We had the honor of a new journey through Lent this year, accompanying two beautiful groups of sisters in a Lectio Divina series coupled with various creative responses of our engagement with God in those times.
"I am grateful for the space to do Lectio Divina, learn different forms, and be part of a community experiencing Lectio together. It encouraged my spiritual life!"
Each came holding different things and it was a humbling honor to offer the gift of listening and bear witness to how Jesus received every holy and honest offering that was brought.
"Crescendo of intimacy with God." "I loved how much we could allow the Spirit to do within such a safe and ordered space"
"Waiting" Poem: Natalene Ong | Quotes: Journeying through Lent cohort
Friends, the stone is rolled away. Jesus is alive! This Eastertide season, we pray you will encounter and engage with Jesus in your emptiness or fullness, hunger or thirst, hurt or wholeness, grief or joy, anger or contentment, helplessness or hope, knowing we live in a world where these are not mutually exclusive of one another. And just as in those days immediately after his resurrection, may you experience the unconditional love of Christ that tenderly seeks after, receives, and rejoices over you. Artwork: "Who will roll away the stone for us?"
Artist: Hanna Cheriyan-Varghese
HOW TO LOVE THE STRANGER EVEN IN TIMES OF DANGER
by Bruce Feffer
We often live as strangers in these times of growing suspicion of one another and increased fear of risking danger to ourselves. Yet, what does God have to say about this? How can we be more mindful, welcoming, and loving to people who are different or foreign to us? Through the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Bruce Feffer addresses God's command to love the stranger, acknowledges the risk of loving the stranger, and points to the way of how to love the stranger.
What risks are you willing to take to love a stranger as your way to building ezer communities in the spaces God's called you to care?
The WOW! 2022 seminar series is divided into developing three overarching themes we believe will deepen our understanding, our commitment and our response to exercise and engage in ezer communities of justice. The themes are Advocating/Speaking Along or With Others, Mentorship, and Justice in Action.
We are excited Rachelle Verdier is returning to teach as we enter into the second theme with Reimagining Community through Mentoring.
VIRTUAL REFRESH RETREATS
"There is something else we see in our God who took on human form. We see a willingness to embrace limits. We see a Savior who rested, who took time away from the crowds, and who relied heavily on the care and leading of his Father. We see a call to come away with him and do likewise." - Vanessa Stricker⠀⠀
We are offering virtual half day retreats inviting silence and solitude to continually develop our inner spiritual formation. Come and experience a deepened sense of knowing God and being known by God.
Register by 4/29 for the 5/13 Wonderful Shepherd retreat!
SUMMER REFRESH/IN PERSON
Registration is open!
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. Early bird pricing is available until June 15th.
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. ⠀⠀
