Welcome to the September issue of “Membership Moments,” the monthly e-newsletter from Spiritual Directors International.
Just Change
What does it mean to serve justice as a spiritual companion? How does God change our hearts? When is it time to stay in and be present to the tensions of injustice, and when is it time to leave for the sake of justice? These questions beleaguered me as Spiritual Directors International discerned that the 2011 Cultivating Compassion educational events must move out of Boston due to labor disputes at the hotel where we planned to gather.
I realize the move from Boston will disappoint many people in New England and create a lot of work for staff and volunteers in Atlanta, Georgia, where Spiritual Directors International will host
Cultivating Compassion in April 2011. Yet it is the right thing to do. How do I know? To be honest, I do not quite fully understand with my head’s knowledge. But my whole body knows: heart, soul, and communal spirit knowledge.
This is not the first time that Spiritual Directors International has been asked to serve justice in a hotel situation. Flashback to 2002, during the SARS epidemic. Spiritual Directors International discerned to stay in Toronto and host educational events, despite SARS, in part to demonstrate support for the Toronto community and to provide work for the hotel housekeepers and kitchen staff. Some amazing conversations occurred between housekeepers and spiritual directors as a result of Spiritual Directors International choosing to stay.
In the current circumstance, the plight of Boston hotel housekeepers who lost their jobs a year ago has polarized executive staff at the hotels, unions, New England clergy of many faiths, and SDI members. Instead of black and white, right and wrong, spiritual directors listen for many shades of gray. We ask “Where is God in this situation?”
For me, the discernment to move the 2011
Cultivating Compassion educational events from Boston to Atlanta has opened my heart to people who seek justice everywhere. Please join me in praying for God to continue to change our hearts.
In the comments section of the blog, please share your thoughts about what it means to you to serve justice as a spiritual companion. Where do you notice God changing hearts? How does contemplative practice contribute to justice?
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Spiritual Directors International is educating the public about the value of cultivating compassion through contemplative practice. Our world yearns for restorative silence and deep listening with a beginner’s compassionate mind. Pure inquiry. Basic presence. Meeting regularly with a spiritual director helps us live with a grateful spirit and listening with compassion, around the world and across traditions.
Check out the blog,
Facebook, or
Twitter to see where.
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Scroll down to read the articles associated with September headlines.
1. Meet the Coordinating Council near Boston, Massachusetts, Sept 2
2. NEW! 2011 Cultivating Compassion moves to Atlanta, Georgia
3. Do you live in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area?
4. NEW! SDI “Spiritual Guidance and Justice Institute”
5. Join in prayer for peace with Interfaith Pilgrims to Palestine and Israel
6. Wanted—your spiritual direction connections and stories
7. Share your thoughts about Presence
8. Authors and Publishers!
9. The Best of the Spiritual Directors International BLOG!
10. Connect with Spiritual Directors International on Facebook
11. Everything stays the same, yet everything is different
12. Reflection by poet Kimberly Tarman of San Ramon, California, USA
13. September blessing from the Executive Director
Classified Ads: your retreat center, job opening, or book could be here!
Click here to learn about advertising in Membership Moments.
• Moving Toward Wholeness: A Journey Conference
• Required Reading: Finding Seekers
• Spiritual Directors Fall Seminar
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1. NEW! Meet the Coordinating Council near Boston, Massachusetts
The Coordinating Council serves as the governing body of Spiritual Directors International and consists of dedicated, talented volunteers from three countries: Terry Moran, Chair; David Liedl, TOR Secretary; Miriam Frey, Treasurer; Jennifer (Jinks) Hoffmann; Christopher McCauley; Dan Robinson; and Sally Taylor. Follow this link to learn more about each Coordinating Council member.
We meet September 1-3 at Campion Renewal Center in Weston, Massachusetts. We look forward to bringing 20th anniversary greetings to long-time Spiritual Directors International member and champion, Jim Keegan, SJ who is now living at Campion.
Please surround the Coordinating Council meetings in prayer for clarity, compassion, and visioning the future of Spiritual Directors International.
Would you like to meet the Coordinating Council in person? Join us on Thursday, September 2, 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Andover Newton Theological Seminary in the Peck Room. RSVP to Molly Bauthues, membership@sdiworld.org, if you will be a part of the conversation so we can plan for refreshments. We will send mass transportation and driving directions to everyone who submits an RSVP. Special thanks to member Margaret Benefiel for making arrangements for the gathering at Andover Newton. We hope to see you on Thursday!
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2. NEW! 2011 Cultivating Compassion moves to Atlanta, Georgia
Because Spiritual Directors International is committed to cultivating compassion, we will no longer be hosting the Spiritual Directors International 2011 educational events planned for Boston at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge hotel.
