| FaithFest to offer adults spiritual renewal by Erik AlsgaardUMConnection Staff It began with a vision from adult lay people in the Baltimore-Washington Conference to have a spiritual retreat, spread out over a weekend, much like ROCK is for youth. That vision becomes reality Feb. 20-22, with the first ever FaithFest 2004. Like the ROCK event that gave birth to it, FaithFest will be held in Ocean City, but not at the convention center. FaithFests first year will be at the Carousel Hotel. This promises to be an uplifting spiritual retreat for adults, singles and couples, said Brenda Lewis, chair of FaithFest. Were going to have an unforgettable, spiritually uplifting weekend experience. Bishop Felton Edwin May is energized about the event. This is not the same old-same old, he said. This will be a time for adults to focus on their spiritual needs, form community and foster relationships that will last a lifetime. This will be done, the bishop said, in the context of a nurturing community, based for the weekend at the hotel. Dont come and expect to sit in your hotel room watching TV all weekend. T he Rev. Ed DeLong, associate council director, said that he became involved in FaithFest at the request of Bishop May. This is the first time were trying this new venture, DeLong said. FaithFest is envisioned to be a high energy, spiritual life experience for adults. The weekend, he said, will be filled with unique, hand-clapping, soul-stirring, worship, educational and devotional experiences, and at the same time, this will be a relaxing get away. Breakout sessions will offer liturgical dance lessons, aerobic and water aerobic exercise, prayer and praise and instruction in breadmaking. Titles for these sessions include: - Dance like David Danced;
- Break a Sweat for Jesus;
- Wade in the Water;
- Concert of Prayer;
- Lifting our Voice;
- Kneading the Bread of Life.
In addition, Lewis said, a labyrinth will be laid out on the beach, offering participants the opportunity to utilize this walking meditation tool.  Guest speaker will be the Rev. Tyrone Gordon, pastor of St. Luke Community UMC in Dallas, and a popular preacher at national events.
Praise and worship leader will be the contemporary Christian band Salvador, who played at ROCK 2003. Registration fee is $40, said Lewis, and registrations will be accepted through Feb. 6. To register, visit www.bwcumc.org, and click on the FaithFest information there, or call DeLong at (800) 492-2525, Ext. 432, or Lewis at (410) 225-3365. Hotel reservations must be made directly with the hotel at (800) 641-0011. | 
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