Pause to Reflect
O God, we are so far from esteeming highly enough
our soul in which God so delights.
Each of us possesses a soul,
but we do not realize its value
as made in the image of God;
therefore we fail to understand
the great secrets it contains.
If we reflect, we shall see that our soul
is a paradise in which
God takes delight. Amen.
Teresa of Avila
from Let Nothing Disturb You, Teresa of Avila, p. 38, adapted
Sharing from our Retreat
Dwight Judy led us well! The theme he was presented on was Being a Compassionate Presence: Revisiting “Perfection of Love” for our Digital Age. We participated together in our sessions with Dwight, morning prayer, worship, workshops (one afternoon), prayer stations, meals, and more. Because we were not a huge group, we were able to enjoy individual conversations with most of the people on retreat. It was a rich time!
Dwight’s five sessions were:
- Love is Divine Energy: From the Cloud of Unknowing to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
- Dance with Rapture!
- Sanctification: A Conversation with John Wesley, Charles, Wesley, and Teresa of Avila
- Embracing Our Present Tasks of Compassion
- Blessed are the Peacemakers
One afternoon, we took an awareness walk outside – noticing, paying attention to what we saw, heard, smelled….
We are in the planning stages for our 2027 retreat. If you have suggestions, please Contact Us.
Book Corner
These books were recommended by people at the retreat.
Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times, by Gregory Boyle
Cradled in the Arms of Compassion: A Spiritual Journey from Trauma to Recovery, by Frank Rogers (our 2016 retreat leader)
The Kingdom Within: The Inner Meaning of of Jesus’ Sayings, by John A. Sanford
Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, by Salman Rushdie
Self Help: This Is Your Chance to Change Your Life, by Gabrielle Bernstein
Where We Meet: A Lenten Study of Systems, Stories, and Hope, by Rachel Gilmore, Candace Lewis, Tyler Sit, Matt Temple (of the Intersect Network)
Wounds Into Wisdom: Healing Intergenerational Jewish Trauma, by Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, PHD
Washing My Mother’s Body: A Ceremony for Grief, by Joy Harjo, Art by Dana Tiger
HOF Board Update
Following the retreat, the board met. Linda Holbrook led us as chair for her final time, and she has now rolled off the board. We are deeply grateful for her presence on the board, and for her leadership as chair these last few years. Thank you, Linda, for your service to our organization!
Our new board chair is Rev. Linda Kelly. She is currently serving in a ministry for unhoused persons in the Sacramento area. We’ll share more about Linda Kelly, and our board in another email.
Membership in Hearts On Fire
This organization is open to all who are interested in spiritual formation/spiritual direction/retreat leadership, regardless of denominational affiliation.
Enrichment/educational/networking/community zooms are being held at intervals throughout each year.
Additional resources including: daily prayer guide, book reviews, etc.
Please consider becoming a paid member if you are not already.
Click here for the membership page. There you will have the option to complete your member profile and pay online, or print a form and mail a check.
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? Want to discuss something you read in the newsletter with others?
Click here to check out our Facebook page to engage in the conversation and make connections with others.
Save the Date!
Recalibration LIVE!
September 20, 2025
with Jason Ellingson.
Registration will open soon!
Words of Wisdom
Our Lord asks but two things of us:
love for God,
and love for our neighbor.
These are the two virtues
that we must strive to obtain.
If we practice them perfectly
we shall be doing the will of God,
and so will find the union we seek.
The most certain sign
that we keep these two commandments
is that we have a genuine love for each other.
We may not know for certain whether we love God,
but there can be no doubt
about whether or not we love our neighbor.
If we fail to love our neighbor,
we are deceiving ourselves
if we think that we love God.
from Let Nothing Disturb You, Teresa of Avila, p. 29, adapted
A soul hidden in God,
What has it to desire
Save to love more and more,
And, in love all hidden
Again and again to love You?
One all possessing love I ask
My God, my soul centered in You,
Making a delightful nest,
A resting place most pleasing.
from “Loving Colloquy” (Vol. 3, 380),
The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila
(as quoted in Embracing God: Praying with Teresa of Avila by Dwight H. Judy)
