Foundational

or

Occasional?

Greetings %FIRSTNAME%,

It’s a rather pointed question, isn’t it?

Having been a Pastor for nearly 25 years, I was surprised it took me until 2018 to realize that I had no spiritual disciplines guiding my daily life. Sure, I spent a lot of time in scripture preparing for sermons and teaching Bible studies, and I certainly prayed and worshiped. But, in 2018, I found myself in the midst of a very rough year: as a Pastor, with my health, and dealing with a family crisis…It was then that I admitted what I had probably known in my heart for years: working as a Pastor does not constitute a viable or sustainable spirituality and, in fact, what spirituality I did have was only given my leftover time. Ouch! That is when I decided to begin a journey from Occasional Spirituality to Foundational Spirituality.

How about you?

Does your faith serve as the foundation for everything you do in your life, your vocation, your family? Do you have solid spiritual habits that extend beyond worship to sustain you in a relationship with Jesus and as a follower of His ways? Do your spiritual disciplines include scripture reading, study of the Word, prayer, silence before the Lord to listen and discern, intentional cultivation of the Fruits of the Spirit, intentional loving of God and others, regular repentance through the examination of your own heart and soul, a lifestyle that is generous and kind and non-judgmental, and are you a good and thankful steward of the blessings God has provided in your life?

Or do you aspire to these things but find yourself doing so sporadically at best, or think of it after the fact; in other words, occasionally? Does your relationship with God come first, or do you struggle to fit it in to your life or just don’t know where to start?

I get it. I’m still figuring it out myself on this journey of faith…but I have learned a bit and become more intentional and my life is the better for it (and probably for those around me too!)

I’m not talking about perfection here or works righteousness. I’m talking about honestly reflecting on the state of your Spiritual Wellness. Wellness is a buzz word these days, but I have yet to find a real discussion about Spiritual Wellness. And yet, as the picture above reflects and the familiar hymn reminds, “on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Foundational=intentional=rock vs. Occasional=casual=sand.

Most of us are probably on a continuum when it comes to spirituality…but probably want to do better...especially when “the peace that passes all understanding” eludes us. Do you know or sense that keeping Christ at the center as your sure foundation will see you through life’s ups and downs with more purpose and meaning and even peace? And do you wonder why you haven’t been able to make it happen? It’s because you can’t do it on your own: you need Jesus as your foundation and you need a loving community in which to learn and grow.

HERE’S WHAT I’VE BEEN BUILDING UP TO, SO MAKE SURE YOU READ THIS PART!!

After discussions with several colleagues and sisters in Christ, I am going to offer a Spiritual Wellness Community Membership beginning in January 2023. Founding members can join at angelstringsministry.com for $15 per month for a limited time…eventually the monthly fee will be $20 per month. BUT IF YOU SIGN UP AS A FOUNDING MEMBER AT $15/MONTH YOUR RATE WILL NEVER GO UP UNLESS YOU CANCEL.

NOTE: THIS MEMBERSHIP IS MEANT FOR WOMEN PASTORS AND LAY LEADERS! (If that is not you, please forward this to other women pastors and leaders you know!)

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:

WEEKLY LIVE SESSIONS VIA ZOOM

(recordings available afterward for those who can’t make it)

EACH MONTH WILL BE STRUCTURED AS FOLLOWS:

WEEK 1 - Annoucement of Monthly Spiritual Wellness Topic and Book/Reading of the month, along with Teaching and Discussion Time

WEEK 2 - Group Spiritual Direction using Lectio Divina and/or Examen with scripture, related to the Monthly Topic

WEEK 3 - Guided Meditation with Therapeutic Harp, scripture, and prayer related to the Monthly Topic

WEEK 4 - Book Discussion, especially as related to the Monthly Topic

WEEK 5 (when there is one) - Fellowship, Prayer, Q&A, and whatever the Spirit moves us to do

EACH FOUNDING MEMBER WILL ALSO RECEIVE A COUPON CODE FOR ONE FREE PRIVATE SPIRITUAL DIRECTION SESSION, AND A DISCOUNT CODE FOR 20% OFF ANY ADDITIONAL SESSIONS IF YOU DECIDE TO CONTINUE WITH PRIVATE SPIRITUAL DIRECTION.

I envision a group of lively women who want to ponder and reflect and learn and love and journey together in an alternative community of faith, in a way that isn’t offered in our traditional faith communities. A place that is safe for pastors and leaders away from the places they serve, as well as confidential, nonjudgmental, gracious and supportive. Will you join me?

Direct your questions to me by responding to this email at:

angelstringsministry@yahoo.com

Or sign up at: angelstringsministry.com as a Founding Member in December 2022 and we will get this Spiritual Wellness Community off the ground the first week of January 2023!!

If there are others for whom you think this kind of community would be beneficial, I would appreciate it if you would help spread the word with other women pastors/leaders by forwarding this email.

I look forward to journeying with you soon as we seek to intentionally make Christ the solid rock foundation of our whole lives.

I feel like I should say, “Rock on!”

Grace and peace today and always,

Julie

Rev. Julie Parsell

Follower of Jesus-Pastor-Spiritual Director-Harp Therapist……