Founders & Board Members

Renee Huie - Founder & Board Member

My heart’s desire has forever been to accompany others in their spiritual journey. My own journey has fueled a deep knowing of God’s unconditional love and presence that I long to share with others, especially the marginalized and the recovery community.

Prior to founding this ministry, I served as a burn nurse at Harborview Medical Ctr, a mom, an HR manager, and in church leadership. I am passionate about developing Soul Care Seattle, reading, gardening, running, and all things outdoors.

Shelly Morse - Founder & Board Member

I’m a certified spiritual director, my story involves betrayal and loss. I feel uniquely able to offer a safe, nonjudgmental setting for spiritual direction with those whose story may be similar.

I’m a native of Seattle, a UW graduate and was married 42 years to my late husband and co-founder of Soul Care Seattle, Clint Morse. I have 4 grown children and enjoy spending time with my 8 grandchildren, traveling, and creating.

Dan Huie - Founder & Board Member

When I first came to spiritual direction I had a great deal of bible knowledge. I also had a great deal of spiritual insecurity.

Coming to spiritual direction I found God inviting me to do less; to be as a child, to rest, to be loved.

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, golf(?), my wife Renee, laughter, and our adult sons.

Donna Kelley - Board Member

I was introduced to spiritual direction many years ago after leaving a spiritually abusive church. It was life-transforming. Spiritual Direction and other contemplative practices have sustained me during many seasons of uncertainty.

I enjoy creative writing, reading, travelling and spending time with my husband and our two adult children, preferably on a beach.

Megan Wong - Board Member

I first came to Soul Care Seattle seeking guidance and groundedness in a transition season. This ministry has since become a special place to rest in God and remember my truest identity.

I’m honored to serve as the board Treasurer. Professionally, I help nonprofit leaders clarify and execute their strategy through training, coaching, and fractional staffing.

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!