Academy for Spiritual Formation

Hello friends!

I’m thrilled to serve on the team of a 4 Day Academy at Camp Sumatanga planned for this Fall! I wanted to get the word out. I think some of you might be interested. I hope you can come.

We have some “big name” faculty this year, and of course the Academy rhythm is itself amazing. If you’ve never been on an Academy for Spiritual Formation, a program ministry of the Upper Room, this is a great time to be refreshed and renewed.

The Academy saved my life and ministry years ago, when I was discovering there was something contemplative welling up inside of me. It enlivened my longings to immerse them in centuries of Christian tradition.

We will be asking: What does it mean to be “Alive with Christ?” This holy question is inspired by the late, great American mystic Howard Thurman.  

One of our faculty, Luther E. Smith Jr., is a Thurman scholar and Professor Emeritus of Church & Community at Candler School of Theology. Two will serve as additional faculty:  Vivianne and Nate Foster. Nate is the son of Richard Foster whose spiritual writings you may know. Vivianne and Nate host Vilayala Retreat Center in Canada. “Vilayala” means life unhurried. What a beautiful idea!

May I suggest you sign up and invite friends and family to join you for some spiritual aliveness October 5-9?

Find out more and register here:  http://www.umcna.org/4DaySFA

If you have questions don’t hesitate to contact me! I can also send you a link to the brochure. Just let me know.

I hope to see you in October of 2026!

Easter Message from President Trump

I am making public this letter I sent to Senators Britt and Tuberville and my Congressman Gary Palmer.

Lives are at stake, my friends, as are international relations. The stakes are huge. And this hyper-militaristic “Christian nationalism” finding voice in this administration must be exposed.

If you wonder why I would post this on Easter Sunday, the real question should be why did he?

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Dear Senator/Congressman,

I write to you today, on Easter Sunday, with deep concern and a sense of moral urgency.

This morning, I was troubled and frankly outraged by a public statement from Donald Trump on Truth Social. The tone—marked by profanity, inflammatory rhetoric, and what appeared to be cavalier references to potential acts of war—was deeply disturbing. Even more grievous to me was the mocking tone toward Islam, particularly on a sacred day in the Christian calendar.

As a person of faith, I believe words matter. Scripture teaches that the tongue has the power of life and death, and that those entrusted with leadership bear an even greater responsibility for the consequences of their speech. When rhetoric escalates, especially in matters of international conflict, it does not remain merely words—it shapes policy, posture, and ultimately human lives.

I am especially concerned about the potential for escalating conflict with Iran. History has shown us how quickly miscalculation, provocation, or reckless language can lead to devastation in war. Any suggestion—implicit or explicit—of actions that would violate international law or target civilian populations must be unequivocally rejected.

I urge you, as my elected representative, to:

* Exercise strong Congressional oversight regarding any military posture or escalation involving Iran

* Publicly affirm the United States’ commitment to international law and the protection of civilian life

* Call for restraint in both language and action from all national leaders

* Work actively to prevent a slide toward catastrophic escalation of conflict in the Middle East

From my Christian perspective, this moment calls not for mockery or provocation, but for humility, restraint, and a commitment to peace. Easter reminds us that the way of Christ is not domination or destruction, but sacrificial love and reconciliation.

I ask you to act—clearly, courageously, and quickly—to help ensure that our nation does not stumble into war escalation that could have been prevented.

Respectfully,


Rev. Steve West

Irondale, Alabama