I am writing this column late Tuesday night in my room at the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha, Iowa, where I am gathered with other Unitarian Universalist ministers and seminary students. We, the members of the Prairie Star Chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, meet here for three days each fall. Our time here is filled with a blend of learning, worshipping, connecting, and nurturing our own individual spirits.

Prairiewoods refers to this center as “a place for peace and transformation” and it is exactly that for me each time I come. The connection with colleagues is vital to my own ministry, as is a chance to focus on my own spiritual practice in a more spacious way than daily life encourages.

Where and when do you nurture your own spirit? Do you go on silent meditation retreats, solo camping trips in a favorite location, or to other places with deep meaning for you?

Even if you do not travel for those kinds of spiritual experiences, do you have space for them in your life—both literal space (even just a shelf that serves as a personal altar with whatever speaks to your soul) and space in your schedule?

My wish for each of you this week is that you receive spiritual nourishment both at UUFM and in other parts of your life. If you are interested in developing a spiritual practice but aren’t quite sure what that might be for you, let’s talk!