Recently, several members of our Wednesday evening Society of Simeon and Anna small group gathered for a meaningful fasting retreat, and I wanted to share the experience with our congregation.
There are currently two Simeon & Anna groups meeting monthly at WUMC. Each group has about 10 members and is reading Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie J. Thompson—a book recommended to churches by Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson. Each chapter focuses on a different spiritual discipline, and when we reached Chapter 6, “The Practice of Self-Emptying: Rediscovering the Fast,” we realized that most of us had never fasted before.
That realization sparked an idea between me and Rev. Helen Casey-Rutland: what if we hosted a retreat focused on the practice of fasting?
Out of that conversation came our May 31 Fasting Retreat. Participants were invited to begin their fast either at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30 or at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, depending on whether they wished to observe a 24- or 12-hour fast.
We began our Saturday morning gathered at a member’s home to go over the day’s agenda. From there, we stepped into nature for a guided forest bathing experience and a meditative walk through a labyrinth. In the afternoon, we spent time in discussion, learned to "pray in color," and practiced meditative breathing during a joyful laughing yoga session. We closed the day by singing favorite hymns and preparing a simple meal of rice, beans, and vegetables—breaking our fast together as a community.
The retreat left me deeply inspired. Since then, we’ve created a group text to stay connected, share prayer requests, and encourage one another to prioritize our spiritual practices. One participant and I have even committed to fasting once a month!
I was so blessed by this experience and can’t help but wonder if there are others in our congregation who would find meaning in a future fasting retreat. If you're interested in learning more or participating in a future event, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out to me at .
~ Barbara Monteith