Way of the Spirit
What is it?
Participating
Is Way of the Spirit for you? We welcome sincere seekers from varied faith communities or none at all. Join our mailing list, or apply for the 2026-2027 program cohort.
FAQ
Answers to common questions about Way of the Spirit and Quaker spirituality, time commitment, what the people are like, scholarship options, Christianity and the Bible and more…
Resources
Access blog and program materials. Order Inner Light Soap.
Donations & Fees
Way of the Spirit is supported by participants’ fees and donations.
Application
Reflect with confidential application questions
What is Way of the Spirit?
An Invitation
Way of the Spirit offers a one-of-a-kind, highly engaging program for spiritual growth and faithful action. With relevant study materials, responsive teaching, and a collaborative learning community, participants step forward into courageous, Spirit-led efforts. The 2026-2027 program cycle will include ten online sessions and two residential retreats near Richmond, Indiana. Click the image below for details.
Invitation: Way of the Spirit Midwest
2026-2027 Program Details
Core Values
- That of God Within—Each of us is capable of growth in awareness and responsiveness to the Divine Indwelling through prayer and practice.
- Integration of Faith and Action—We seek to weave with integrity our inward spiritual lives and outward Spirit-led actions.
- Spirit-led universal ministry—Each can engage unique spiritual giftedness; each is called to unique service to others in large, small, or hidden ways.
- Blessed community—We are given to each other for discernment, encouragement, and growth in Spirit. We practice respectful community guidelines that help create sacred space for tender soul work.
- Listening in Tongues—We speak in the language of our heart about our own experiences of God, and listen for the Life of the Holy in others’ varied language. See the program handbook for more on “Listening in Tongues.”
- Quaker spirituality—We honor continuing revelation of the Holy through history, science, fresh and inclusive interpretations of the Bible, and interfaith appreciation; we share diverse welcoming theologies; As a historic peace church, we recognize the centrality of peace and social justice concerns for a life of faithfulness.
- Contemplation—Our experience is rooted in contemplative prayer—broadly defined as mostly wordless trusting and opening of the self to Divine Presence.
- Transformation— We seek to be changed by the workings of the Holy within, and between us, toward who we are meant to be. We hold the tensions of seeming ambiguities and stretch in Grace.
About Staff
Christine Betz Hall—Way of the Spirit founder, director, presenter and retreat facilitator (2012-present), spiritual director/companion, retreat leader, GOOD NEWS Associate and Executive Director, former adjunct faculty Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry (2013-2019), and member of Whidbey Island Friends Meeting (Quaker) in North Pacific Yearly Meeting. Learn more on Chris’ blog here.
Jan Wood—Way of the Spirit guest presenter on Blessed community, forgiveness, spiritual giftedness. Former pastor, teacher, administrator and executive director of Good News Associates (1998-2024), author of Practicing Discernment Together: Finding God’s Way Forward in Decision Making and Christians at Work: Not Business as Usual, and member of North Seattle Friends Church, Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting of Friends.
Elders, Spiritual Accompaniment—Attending each Way of the Spirit mini-course is an “elder.” Varied program alumni and others gifted in prayer, discernment, companioning, and pastoral care serve program leadership and participants in that role. 2021-24 Elders included: Diane Beebe, Katie Buckley, Al Hendrix, Patty Federighi, Cathy Walling, and…
Additional Guest Presenters—Since Way of the Spirit began in 2012, these leaders have offered wisdom on varied topics during program sessions: Marge Abbott, Wess Daniels, Noah Merrill, Cathy Walling, Colin Saxton, Becky Wood, and Craig Rennebohm.
Participating
Who participates?
Join a welcoming community of participants and staff who foster each others’ faithfulness. Participants are Quakers and others aligned with the Way of the Spirit’s commitment to contemplative prayer, experiential learning, and Spirit-led action. Supporting young adults and faithful leadership are core intentions of the 2026-2027 program cycle.
Residential Retreats:
Residential retreats during the 2026-2027 program cycle will take place at a Quaker retreat house near Richmond, Indiana.
Online Sessions:
Way of the Spirit gathers via Zoom video conferencing in a highly interactive format, far from a passive webinar. Zoom time can be playful, experiential, relational, reflective, and deeply infused with the Spirit. The sessions are respectful of our bodies, and even energizing.
