"I realized that these silent retreats with WOW! have really been a chance for me to see how much I've grown over the years."
SIGNPOSTS ALONG THE WAY
Set up road markers for yourself;
make yourself signposts;
consider well the highway,
the road by which you went. Jeremiah 31:21
Here at WOW! we tend to talk a lot about the value of journeying with one another. This month, we were so honored to be included in a surprise birthday trip to NYC and Eva's 'wonder' moment of getting to see in person the crochet mural she had contributed leaves to. Each person at our quarterly Table gathering shared about the blessing and friendship they have experienced in the WOW! community over the past year or decade! We also rejoice in being a welcoming and celebratory space for new friends. Thank you to Jessica Brooks for teaching our second hybrid seminar just two weeks before her wedding!
We're thrilled to be on this journey with you. As we enter into this summer season, may you find time for rest and refreshment. Maybe one of the upcoming events below is an invitation for us to spend time together soon!
Below, you'll read how one friend has been able to reflect on her spiritual journey with our WOW! retreats as signposts of her growth. We'd love to hear from you if WOW! has been a road marker or signpost along your path.
"I realized that these silent retreats with WOW! have really been a chance for me to see how much I've grown over the years. I’ve been to a couple of silent retreats and this one, I just felt like God has been so gracious to help me grow, change and heal these past few years" - Virtual Refresh retreatant
JETHRO, THE PRIEST: TRANSFORMATIONAL DISCIPLESHIP IN INDIVIDUALISTIC CULTURES
by Jessica Brooks
How does the way we know and understand the attributes of God help us be a community of ezers? In this podcast, Jessica Brooks introduces us to the Reader-Response Theory revealing the difference in how our interpretation of God's word through the western cultural context is very different from the ancient Hebrew context of seeing and ascribing value to the 'ezer' attribute of God. Jessica helps us to see how Moses went through spiritual formation, protection and accountability through his ezer (helper) community. Zipporah's ezer actions protected and propelled Moses into his calling as a prophet of God while Jethro and his community were a model for his priestly calling.
Who are you protecting, guiding, and holding accountable in your ezer community?
After a hiatus, we're looking forward to re-gathering this coming Wednesday!
Join us at 12PM EDT as Manni Lee leads us in a brief time of Centering Prayer.
We believe God will respond to our presence by taking all we are currently experiencing in refining and purifying the faith, hope, and love we offer ourselves and others.
EZER COMMUNITIES
We are delighted Pastor Drea Hairston will be returning this year to share about her own journey of decolonization through a mentoring relationship that continues to inform our theme of building ezer communities through mentorship. Join us in Zoom on Tuesday, July 12th.
Listen to her previous WOW! teachings: Shiphrah & Puah: Midwives of Justice and Partnership Across the River.
SUMMER REFRESH
/INTO HIS PRESENCE
We will be hosting our Summer Refresh retreat at St. Mary's Abbey from August 11-13 this year. We have shifted the days for this retreat to Thursday-Saturday to make the retreat more accessible to those to serve on Sundays.
Sowing Seeds of Love invites you to give the experience of spiritual direction, spiritual discernment, or a half day silent retreat with WOW! to any who could use a spiritual midwife, friend, mentor, or community to celebrate and walk alongside them in this season.
