Advent Spirituality Center

History

The energy generated from two important, continuing gatherings around Mars Hill, N.C., helped birth ASC. The first, the Gathering of Baptists and Others Interested in Spirituality, started in the early 90s and continues today. The people attracted to the first few events contributed time, creativity and spiritual energy — gifts that became a catalyst for the Center’s formation. The second source was “prayer and soup,” a small weekly gathering to enjoy contemplative prayer sessions followed by community lunch. This delightful, inclusive group continues to meet each Thursday at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in a rural setting near Mars Hill, and provides a model for other such meetings. The Center is currently preparing a manual to guide others in forming their own such times together.

Many people contributed to the birth of ASC, but two spiritual leaders pushed, poked and prodded to make the dream a reality: Paula Clayton Dempsey who now serves as coordinating director of ASC, and Thomas B.Turner, a practicing spiritual director and owner and director of Listening House in Greenville, S.C.

With their leadership, a number of other committed people began discussions in the mid-90s. It took a few years to nurture and clearly define the dream, but Advent Spirituality Center was incorporated in March 1999. The founding members included Pauline Binkley Cheek, Paula Dempsey, Betty Haywood, Woodrow W. "Jerry" Jarrell, Sara Beth Terrell and Thomas B. Turner. These people and others formed a Steering Committee that shepherded ASC until a Board of Directors was elected and bylaws approved in 2000. Tom Turner and Pauline Cheek crafted the bylaws, which were later re-worked by Cathy Tamsberg, one of the original Board members. In January 2001, ASC received official designation by the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit organization according to the IRS Code in section 501 (c) (3).

The original Board of Directors for the ASC were Loyd Allen and Claudia Dickerson, co-presidents; and Mary Caldwell, Jack Causey, Betty Haywood, Joyce Hollyday, Jane Litzinger, Ted Purcell, Cathy Tamsberg and Sister Peg Verstege. Currently there are 15 members of the Board of Directors representing Baptist, Episcopalian and United Methodist traditions. E. Glenn Hinson, William Clemmons and Anne Thomas Neil serve the Board as Honorary Lifetime Directors.

The Center’s best-known activity is “The Gathering,” which Anne Thomas Neil describes as “…a much anticipated annual event…where we share stories of our spiritual journeys, observe periods of silence, listen to words of wisdom from recognized pilgrims on the journey, pray often, sing, worship and, if we choose, dance together for the glory of God!”

	Featured themes and speakers at “The Gathering” have included:
2001	The Other Sacred Book: Nature in Spiritual Formation and Practice with Richard Austin
2003	Like Those Who Dream with Ben Curtis
2005	Centered in Christ, a Contemplative Way with Bill Clemmons
2006	Rhythms of Life with Jerry Webber
2007	Walking in the Light with Michael Birkel

Another popular event is the E. Glenn Hinson Spiritual formation Institute originally held in 2002 featuring faculty members Loyd Allen and Karen Smith, both former students of Glenn Hinson. The 2004 Hinson Institute featured Glenn Hinson and Stephanie Ford as faculty. The popularity of these sessions has demonstrated the desire for a more comprehensive program to offer church leaders support and accountability for developing a sustaining life of prayer. Plans for such a program are currently being developed.

Other opportunities for spiritual nurture sponsored by ASC have included a Creating Space Retreat led by Lynda Poston-Smith that draws people interested in exploring the arts as a way to deepen spirituality. A Contemplative Day Apart, which takes place prior to the annual Alliance of Baptists Convocation, provides a model for stepping out of the hustle of modern-day life. The Center also sponsored Father Thomas Keating in a two-day Centering Prayer workshop in July 2000 that drew several hundred individuals.

One of the purposes of ASC is to develop resources to nurture spiritual formation. The first resource developed was “An Interview with E. Glenn Hinson,” a recorded conversation between Glenn Hinson and Loyd Allen. Most recently the Center has produced “Invitation to Silence,” a CD featuring music of Lynda Poston-Smith to frame silence and centering prayer, and a new edition of William Clemmon’s classic book “Discovering the Depths.”

The energy that contributed to the founding of Advent Spirituality Center continues to nurture its slow but steady growth. The vision statement adopted by the Board of Directors at its 2006 Fall board retreat reads: “The Advent Spirituality Center nurtures the quest for a deepening life in God.” The Center welcomes all who are on that quest.