Expansiveness, spaciousness, and stretching of my sense of what constitutes prayer… This was a deftly organized, richly resourced feast of possibilities.
Between online sessions, participants integrate retreat themes through prayer, journaling, “spiritual experiments” and assigned written reflections. After or between sessions, participants may meet one-to-one with program staff for personal spiritual accompaniment.
What do participants say?
I count my Way of the Spirit experiences as absolutely pivotal in my spiritual journey. It was a launching pad that continues to enrich my personal “way of the spirit.” – Carmela A. alumna
Way of the Spirit has offered me a trustworthy place of grounding and centering which I’ve found hard to find in everyday life and in my community. I’ve longed for such connections for years. It has provided a structure for me to reflect on my own along with other seekers in an authentic and safe environment. The chaos I feel with current news cycles has deepened my need for connections with others and with the Spirit. Way of the Spirit continues to provide a way to make and cultivate those connections. – Vicki M., alumna
This last year has been something special for me… There has been MUCH change, most of it life-altering, most of it strangely enough feeling ok since I was pretty sure that God was running the show and directing the outcomes. The discovering and naming of Gifts is right up there with the top five life-changing events of my life, and has forever changed the trajectory of my efforts for the rest of my time on this planet. – Al H. alumni
I’m in complete awe of what [Chris has] created: the balance between mystical experience and intellectual rigor. –Julie P. guest presenter
I am so blessed to have the Way of the Spirit experience – it has added huge dimensions to my life – major expansions of my concepts of God, spiritual practice, discernment, community, giftedness, eldering and – well, every topic in the program. And my life as a result has so much added joy and awareness. I do hope my actions this year will stem from that deeper place of Love, even when stress is high. I am also aware that I must listen to nudges and be open to my blind spots. – Anne M. alumna
I am so grateful to Chris for facilitating what was hands and away the most dynamic, educational and inspiring Quaker program in which I’ve ever participated. – Suzanne R. alumna
I loved so many resources and readings that [Chris] offered and the time together was certainly rich. I especially loved the small break-out [groups]. The guest speakers set the tone and I so appreciated them too. All of it expanded my understanding of prayer and spiritual life and getting to let go of the “shoulds” that I carried around, unknowing for so long. I appreciated the ways [Chris] organized different ways for us to be engaged: readings, on-line site, emailing and praying with [others],…[The] enthusiasm was infectious. –Carrie F. mini-course participant
FAQ
What is Quaker spirituality?
Inner awareness of the Spirit informs outward concerns, including traditional Quaker witness and actions for peace, justice, equality, care of creation and more. Personal spirituality is complemented by communal experiences of worship, mutual care, and group discernment.
If you’re curious, watch the 20 minute QuakerSpeak video, “What Do Quakers Believe?”
What does it mean that Way of the Spirit is a "Quaker-Christian" program?
How is Way of the Spirit connected to Quakers?
Way of the Spirit is not affiliated with any Quaker faith community, organization, or institution. It is a ministry of the independent non-profit, GOOD NEWS Associates. GNA provides a financial home, board oversight, primary discernment and support.
Christine Hall, the founder-director of Way of the Spirit, is a Quaker and an active member of Whidbey Island Friends Meeting (WA), part of North Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. She modeled Way of the Spirit on the respected East Coast program, School of the Spirit, with their blessing. An “anchor committee” under the care of Whidbey Island Friends Meeting accompanies Chris with prayer and encouragement. Members include people from varied Quaker meetings and churches.
What is the Way of the Spirit's "experiential" approach?
The specifics of your life, character, skills, giftedness, and inner sensibilities matter in the life of faith. Way of the Spirit seeks to integrate the whole of our experiences in the Holy. The ordinary, or practical, and the “spiritual” weave one Reality.
We learn by trying things ourselves and reflecting on what happens in us. Sessions invite participants into “spiritual experiments,” and like most experiments, results vary widely. The emphasis is less on what you believe or think about God; we seek to explore the how’s, when’s, and where’s of your faithfulness. We aim for body, mind, and emotions all leaning into “Yes” to Holy Guidance.
What are the people like in Way of the Spirit?
