Greetings beloved friends,
Autumn has officially arrived for those of us in the northern hemisphere. The temps are cooling, garden veggies are waning, leaves are changing and time marches on."
I dearly love the changing seasons. It helps me keep things in perspective as I remember the big picture of God's glorious presence throughout all of creation. The earth is still spinning. Seasons are still changing. And God is still good - even in the toughest times.
I hope that some of the reflections and resources in this month's newsletter will help you remember God's goodness - even amidst whatever challenges you may be facing. Take a look below and you will find...
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"Spouting Off" Blog: Breath
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Color Your Advent - Archival Video Series NOW available
- Fall Retreats
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Song for Autumn by Mary Oliver
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Belly of the Whale Silent Retreat - Summer 2022
- Spiritual Direction Resources
Blessings and peace to you, my friends, in whatever season of life you find yourself.
With strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Sharon
Sharon Seyfarth Garner
Director, Belly of the Whale Ministries
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THE "SPOUTING OFF" BLOG
Breath
The unexpected call from my brother-in-law began with the words, “She’s going to be okay, but she’s been in an accident…” and my breath stopped.
The next morning I was standing in my sister’s hospital room watching her struggle for her every breath. She had broken 13 ribs, a clavicle and both lungs had collapsed when she was crushed by an ATV as it rolled over her while she was riding on the sand dunes in eastern Michigan. Initially, her shallow breathing allowed for only a few whispered words and not even enough air to cry even though the pain was excruciating.
Slowly, over the next few weeks in the hospital, she began breathing a little more deeply. We celebrated every time she was able to elevate that little blue ball a bit higher in the hand-held spirometer. Day by day. Breath by breath. Healing happened.
How easy it is to take for granted something as simple as a deep breath. Yet, our breath is an essential part of both our physical and our spiritual survival. Attentiveness to our very breath can be an act of prayer… a reminder that in the beginning God breathed into us the breath of life. We are God's beloved; filled with God's breath.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
I invite you to be still for a moment - even amidst all that is swirling around you - and pay attention to your breath. As you breathe slowly and deeply, give thanks to God for the simple gift of breath.... the gift of life.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
I am thrilled to share that now, six weeks after the accident, my sister is home and breathing more deeply each day. In fact, my mom and I went to visit her last week and she was feeling well enough for us to go watch her son play snare drum in the half-time show. She is alive. She is healing. And for that I give thanks with every single breath.
To read previous "Spouting Off" blog entries, click here.
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COLOR YOUR ADVENT RETREAT
Archival Video Series
I have decided to make the archival videos from last year's Color Your Advent retreat available for use this year on a pay-what-you-can basis. Anything you can offer to help sustain Belly of the Whale Ministries is deeply appreciated.
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Gather your colored pencils, a copy of Mandalas, Candles and Prayer, and let these videos serve as your companion as you journey through Advent this year.
The Color Your Advent Archival Video Series includes...
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First Sunday of Advent (45 mins) - Hope
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Second Sunday of Advent (45 mins) - Love
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Third Sunday of Advent (45 mins) - Joy
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Fourth Sunday of Advent (45 mins) - Peace
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Christmas Day (30 mins)
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Bonus - downloadable copy of the Christmas Day mandala
Please note that because these are archival videos, the beginning of each video does reference the year 2020 when they were recorded. Aside from that reference however, these videos can be a meaningful part of your Advent journey any year. Also, please note that all videos were recorded in "speaker view" mode except for the 3rd week which was accidentally recorded in "gallery view" which means that you have the added bonus of being part of our broader community for that week! Click here to watch a sample video from the first week of Advent.
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FALL RETREATS
Check out these opportunities for spiritual renewal this fall led by several of my dear friends and colleagues.
October 9 - Finding Purpose Today: Examine wisdom, artful aging, purpose and gratitude - an online retreat led by Diane McGregor.
October 23 - Introduction to Protestant Prayer Beads - an online opportunity led by Kristen Vincent, author of A Bead and a Prayer: A Beginner's Guide to Protestant Prayer Beads,
November 5-7 - The Seasons of Life: Discerning God in Change - gather at beautiful Lakeside, Ohio for this powerful retreat led by Tom Frost & Ginny Pippin.
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SONG FOR AUTUMN
by Mary Oliver
In the deep fall
don’t you imagine the leaves think how
comfortable it will be to touch
the earth instead of the
nothingness of air and the endless
freshets of wind? And don’t you think
the trees themselves, especially those with mossy,
warm caves, begin to think
of the birds that will come — six, a dozen — to sleep
inside their bodies? And don’t you hear
the goldenrod whispering goodbye,
the everlasting being crowned with the first
tuffets of snow? The pond
vanishes, and the white field over which
the fox runs so quickly brings out
its blue shadows. And the wind pumps its
bellows. And at evening especially,
the piled firewood shifts a little,
longing to be on its way.
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SAVE THE DATE
Belly of the Whale Spiritual Renewal Retreat
July 10-13, 2022
Plan ahead for your soul care and join us for next summer's spiritual renewal retreat - 3 days & 3 nights of shared sacred silence at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Together we will explore the book of Jonah, listen for God's whispers in the sacred silence, worship together, and dive into creative contemplative practices.
Email me if you'd like to be among the first to get the details as they emerge.
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SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Spiritual Direction is a sacred opportunity to direct your attention to God's presence in your daily life. I often think of spiritual direction as spiritual wellness training. Just as you might meet with a fitness trainer in order to keep your body healthy, you meet with a spiritual director to help keep your spiritual life healthy and thriving.
I always encourage folks to meet with 2-3 spiritual directors (there is often no fee for an informal conversation) to determine who is the best fit for you. Check out any of the links below to learn more about spiritual direction in general or to find the names of directors in your area.
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What people are saying about spiritual direction...
"Spiritual direction carves out a safe, sacred space in which I am free to share whatever is on my heart and mind... no guilt for talking too much and no artificial rules about what I "should" or "shouldn't" say. It is amazing how speaking my joys and struggles aloud brings them into better focus and opens the door to seeing situations in a clearer and more Spirit-filled light!"
"The safe space of spiritual direction encourages me to practice listening deeply to the hopes, longings and movements of my imperfect yet beloved being, so I may walk more faithfully in loving service."
"This has been an especially difficult year for all of us in dealing with change and grief. My time in spiritual direction helps me to stay focused on growing in my own faith journey and becoming healthier in my ability to lead my congregation. I believe it can strengthen anyone’s walk with God and be transformational."
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Connect with Belly of the Whale Spiritual Direction & Retreat Ministries on Social Media |
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