A church where wellness meets spirituality

[mwai_chat context=”Let’s have a discussion about this article:nnNEW YORK (RNS) — A holistic wellness retreat in a glass-sided building overlooking the East River began on a recent Saturday with hot tea, an opening keynote and a meditation. After brunch came an afternoon of workshops with themes such as “eat your way to calm,” “somatic healing” and “intuitive artmaking.” All was about what you’d expect, except that instead of concluding the opening meditation with “Namaste,” the leader wrapped up with, “In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”
The Well Church NYC — more often simply called “The Well” — describes itself as a “church where wellness meets spirituality in community.” The congregation, which worships on Sunday mornings in rented space at the Scandinavia House on Park Avenue, also hosts wellness retreats, rooftop dinners and pop-up meditations across the city throughout the year. While rooted in the Presbyterian tradition, Well Church NYC hosts events that are aimed at people on a broader spiritual search.
“A normal New Yorker is not a Christian,” said Pastor Aaron Bjerke. “A normal New Yorker is probably driven by success or money but ultimately trying to find purpose in life. I thought if I were ever to plant a church, it needs to be a church for the normal New Yorker.” 

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