

You don't need to struggle alone
The Gathering’s Wellness Ministry exists to:
- Help, heal, and give hope to people who’ve experienced hard things in their lives.
- Support people on their journey toward wholeness.
What is wellness?
Wellness is best defined as living into wholeness. It’s not striving for perfection, attempting to “fix” ourselves, or feeling happy all the time. It is an invitation to embrace who we genuinely are, so we can experience the rich and full life that Jesus promised us.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
We offer small support groups - limited and ongoing - and special events, both centered around particular challenges, life transitions, or mental health & wellness topics. We also create and curate helpful Wellness resources to share.
WHO IS WELLNESS MINISTRY FOR?
The Gathering is a place where all people can come when they are hurting and need support. You do not have to be a member of our, or any other, church community to participate in our Wellness programs. It is our hope that people from all walks of life will find hope, healing, and community here.
Meet Ashley
Ashley Pondoff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, originally from Los Angeles, who moved to St. Louis in 2010 to attend graduate school at Washington University. She’s dedicated the last 10 years to working in the mental health field, and, most recently, worked as a therapist. She has been a part of The Gathering since 2010 and attends the Clayton site with her husband, Chris, and their 10-year-old son, Charlie.
Ashley credits being a part of The Gathering community as an important part of her own healing journey. She loves to read, savor every moment of the changing seasons, and most of all, sit with people over a cup of coffee and hear their stories.
Ashley credits being a part of The Gathering community as an important part of her own healing journey. She loves to read, savor every moment of the changing seasons, and most of all, sit with people over a cup of coffee and hear their stories.