What is Well for the Journey?
Well for the Journey is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that encourages and supports spiritual wellness, connection, and community. Our goal is to help people explore ways to integrate spirituality into their daily lives in a safe, inclusive space. In all that it does, the Well seeks to raise awareness about the importance of spirituality in helping people live into deeper and more meaningful lives. Our programs help to nourish and renew individuals from the inside out, enabling them to better care for the world around them. We are not associated with a specific religion or faith community. Read our mission and guiding principles. We are located at 120 W. Seminary Avenue, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093.
What is spirituality?
At the Well, we define spirituality as the aspect of humanity that refers to the way that people:
- seek and express meaning and purpose,
- experience their connectedness to the significant or the sacred, and
- experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, and to nature
Spirituality generally includes one or more of the following: a belief in a power operating in the universe that is greater than oneself, a sense of interconnectedness with all living creatures, and an awareness of the purpose and meaning of life and the development of personal values. Spirituality is associated with hope, inner peace, compassion, and finding meaning. Spirituality is broader than religion; religion can be part of one’s spirituality, but that is not always so.
What if I'm not sure what I believe?
The Well was created to be a safe, inclusive space for everyone, regardless of belief. Many people coming to the Well are just beginning to explore their spirituality. Programs offer the opportunity for spiritual exploration without fear, without judgment, without “strings attached.” The Well invites individuals to come together with others to nourish and sustain their daily lives as well as their spiritual lives, no matter where they are in their journeys. We look beyond our differences to our common humanness and our vital, often unrecognized, desire to connect with God or something bigger than ourselves. Read an interview with co-founder Mabeth Hudson on the Well’s mission.
What types of programs does the Well offer?
Practical issues such as forgiveness, the busyness of everyday life, listening, compassion, life transitions, nature, suffering, grief, and kindness are all recurring themes in the Well’s programming. There are also programs ranging from mindfulness and meditation, to creative journaling and mystics. Small groups such as Women at the Well and the Horizons Men’s Group offer the opportunity to gather together for spiritual nourishment. In Group Spiritual Direction, men and women meet monthly, in groups of five or six, to listen for how a greater power is present and working in their lives. The sharing for all programs stays in the group and remains confidential. See our event calendar for upcoming programs. Registration is required for all programs.
Please note: Participants will discover that Well programs require thoughtful self-examination and an ability to share and reflect within a group context. It is expected that participants will articulate and agree to group norms facilitated at the start of the program by the program leader.
The Well offers a free Daily Faith Reflection Program where a quote is emailed each weekday morning with a message with which to start your day. Sign up for our Daily Faith Reflection emails here.
We also have a once-weekly e-newsletter “For Your Journey” which helps you to stay up to date on everything happening at the Well. You can sign up for it here.
And, you can find us on social media on Facebook, Instragram, and LinkedIn.
Does the Well offer individual or group therapy?
The Well does not offer individual or group counseling or therapy. Our programs are not psychotherapy or counseling, nor are they substitutes. We are glad to provide you with recommendations for licensed therapists or pastoral counselors in the area. Please call the office at 410-296-9355.
What is group spiritual direction?
Group Spiritual Direction (GSD) is focused on spiritual companioning, meaning a small group develops a deeper sense of community and promises to pray for each other. In the gathering time, we are listeners and not advice-givers or problem solvers. Group Spiritual Direction is a discernment model in that we are listening to how a larger presence is at work in our lives and we offer that to each other. As with all of our programs, the sharing stays in the group and remains confidential. Please call us at 410-296-9355 for information on small groups for spiritual direction or for a list of spiritual directors.
I can't afford some of your programs. Do you provide financial support?
Well for the Journey believes that financial limitations should not prevent anyone from being able to participate in a Well program. The Well Program Scholarship Fund exists to provide a reduction in fees for most program offerings. To apply for a financial scholarship, the application can be downloaded here, or call the office at 410-296-9355 to have a copy sent to you. You can also pay for programs in installments. We have gift certificates if a family member or friend would like to gift a program to you. Gift certificates are available in any amount and for any program. Please call us at 410-296-9355 for more information.
What is your inclement weather policy?
For our online programs, we don’t have the need to postpone or cancel for weather-related events. For in-person programs, facilitator-led communication will dictate action during inclement weather. Classes postponed due to inclement weather will be rescheduled.
Are you looking for volunteers?
Yes! The Well relies on its volunteer network to help in many different capacities. Please call us at 410-296-9355 for more information or fill out our Volunteer Interest form here.
