Established in 2012, the Rueben P. Job Institute for Spiritual Formation is an initiative for continuing education in spiritual formation of laity and clergy, named after a renown figure in the field of spiritual formation, Bishop Rueben P. Job.
An alumnus of Garrett, Bishop Job’s ministry pioneered spiritual formation practices within The United Methodist Church. During his lifetime, Bishop Job was at the forefront in spiritual formation, serving as consultant in Christian spirituality, spiritual retreat leader, spiritual guide, and author or co-author of more than 20 books.
The Institute, as well as the Rueben P. Job Endowed Chair in Spiritual Formation, are a lasting legacy to Bishop Job’s lifelong commitment to his field and ensures that Garrett continues to prepare well-formed spiritual leaders for many generations.
Dr. Rolf R. Nolasco Jr. is the Rueben P. Job Professor of Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Theology at Garrett-Evangelical and director of the Rueben P. Job Institute for Spiritual Formation. He is an experienced professor, trained in pastoral and counseling psychology, mindfulness and contemplative spirituality, and affective neuroscience.
Women clergy of color need more than verbal affirmation. They need material support. Embodied solidarity. Rest. These convictions sat at the heart of the Women Clergy of Color Cohort hosted by Garrett’s Rueben P. Job Institute for Spiritual Formation. Made possible by a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, the Institute hosted a spiritual retreat for 10 women. Drawn from the Wisconsin and Northern Illinois conferences of the United Methodist church, the cohort ranged between 10 and 24 years in ministry. Gathered at a beautiful hotel in Chicago, they made space to share wisdom, engage in mutual discernment, and—most of all—find that needed rest. In this nurturing space, important truths were named, care flowed freely, and laughter abounded. What was found lived into the fullness of the program’s name: Flourishing Together.
A justice-centered leadership formation initiative supporting clergy, students, and congregational leaders through webinars, retreats, peer cohorts, and innovation grants.
Founded by Dr. Rolf R. Nolasco Jr., Compassionate Presence seeks to create hospitable, caring, and compassionate individuals and empower communities to take on and sustain a life of compassion as a radical response to human suffering.
Co-sponsored by the Job Institute and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion (DoSER), explore a video playlist from a 2022 conference featuring Dr. Philip Kurian, Principal Investigator and Founding Director of Quantum Biology Laboratory at Howard University, and Garrett PhD students and faculty, discussing “Religion, Technology, and Healing: Science is Not Enough to Save Us.”
“G-Talk” is a space for soulful conversation with Garrett students, alumni, faculty, and staff. It’s about engaging in “G-d-Talk” that is personal, practical, embodied, and open-ended.
