Our events are open to all those desiring to grow deeper in their intimacy with God & each other.
We invite you attend these events offered by the Spiritual Formation Society of Washington.
Here are some other events offered by friends of the SFSWA.
Anxiety and Prayer: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 // 11pm-1pm AZ time zone
Location: online via zoom
In this insightful session, our guest presenter X. Nader Sahyouni, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Spiritual Director, will explore how not all prayer practices are equally helpful when dealing with anxiety. In this webinar, we will draw upon insights from psychotherapy, spiritual formation, and brain science to discover how to pray when we’re anxious in the present, walk through the root causes of anxiety with God, and prayerfully build resilience to better face anxiety in the future.
Led by SFSTX
Cost $25
X. Nader Sahyouni is a licensed clinical professional counselor and a spiritual director with a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation. He regularly speaks at retreats and conferences on the intersection of psychotherapy, spiritual formation, and brain science. Nader is the author of Anxiety Transformed: Prayer that Brings Enduring Change as well as The Three A’s of Anxiety: A Prayer Workbook. Nader lectures annually at North Park Theological Seminary’s Center for Spiritual Direction. He is Assistant Director of Spiritual Foundations for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship where he works to support InterVarsity staff nationally.
I Will Change Your Name
Saturday, May 16, 2026 // 9:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Covenant Bible Institute – 10810 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Lakewood, WA, 98499 US
A time of instruction, reflection, and immersion in God’s Word.
Names are sticky. A childhood nickname. Words that wound. A friend’s put-down.Or the quiet burden of an unspoken identity: failure… disappointment… not enough.
But the One who knows you best never uses those words to describe you. Jesus longs to free you—to heal you—from the false names you carry, so that you can more fully receive your true identity as a beloved child of God.
More than that, He desires for you to hear the life-giving words He is speaking uniquely to you—words of delight in who you truly are, His Beloved. Right now … exactly as you are … with your personality, your gifts, your calling, what stirs your heart, and the ways you love like Jesus, He has called you: His Beloved.
God knows your real name. Come and hear Him speak it over you.
Presentation & Practice
The rhythm of the day will move between presentation and spiritual exercises—experiences designed to help you identify, release, and find healing from false names, while creating space to hear God speak your true name.
Spiritual directors Marilyn Vancil and Krisi Sonneland will guide each session, along with personal and illustrative stories.
Cost $40 ($30 for early registration by May 1st) Price includes lunch
Led by:
Marilyn Vancil
Marilyn is an author, spiritual director, coach, and speaker with over 30 years of experience. She helps people listen to God, experience inner soul restoration, and live as their true, God-gifted selves.
Krisi Sonneland
Krisi is the Director of the Spiritual Formation Society of Washington, spiritual director, retreat guide and chaplain at Whitworth University. She holds a certificate in spiritual direction from Gonzaga University. She is passionate about helping people discover where Jesus is at work in their lives and find greater clarity for the road ahead.