About Well Up...
Well Up understands that traditional religious spaces don't always work for everyone, and for many of us, not all the time. But that doesn't have to mean an end to spiritual growth. Spiritual wellness includes every aspect of our lives, even when we are trying to make sense of them. At Well Up, we aim to hold space for those who may feel left out, like they don't fit, or who have been hurt by those religious spaces that were supposed to feel safe. We do this by offering trauma-sensitive education and care so that people can feel supported as they reconstruct their faith or maybe even discover it for the very first time. Join us on the journey to listen. to heal. to grow.
More about Well UP:
In a lonely world, we are all craving connection...
"Well Up"
dfn:
to gradually or steadily flow upwards or outwards so as to begin to overflow...
to accumulate within one, (an emotion) to the point of overwhelming one...
to come up - as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things.
"welling up with tears..."
"emotion welled up inside of me..."
Well Up Spiritual Care is about providing meaningful spaces to experience connection with God, with ourselves and with one another. Often when we connect meaningfully we find ourselves "welling up" with emotion inside. These moments, when held in safe spaces, begin to bubble up and over, creating new growth and more meaningful connection. The accumulated experiences have the power to ripple out all over the world.
Lisa A. DeYoung
Your "Traveling Chaplain"
Lisa A. DeYoung has a BA in education, MA in Pastoral Care, and is a certified Spiritual Director. She has been trained as a chaplain, ordained as a Christian pastor, and has extensive cross-cultural teaching experience. Most recently she learned from and taught men in prison through the Calvin Prison Initiative. She is currently working on her Doctorate of Ministry degree in the area of Christian Spirituality with a potential focus on religious trauma. She is interested in reclaiming GOOD religion and healthy spirituality for those who struggle to find belonging in traditional religious spaces. She seeks to hold space and build bridges to healthy therapeutic and religious places that value all aspects of the human story and experience. She believes strongly in the power of healthy spirituality and life-giving religion to support a meaningful life. She hopes Well Up will invite people to listen deeply to their lives and be a safe space for deconstructing and reconstructing a vibrant faith.
Our Vision
Well Up Spiritual Care is committed to providing safe spaces for those who don't feel comfortable in traditional religious spaces. We offer trauma-sensitive spiritual direction for individuals and groups as well as educational experiences to support deep listening, healing and growth. We seek to build bridges to healthy therapeutic and religious spaces to help people thrive in all aspects of life. We believe in creativity to meet the unique spiritual needs of individuals and groups, which is why we collaborate with local creative professionals to offer excellent care. In addition, we are committed to supporting local and global non-profits that focus on uplifting marginalized groups.