The community that’s developed around Way of the Spirit has been really, really good for me, even though we come from very different places. The people are so amazing—amazingly open, amazingly thoughtful. All of us are in it because we want to grow and deepen. —Norma S., participant
Participants and staff are warm, open-hearted, authentic, vulnerable, thoughtful, seeking… Our group intentions foster a sacred hospitality for each one’s unique soul work. The foundation for our welcoming community includes the discipline of no fixing, no advising, and no correcting each other (from Parker Palmer’s Center for Courage and Renewal). We share our stories and struggles honestly, then listen and respond to each other in Life-affirming ways.
What is the time commitment for Way of the Spirit?
- Participants must plan to attend all retreats and Saturday sessions. Our group work depends on mutual commitment to being available for each other.
- Two residential retreats: 3 nights, four days each near Richmond, Indiana
- Ten online sessions: 4 hours each (including breaks) on Saturdays, every month or so. These are live (not recorded), interactive learning sessions, with teaching segments, integration exercises, and small group reflection. Sessions are not recorded except with participants’ approval for family emergencies.
- Personal prayer or spiritual practice, 30-60 minutes/day: Participants commit to daily prayer in a form that’s meaningful to them. Varieties of prayer and spiritual practice are woven through Way of the Spirit that stretch us to connect with God in new ways. We also introduce and especially encourage the practice of Centering Prayer (as taught by Thomas Keating and Cynthia Bourgeault).
- Reading, 3-5 hours/month: For each online session or retreat, expect preparatory readings between 90-100 pages. Most readings are brief articles or pamphlets, usually available electronically. Reading beforehand allows participants to gather with a foundation of shared vocabulary, and the beginnings of stirrings on a session theme.
- Writing, 2 hours/month: A writing prompt is assigned after each session for casual, personal reflection. Participants post to a private web page for other participants and staff. We nurture the collaborative learning community by reading and responding to others’ posts.
- Optional individual spiritual accompaniment, 1 hour as needed: Program staff welcome one-on-one conversation with participants during residential retreats or after online sessions. When the topic raises questions or someone feels stuck, it can really help!
Way of the Spirit is no small effort! The time commitment is meant to be more involved and sustained than a one-off retreat experience, but less than a degree program. The ones who put in the time are the ones who get the most out of it.
What tech do I need?
- A computer or tablet that can connect to Zoom video conferencing.
- The bigger the screen, the better you’ll be able to see and engage with others in the group of 10-16 people. A laptop is much better than a tablet. Phones are rarely satisfying.
- Update your Zoom app to the latest version for best connection https://zoom.us/download
- The widest bandwidth setting possible for your location: (5G over 2.5G). One participant was kicked out of a meeting three times till she figured this out.
- Space with private video and audio.
- Check your lighting so we can see your smile.
- Headphones can help focus attention and presence with each other.
- The screen and audio need to be visible and audible to you alone. We help each other guard the container of our attention and private sharing. Best is a separate room, where no one will interrupt you or walk through the camera view.
How can I get help with fees?
Way of the Spirit, a program of GOOD NEWS Associates, is supported through participant fees. GNA is committed to making the program financially accessible to participants, as well as honestly self-supporting. Program fees allow for a modest wage for the full time director, plus stipends to guest speakers and spiritual accompaniment. Residential retreat fees include substantial costs of food and lodging. Additional generous donations help make up the gaps.
- Some participants have received funding support from their faith communities. Please ask.
- Or explore outside grants, including the Quaker-based Lyman Fund. Contact Tracy Booth: tdbooth@earthlink.net. They offered $3,000-5,000 to Way of the Spirit participants in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2020. A comprehensive application is due to the Lyman Fund September 15th or March 15th
- Inquire about limited Way of the Spirit scholarship funds by emailing christine@goodnewsassociates.org.
Resources
Blog: Blackberries & Burning Bushes
Program themes weave the ordinary and the holy in Chris’s writings: experiential learning, contemplative listening, the inner life of faithfulness, “God-language” and more…
The handbook explores the Way of the Spirit approach to spiritual exploration through prayer, learning, and community. Contents include: community guidelines and mutual commitments; how to “listen in tongues;” and using WayOnline, the private online community.
Click image on the left to view/download the handbook
Prayer and Spiritual Practice
- Eat Your Spiritual Oatmeal– An introduction to the regular practice of spiritual centering, and implications for faithful action.
- Examen — An approachable guidebook to the Ignatian Examen of Consciousness: Examen Ewe (you): A Tool for Spiritual Integrity
- “Forgiveness in a World Aflame” – Western Friend article by Christine Hall, January 2024
- Lament or “Groaning Our Prayers” – A reflection inspired by the beginning of war in Ukraine.