In July, Spiritual Directors International members in the New England area expressed deep concern about the Hyatt Cambridge, which is embroiled in a labor dispute over the outsourcing of housekeeping staff. After innumerable conversations with representatives from many organizations, the Coordinating Council, SDI local members, and clergy from many faiths, SDI discerned it was necessary to cancel the contract with the Hyatt Cambridge.
Unfortunately, we could not secure another hotel in the Boston area for 2011. No hotels are available for the same dates that can accommodate our size group and provide an affordable room rate for participants.
We have located, however, a wonderful hotel in Atlanta, Georgia and hope to return to New England in the near future.
Please pray for housekeepers everywhere, not only at the Hyatt hotels in Boston. The negotiating process to cancel the Hyatt contract was an opportunity for Spiritual Directors International to act on your behalf to raise awareness of human rights and justice issues.
Listening with compassion and acting for justice, SDI celebrates all the New England volunteers who have worked hard planning the 2011 educational events – we hope to return in the very near future to New England and look forward to working with you again soon. Thank you for your generous spirits and compassionate hearts.
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3. Do you live in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area?
Would you like to work with the local committee on the 2011 Cultivating Compassion educational events? Yes! Please contact Sue Espinosa, SDI Events Coordinator at events@sdiworld.org.
Past volunteers have found working with the local committee producing the educational events to be a personal-and-community-enriching experience. Connecting and networking in advance of the educational events provides new energy for the local spiritual care community and builds lasting relationships for the future.
Cultivating Compassion online in late September!
Needless to say, the hotel situation in Boston and the need to relocate to Atlanta set us back a bit.
We will proudly launch Spiritual Directors International brand new, beautiful, interactive, user friendly, educational events Web site in late September. You will receive a special invitation when the site launches so watch your inbox for the premiere of Spiritual Directors International Cultivating Compassion educational events, April 28–May 1, 2011, in Atlanta, Georgia. The dates have not changed; only the location.
Plan now—save the dates!
Leadership Institute, Compassionate, Competent Supervision, April 28, 2011
Conference, Cultivating Compassion, April 28-May 1, 2011
Men’s Institute, The Beat of Men’s Hearts, May 1-2, 2011
Spirituality and Health Care Institute, Cultivating Compassion in your Health Care Setting, May 2, 2011
Pilgrimage, A Heritage of Compassion, May 2, 2011
Contemplative Retreat, Cultivating Compassion, May 3-5, 2011
Complete details and registration will be available online in late September 2010.
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4. NEW! SDI “Spiritual Guidance and Justice Institute”
Spiritual Guidance: Cultivating Wisdom and Contemplative Process in Law and Ethics
Monday, November 1, 2010
9:00 a.m.–noon
Location: TBD near Berkeley, California, USA
Cost: USD$50 for members and USD$75 for non-members
Online registration available online in late September
Following an international conference held at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law “The Mindful Lawyer: Practices & Prospects for Law School, Bench, and Bar”, Spiritual Directors International will offer an educational outreach institute to further integrate the contribution of spiritual guidance in the field of law and justice.
Ideally participants in the Spiritual Directors International Spiritual Guidance and Justice Institute will also attend the weekend The Mindful Lawyer: Practices & Prospects for Law School, Bench, and Bar October 29-31, 2010, Berkeley, California, USA, international conference that will bring together the pioneers who have been developing programs integrating meditation and contemplative practices with legal education and law practice.
Join Spiritual Directors International in cultivating compassion in legal education by attending the conference and participating in the post conference Spiritual Guidance and Justice Institute. Everyone who is interested in the legal profession and cultivating compassion in justice is welcome.
Save the date and plan to join Spiritual Directors International in California, USA on November 1, 2010!
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5. Please pray for and with interfaith pilgrims from four continents
Interfaith Pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine Now Filled
A Journey to the Heart:
Inner Paths to Compassion, Connection, and Peace
Spiritual Directors International Pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine is completely booked. Pilgrims from four continents will walk together for peace: from Africa, Europe, North America, South America. Please pray with and for the pilgrims as we prepare to Journey to the Heart. We will be holding you in prayer as we bring contemplative gifts of peace to the Middle East in October.
If you would like to put your name on the wait list for the pilgrimage, please contact Molly Bauthues in the Spiritual Directors International home office, membership@sdiworld.org or call +1-425-455-1565.
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6. Wanted—your spiritual direction connections and stories
Connections, the official Spiritual Directors International e-newsletter seeks your local news and photographs for the November 2010 issue! Please e-mail your 150-250 word reflection on or before September 10, 2010, to editor Pegge Bernecker, Connections@sdiworld.org.
About Connections:
• Connections offers a round-table where members of Spiritual Directors International from more than fifty countries tell stories about experiences as spiritual directors and seekers
• Connections is a forum where staff and the Coordinating Council communicate news that affects the global learning community
• Connections is a place where resources related to the ministry and service of spiritual direction are shared
Connections is online! Printable. Clickable. Green. Photographs, full color, and member reflections connect the global learning community of Spiritual Directors International. Read it now. Click, Connections.
