present, active, and loving in our lives. Consequently, prayer feels one way, and often pointless. Consequently, our usual forms of prayer often increase our anxiety. Ultimately, the vast majority of us find ourselves practicing a sense of separation from a God who actually longs for union with each one of us. Developing the practice of "contemplation" opens the door to relationship.

What is Contemplative Prayer?

For many of us, prayer is threatening space to enter. We have tried prayer and we have tried to pray harder and better. We carry shame around prayer. Lots of it! In the west, we tend to think of things as measurable. "You are good at prayer. I am bad at prayer." "Women are good at prayer." But, in the contemplative space, prayer is not measurable. To the contemplative, prayer is simply a way of being in the world. Rather than praying words to God, though that may likely be a part of your contemplation, we quiet ourselves. In silence, and often stillness, we notice, observe, and listen. We open our hearts, ears, and eyes with curiosity toward, "How is God present in this moment?" "How is God wanting to relate to me? To us?" "How am I relating to God?" Our prayer then flows back and forth in a relational rhythm.

What is a Contemplative Prayer "Group" (Lectio, Centering, Listening, etc.)?

It is easy to conceive, based on the description above, that contemplative prayer is an individual practice. But, contemplative prayer in group settings is a gift! Lectio groups, centering prayer groups, listening prayer groups, and silent retreats are wonderful ways to designed with both the individual and the group in mind. Group settings allow for significant time of solitude, stillness, and silence for individual contemplative practice followed by a time to come together and share, thus the "group" dynamic. Sharing is not required and is always confidential. People share about what their time was like. Sometimes the time is difficult or filled with distractions. Other times it is relationally rich, healing, or profound. It doesn't matter. It is all a part of the journey and sharing our journey with one anther - contemplating each other's share, helps us to understand our own path.

Where Do I Begin with Contemplative Prayer?

Whether you are considering an individual practice or a prayer group, it is important to remember that we are all "always beginning". Sure, there is a familiarity to the practice, and in a gruop format, there is the usual "getting to know you" phase, but the prayer itself is uniquely yours. There is no "right way". There is no judgement or acheivement. Prayer is simply time spent with God and with self. St Teresa of Avila put it this way, "Prayer is nothing more than being on terms of relationship with God." Prayer, therefor, is like spending time with someone. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes hard. Sometimes we are tired and distracted. Sometimes it is lively, exciting, and bonding. One can never say what it will be like. One can only show up.

What is the point of Contemplative Prayer?

Contemplative Prayer is merely a path to deepening relationship with God. There is no end point; no "acheivement", no goal in contemplative prayer. It is maybe better to think of seasons. Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall. All have their place in the rhythms of prayer and in the deepening of relationships.

What is "Deconstruction"?

To many, the word "deconstruction" means a losing of faith, of being lost. To many, perhaps older Christians or those with an evangelical lense, to hear that someone is going through "deconstruction" may evoke feelings of fear and anxiety. But we have found it helpful to think about "deconstruction" as a way of sifting, of differentiating, and, hopefully coming to understand one's own faith. In most cases deconstruction is a part of maturing and a necessary step to healing.

If "Deconstruction" is good, why does it feel so bad?

The disorientation we experience in this season is profound. We find ourselves leaving a "world" that felt true, familiar, and perhaps safe. As we back up and gain perspective, we find that truth and love were not pure. We were unaware and the fact that we were unaware makes us wary of the idea that we will be safe again. It is, for many of us, as if our world turns upside down. It is as if we are holding a rope, swinging from a cliff in hopes of finding a new rope to land us safely to the other side. The other side; a place where we are truly known and loved, and where we are free to love ourselves and love others.

Deconstruction: am I losing my faith?

We would argue that, for many, deconstruction is a necessary step to finding your faith. We make up that to many at the time of Christ, there was a lot of "deconstruction" going on; a leaving of one way of being with God and community, a leaving of one identity for a new way of being and being with God. Like deconstruction, this leaving brought with it all sorts of fear, loss, freedom, and hope; but for those who engaged it, it led to deeper intimacy with God.

How can I keep God but deconstruct my faith?

Most people we walk with who are "deconstructing" are not seeking to loose God. Rather they are seeking God while trying to shed what was not God or "of God" in their church experience. A trusted spiritual director can help you navigate this lonely road by providing a listening and non-judgemental ear, safety and encouragement. You are not crazy, you are not bad. You are growing!