Hands and Feet Fellows Attend the Manna Retreat @ Montreat

In late January, the six young adult fellows from Hands and Feet of Asheville (HFA) embarked on a meaningful journey to the Manna Retreat at Montreat Conference Center. The three-day retreat brought together young adults from across the country, creating a space for deep conversations, spiritual reflection, and joyful connection. Through keynote addresses, small groups, worship, and time spent in community, our fellows engaged in powerful moments of growth and discovery.

Reflections from Our Fellows

Zoe: Finding Faith in Lament

"The Manna Retreat was a meaningful experience for me, filled with fellowship, shared meals, and deep reflection. One of the biggest takeaways was the concept of lament and the beauty found in pain. I spent time reflecting on how suffering and feelings of forsakenness by God are not new but have been experienced throughout history, even by Jesus on the cross as he cried out, ‘Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani’ (God, why have you forsaken me?). This retreat strengthened my understanding of lament and deepened my faith in a new way. It also allowed me to grow closer to my Hands and Feet cohort through shared moments of laughter, fun, and meaningful conversations. The retreat reminded me of the power of community and faith in navigating life's struggles.”

Inspired by the reflections on lament, Zoe wrote a poem as a prayer of both sorrow and hope:

Living, breathing God, we know that Your Spirit is with us and that You are alive. Yet, for those who have been faithful, there is great despair. Why, Lord? Why? We call upon You. Bring light to those facing discord, deep healing to the broken, and forgiveness after the storms have passed. We will serve You, Lord, wholeheartedly, with all that we are. In the new, help us to see Your faithfulness, Your covenant, and to serve You more fully.

JyMia: Strength and Faith

JyMia, Megan, and Amaya exploring Montreat.

"My favorite part about the Manna Retreat was the connections we made during the weekend. One thing I took away is that you should always be strong in who you are, no matter what or who is watching. The retreat gave us time to reflect and explore our faith through conversations, silent hours, and worship songs. The Book of Psalms was a focus throughout the retreat, and I really enjoyed the songs of God. Everyone should experience this retreat at least once."

Megan: Connection Through Nature

For Megan, the highlights of the retreat were the simple joys of meeting new people, hiking, and practicing yoga. The peaceful moments in nature provided time for personal reflection and connection with both the HFA cohort and other attendees.

Christian: Overcoming Barriers to Connection

"One thing I reflected on during the Manna Retreat was how much easier and more comforting it was to meet new people in such a welcoming environment. Everyone there was friendly and open, which helped diminish the usual assumptions and fears I have about starting conversations. If I get the chance to go again, my main goal will be to meet even more people and form relationships that extend beyond the three-day retreat. It was a great experience!"

Amaya: Embracing Life’s Journey

"My favorite part of the retreat was getting to meet other young adults who are also trying to figure out life. It was comforting to realize that I am not alone in this journey. The session on orientation, disorientation, and reorientation resonated with me deeply—it reminded me that no matter what season I am in, I won’t be stuck in that cycle forever. The retreat didn’t necessarily deepen my faith in a traditional sense, but it made me want to strengthen my spirituality and explore what that means for me."

A Weekend of Growth and Belonging

The Manna Retreat provided our fellows with a transformative experience, strengthening their bonds with one another and deepening their reflections on faith, spirituality, and community. Through laughter, shared meals, and meaningful conversations, they discovered that in every season of life—whether of joy, questioning, or lament—we belong to God.

We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this retreat and look forward to seeing how these experiences continue to shape the journey of our Hands and Feet fellows. Thank you to all our supporters who make these enriching opportunities possible, especially the Presbytery of Western North Carolina who helped pay for this experience for our Fellows!