Today is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a season in which we wait and ponder and reflect on the Christ who has been present from the beginning, who came as the Word made flesh among us, and who will come again.

Greetings %FIRSTNAME%,

It is time…

time to prepare our hearts and minds and bodies for Jesus Christ. Not just for this season, but for all the days of our lives. The graphic above speaks truth: “Put God first and everything else will fall into place.” As Christians we know this to be true; but it is seldom our reality. Why is that? I believe it is because it requires intentionality, commitment, time, a safe place/community, and often trial and error to figure out what works for us…and so it too often gets set aside as “something I’d like to do better at some day.”

It is time…

Last month I introduced you to the concept of the Spiritual Wellness Community Membership…a place for Christian Women Pastors and Leaders to learn, share, reflect and try out Spiritual Disciplines so that you can grow into that person who does, indeed, put God first so that everything else can fall into place in your life. As Pastors and Leaders, you probably need a safe community in which to explore your path and find what works for you….something which is impossible to do in the congregations and Christian communities in which you serve.

(men who receive my newsletters are invited to share this email with the women pastors and leaders you know)

It is time…

Register now through December 15 and you can get that first month of December free AND then still be at the Founding Member rate of $15 per month beginning in January.

Go to: angelstringsministry.com and click on “membership” at the top of the page to register.

Here is the upcoming schedule (all times are Eastern)-all sessions will take place via Zoom and recordings will be made available for those who cannot attend in person:

1st Tuesday at 4:00 pm-Introduction of Monthly Spiritual Wellness Topic and announcement of Book for discussion in week 4.

2nd Tuesday at 4:00 pm-Group Spiritual Direction using Lectio Divina and a scripture related to our Monthly Topic.

3rd Tuesday at 4:00 pm-Practicing Spiritual Wellness through Guided Meditation.

4th Tuesday at 4:00 pm-Book discussion with a special focus on how it illuminates the Monthly Spiritual Wellness Topic.

5th Tuesdays at 4:00 pm will be an optional time of fellowship and prayer.

As for the Monthly Spiritual Wellness Topics and related books, here is a list for the next few months:

December 2022 (beta test month)

Topic: Spiritual Disciplines

Book: Celebration of Disciplines: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster

Scripture: “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30

NO BOOK DISCUSSION IN DECEMBER DUE TO HOLIDAY, BUT THIS BOOK SHOULD BE READ BY ALL MEMBERS

January 2023

Topic: Ignatian Examen

Book: Reimagining the Ignatian Examen by Mark Thibodeaux

Scripture: “All the ways of a person are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:2-3

February 2023

Topic: Lectio Divina

Book: The Inner Chapel by Becky Eldredge

Scripture: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

March 2023

Topic: Silent Meditation

Book: Into the Silent Land by Martin Laird

Scripture: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

April 2023

Topic: Discernment of Spirits

Book: Discernment of Spirits by Timothy Gallagher

Scripture: “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but theSpirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.” 1 Corinthians 2:12

It is time…

What better time than the Season of Advent to dive into your relationship with Jesus and how/what Spiritual Disciplines can foster that relationship and put it at the center of your life so that all you do flows forth from that deep well.

Please join me.

In the Spirit of the Season of Advent,

Julie Parsell

Pastor+Spiritual Director+Harp Therapist