A New Year – A Time of Opportunity
What does the new year hold for us? Where will the road take us? How will I find my path toward greater wholeness?
A new year is a time when attention is often directed toward making changes, making plans, forming new habits, breaking old habits, starting projects, making promises – to self, others, God.
Thankfully, we can start new at any time. We don’t have to wait for a new year.
We can make commitments to spiritual practices, relationships, self-care, etc. any time. And today is a good time to begin anew.
The steadfast love of God never ceases,
God’s mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘God is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in God.’
Lamentations 3:22-24
New every morning is your love, great God of light,
and all day long you are working for good in the world.
Stir up in us desire to serve you,
to live peacefully with our neighbors and all creation,
and to devote each day to your Beloved,
Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
(from Order for Morning Praise and Prayer, UMH, adapted)
A Word from Our Hearts On Fire President
Welcome to 2023. Every new year I pause and reflect on the year we are ending and what I want to do differently in the new year. Many years ago, I made new years resolutions. I gave up that ritual because my resolutions were given up with the first two months of the year. It works better for me to reflect on the past year and consider what I need in the new year.
It is my privilege to lead this organization. I follow great leaders and I am always striving to continue in their ideals and principles. This organization has some of the wisest people I have met. When I write the letter to my congregation this time of year, I remind them of incorporating spiritual practices into their lives. When I write to the members of Hearts On Fire, I feel certain that spiritual practices are already ingrained into your everyday lives.
I have to admit that most of the time, I think that the members of the Fellowship are very self-sufficient. I assume that as spiritual directors and retreat leaders, the members can handle whatever challenges come their way. Over the holidays of 2022 as we had so many disruptions of flight cancellations, a new COVID variant, the normal family miscommunications, and the tensions of trying to get everything completed and still maintain our composure and compassion, I imagine all our members having the grace to be considered the wise people in the room.
Sometimes, I feel like I fall far short of the wisdom of the members, and wonder what I can offer. And then I remember that we are all human and perhaps I am not the only person who falls short of experiencing grace and compassion all the time. The Fellowship of Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders is here to support all of us with connection and resources. The Fellowship offers opportunities to continue learning new practices and ways to grow. (Check out the January Recalibration Live on January 21 – information and registration link below.)
In 2023, we will continue with our biweekly recalibrations, our every other month Recalibration LIVE virtual retreats over zoom, and an in-person retreat in July. COVID put a hold on our in-person retreats, and we are happy that we can once again gather with other people in a retreat setting. If you would like to write a recalibration, or have ideas for Recalibration Live retreats, please feel free to leave a suggestion on our website or send the suggestion to me personally (email below).
I know that one of the ways we all live out our lives as disciples of Christ is through service. If you are looking for a way to serve in 2023, please consider Hearts On Fire. We need 2-3 additional board members. Our board meets once a month on the second Tuesday at 2:30 ET via zoom. In addition, board members take turns writing an inspiration for Recalibration. If you are interested, please let me know.
None of us has a crystal ball to know what 2023 will bring. We do know that we are never alone. God has promised to be with us always. Christ has called us to be here for one another. The Fellowship is here to help us feel connected. The Board wishes you a year filled with love, compassion, and lots of sacred moments.
Rev. Dr. Linda A Holbrook, President,
The Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders
January Recalibration LIVE!
This Saturday – Register Now!
This is a good time to give yourself the gift of some self-care, increase self awareness, practice self compassion. Register today for our zoom event this month:
Awareness in Times of Crisis:
Using the Enneagram to help us have more compassion
and care for ourselves and others in stressful seasons
January 21, 2023
with Jenny Misslin leading
1:00 – 3:30 pm Eastern
12 noon – 2:30 pm Central
11:00 am – 1:30 pm Mountain
10:00 am – 12:30 pm Pacific
The movement of the Enneagram, from our core numbers to our numbers that we retreat to when we are stressed or when we are secure has long fascinated me. When we are aware of our move into our stress number we can use the gifts that come with that number to practice peace even in the midst of great turmoil.
Learning to pause in stress and observing ourselves in non judgment helps us shift from reacting in ego and fear to responding from a place of love and hope. Better knowing our Enneagram number and recognizing our knee jerk reactions to stress create a pathway forward that is one filled with a deeper sense of self.
Click below: “Register Now” to register or “Get more information” to learn more.
Register Now!
Get more information
Our Next Recalibration LIVE! Zoom
March 18 with Jane Vennard (rescheduled from last fall)
White Supremacy and the Experience of White Privilege:
An Interior Journey
Retreat 2023
July 17-20, 2023
Rev. Daniel Wolpert, leading
@ Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center
near Atlanta, GA
(Click the retreat center name to view their website.)
Hearts on Fire for a World on Fire:
Spiritual Direction and Social Transformation
To say that the world is in a powerful time of upheaval and transformation has almost become cliché at this point, yet it is true. The multiple crises of climate change, social unrest, the rise of fear and totalitarianism, all press upon us and strain our physical, emotional and spiritual health.
At such times we see an increased interest in the spiritual life and in new forms of spiritual community. These moments also call for spiritual companionship and spiritual direction. As directors we can and do serve as agents of social transformation, sitting with individuals and groups as we listen for the movement of the Spirit.
Come join us for this time of retreat where together we will reflect upon Spiritual Direction and Social Transformation. This will be a time to gather with colleagues, spend time in prayer, renew our spirits and come to a deeper understanding as to how we engage the principalities and powers in our work as directors.
More information and registration coming soon!
Since this is our first in-person retreat in 5 years, we will be offering a significantly reduced rate for members who register early.
Hearts On Fire Members
Please consider becoming a paid member if you are not already.
This group is open to all interested in spiritual formation/spiritual direction/retreat leadership, regardless of denominational affiliation.
Enrichment/educational/networking/community zooms are being held at intervals throughout the year.
Retreat in 2023 – in person! (Members receive a substantial discount on
the registration fee. See note in Retreat block above.)
Additional resources including: daily prayer guide, book reviews, etc.
Click here for the membership page on our website. There you will have the option to complete your member profile and pay online, or print a form and mail a check.
We are making some updates to our website. As you visit over the next couple of months, you will notice some changes.
Click here to explore our website.
Have an event to share? Wondering what others are reading, or what practices they are finding helpful? Looking for a learning opportunity? Have questions about navigating the uncertainties of our times? Seeking support and encouragement?
Check out our Facebook page to engage in the conversation and make connections with others.
In these days when we bear witness to wildfires, floods, mudslides, blizzards, extreme droughts, extinctions, ocean warming and acidification, etc., let us pray for God’s creation – our home.
A Prayer for the Earth
Creating and Loving God,
You have taught us, through your servant St Francis,
That all creation is your handiwork.
Grant us your grace that we may
Exercise wise stewardship of this Earth;
Tread lightly upon it;
And cherish its resources;
That our children may enjoy its riches, throughout all generations,
And your name be glorified through all that you have made.
Amen.
Rt Revd David Walker
Bishop of Manchester, UK
(adapted)