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7. Share your thoughts about Presence
Have you received the latest issue of Presence? If not, it will arrive soon. When you receive it, please share your thoughts. Click here to fill out a brief survey on the September 2010 issue.
Are you a poet?
Are you a poet--or do you know a poet--who might want to be published in an SDI publication? Click to learn how to share your poetry for possible inclusion and publication in Presence journal, or another SDI publication. All styles of poetry are welcome.
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8. Authors and Publishers!
Do you have a book, CD, or DVD you would like to have considered for potential review in one of the Spiritual Directors International publications? Please e-mail Reviews@sdiworld.org to learn where to mail your review materials.
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10. The Best of the Spiritual Directors International “Web + Log = BLOG”
Visit the Spiritual Directors International Web site—new resources, articles, photographs, and reflections are added each week. www.sdiworld.org. Please join the conversation and add your comments and stories.
Spiritual Direction through Skype
Meditation Boosts Brain Activity in Hours
The Inner Journey of Ramadan
Spirituality as a personal life force
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11. Connect with Spiritual Directors International on Facebook
Join the conversation and contemplative learning community online at “Spiritual Directors International for spiritual care”.
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11. Everything stays the same, yet everything is different
Spiritual Directors International home office moves location, but the address and telephone number remain the same. The PO Box 3584 remains unchanged and so do the telephone and fax numbers. SDI’s new home office is located next to a greenbelt in Bellevue, Washington, not far from our former office with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. Bunnies and ducks abound, welcoming us to our new office.
On September 21, International Peace Day, please join us in prayer or in person, as Spiritual Directors International thanks the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace for hosting Spiritual Directors International during the past eight years. As a gift to the CSJP community and many retreatants and spiritual directors who visit the Peace and Spirituality Center, Spiritual Directors International will plant a cedar tree and a Peace Pole bearing the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages.
The home office of Spiritual Directors International moved because the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace are tearing down the office building to construct a nursing facility for their elderly sisters.
We have enjoyed eight spirit-filled years in the contemplative company of sacred women religious. Many, many thanks to the CSJPs–we will miss their daily companionship.
Please pray in gratitude for the CSJPs.
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12. September reflection by poet Kimberly Tarman of San Ramon, California, USA
An Open Clearing
O God of Vast Spaces,
May I be in heart, mind and soul that
open clearing where any and all possibilities
may enter, stay or pass through uninterrupted
any hour of the day or night.
Whether they be clothed in Terror or Joy,
may I welcome them with a heart receptive,
invite them to stay with a mind thoughtful,
and bid them farewell with a soul un-clinging.
May I be that open clearing
where both Life and Death can lie down together
and rest through the night,
where Silence can sing her song un-muted,
where You can be seen clearly in Your most naked form –
“Is-ing” in all that is,
“Life-ing” in all that lives,
“Death-ing” in all that dies,
and overflowing the heavens with
echoing emptiness in all that is Mystery.
This is my prayer. Amen.
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13. September blessing from the Executive Director
May you notice God changing hearts during September. Maybe even our own heart. And may we create an “open clearing” in our spiritual companioning ministry and service that cultivates justice and peace, “overflowing the heavens with echoing emptiness in all that is Mystery. This is my prayer.” May it be so.
Peace be with you,
Liz Budd Ellmann, MDiv
Executive Director
CLASSIFIED ADS
October 14-17, 2010 NC, USA Moving Toward Wholeness: A Journey Conference
Pre-conferences October 13 on a Mountaintop in NC. Featured presentations, workshops and special events include: Learning from Bishop Synesius of Cyrene How to Practice Dreamwork as Real Church: Robert Moss http://www.mossdreams.com/Design%202009/About%20Robert%20Moss/About%20main%20RM%20bio%20isad%20version.htm
Muriel McMahon: Sacred Fire Ceremony http://www.murielmcmahon.com/
John Martin: Jung and Christianity; along with 16 workshops by experts from varied traditions. 336-545-1200 http://www.journeyconferences.com/conferenceinformation.htm
Ensure participation -- Register immediately!
Required Reading: Finding Seekers: Recruitment Methods for Developing a Spiritual Direction Practice from Beginning to Full-Time Employment by Dr. Bruce Tallman. For expert testimonies, full Table of Contents, and to download this exciting new e-book, go to www.brucetallman.com and click on “Store.”
SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS FALL SEMINAR “Water, Wind, Earth & Fire: Bringing Nature to Spiritual Direction” with Christine Valters Paintner, Ph.D. author, teacher and artist. Through ritual, prayer, poetry, art, reflection, and being in creation, we explore a variety of practical tools to use in spiritual direction. Friday, October 29. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shalom Prayer Center, Mt. Angel, OR. Register at www.sacredpathministry.com
If you would like to place a classified announcement or advertisement about your programs or new books, etc., in Membership Moments, fill out the form on the Web site.