- Welcoming Prayer – Introduction and guided meditation
Recommended Books
- Bourgeault, Cynthia. Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening. Cambridge, Mass.: Cowley Publications, 2004. Print. A more scholarly and thorough exploration of the inner life with God by an Episcopal priest and core teacher in the Center for Action and Contemplation; Bourgeault explores how contemplative practice assists growth in personal psychological and spiritual awareness. It’s the best explanation I’ve found for the transformations I’ve seen happen in participants of Way of the Spirit. Most relevant chapter titles: Deeper Silence, Deeper Self; Handling Thoughts During Prayer Time; Attention of the Heart.
- Dandelion, “Ben” Pink. The Quakers: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2008. Print If you are new to Friends, this book is a solid theological and historical introduction, despite the author’s name (there’s a good story…).
- McLaren, Brian D. Naked spirituality: a life with God in 12 simple words. HarperOne, 2012. A leader in the “emerging church” movement of contemporary Christianity resonates with the core of Quaker spirituality. Short, readable chapters explore a straightforward approach to: Here, Thanks, Sorry, Help, Behold, Yes, and more…
- Nouwen, Henri J. M., Michael J. Christensen, and Rebecca Laird. Spiritual formation: following the movements of the spirit. New York: HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2010. Print. A posthumous collection of 20th century writings by a beloved Roman Catholic priest and teacher. His humility and openness are warm and inviting. His wisdom and spiritual exercises are potent. Most relevant chapter titles: Spiritual Formation: the Way of the Heart; From Illusion to Prayer; Journey Inward, Journey Outward;
- Silf, Margaret. Inner Compass: An Invitation to Ignatian Spirituality. Tenth Anniversary Edition ed. Chicago: Loyola, 1999. Print. A readable and inclusive reworking of the spirituality of Ignatius of Loyola (1500’s).
- Stabile, Suzanne. The Journey Toward Wholeness: Enneagram Wisdom for Stress, Balance, and Transformation. Intervarsity Press, 2021.
- Thurman, Howard. Meditations of the heart. Beacon Press, 1999. A Baptist minister and theologian, Thurman’s writing reveals him a “friend of Friends” (Quakers). Try dipping in and out of these brief meditations on varied topics. A few of many relevant essays: An Island of Peace within One’s Soul, How Good It Is To Center Down, I Surrender Myself to God.
- Wolff, Christine. The inner guide versus the inner critic: the journey from judgment to love. Pendle Hill Pamphlet. 448, Pendle Hill Publications, 2017. Sorting “what is of God” within us from other influences or “voices” is central to the Way of the Spirit journey. The author’s psychological expertise complements Quaker spirituality with very helpful insights, experiential exercises, and reflection questions.
Order Inner Light handmade natural soap, currently available in clove-honey or lemon-honey (July 2025). A $5 suggested donation supports the Way of the Spirit program.
Donations & Fees
$3,200: Cost to participate in the Way of the Spirit Midwest program cycle, January 2026 – Fall 2027.
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- One half of program fees are due before sessions begin. The remainder will be due in January 2027.
- As space allows: $100 to attend the first online session as a trial, January 24, 2026. Remaining fees apply if you decide to continue.
- Payment will be received by Western Yearly Meeting. Details to follow.
Program fees include:
- Online and residential retreat sessions
- Optional individual spiritual accompaniment with program staff
- Access to private online community
- Assigned readings available electronically
If you need financial assistance:
- Many participants receive funding support from their faith communities.
- Substantial resources are available through Quaker organizations, especially for young adults. Contact Tom Rockwell of Western Yearly Meeting (Quakers).
- Outside grants include the Lyman Fund. Contact Tracy Booth: tdbooth@earthlink.net. They supported Quaker Way of the Spirit participants in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2020. A comprehensive application is due to the Lyman Fund September 15th or March 15th.
- Inquire about limited Way of the Spirit scholarship funds by emailing Christine Hall.
- If you are able to provide scholarship assistance to other participants, please contact Christine Hall. Or, you can click the Donate button below. You will be directed to the GOOD NEWS Associates PayPal page. Select “Donations to WotS Scholarships” from the “Use this donation for…” dropdown menu.