This spring Mennonite Spiritual Directors Network (MSDN) gathered virtually for two retreats. We will be posting presentations to share amongst the larger MSDN community.
Great Lakes MSDN Retreat 2020
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION IN TIME OF
PANDEMIC BREAK OUT SESSION
Led by Jane Thorley Roeschley, May 12 2020
Blessing in a Time of Anxiety
When your soul cries out in fear,
may the God of peace quiet you.
When the world shakes beneath your feet,
may the strength of stone hold you firm.
When lack and scarcity pinch your life,
may the rich green earth nourish you.
When your body grows weak from exhaustion,
may the oak tree lend you strength.
When all seems lost,
may birdsong and sunlight give you hope.
When your soul quakes with anxiety,
may the Christ-spirit enfold you,
and may Divine Love cast out all fear.
from Celtic Prayers in Times of Crisis
compiled by Ellyn Sanna
Anamchara Books, 2020
This break-out session gathered 7 Zoom participants to explore together, for almost an hour: the effects of the pandemic spiritually for us and our directees, some key questions and concerns we are noticing with our directees, some spiritual resources we are discovering for supporting directees in this time of pandemic, and where we sense we are being called to conversion and transformation in the praying we are doing in this time.
The reflections on hymn texts that we’d been invited to share in the morning plenary resentation gave us a good grounding as we came into this break-out session. We began by introducing ourselves and briefly sharing one practice we each are engaging to help us in the sheltering-in-place and safe-distancing reality. We heard about meditation, long walks, sacred reading, engaging with nature and gardening, and selected online spiritual group gatherings.
We then viewed the Psalm 23 video clip (see resource page) that reminded us of how, from the vantage point of one white woman of faith (likely middle class), people might be experiencing their lives right now as a type of “spinning”. We pondered how this clip gives us insights into the questions and concerns, griefs and losses we are noting in our directees right now. We talked about observing some kinds of restlessness and desire for something more in how people encounter God, though the ways for that may be new or unknown. “This isn’t just a holiday any longer,” said one participant.
During the central portion of the session, we shared together what we’re discovering we might have to offer, as spiritual directors, to our directees and our communities in this time of pandemic. I reflected on hearing Christine Valters Paintner describe this as “an involuntary pilgrimage” that the entire world has been thrust upon. Indeed, the spiritual challenges and gifts of the practice of pilgrimage might be especially apt for a time such as this – leaving what is familiar, heading into the unknown or liminal space and time, trusting in a Divine presence to care and guide, being changed in ways we cannot yet know.
We also reflected on how the hardships and challenges of the pandemic provide opportunities for — perhaps even force us and our directees to push to the edges of discomfort and/or suffering which can, if we have appropriate supports, help us to expand our capacities to respond to life’s disruptions. In a time of unforeseen disruption, there are hidden opportunities for enlarging our capacities for sitting with unknowing and ambiguity, tending grief, navigating ruptured trust, enduring suffering – all of which are hard spiritual work. And at the same time, being sent on “involuntary pilgrimage” also offers hidden opportunities for enlarging faith, hope and trust – by being in the present moment, exploring wonder and awe, practicing gratitude, abiding in Divine Presence where all is held in Love. We noted with appreciation the morning scripture reflection on Philippians 4:8, “Finally, dear ones, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
We have unique opportunities with our directees just now, in this time of pandemic, to accompany them in engaging the ancient spiritual wisdom of holding both/and: both anxiety and gratitude, both fear and trust, both suffering and compassion. Being able to enlarge our capacities for trusting God in the midst of all the we hold in this time of challenge, disruption and change, is a noble spiritual path that opens before us.
We drew the break-out session to a close by sharing together about prayers and resources that we are finding supportive in our own journeys. Participants spoke about reprioritizing in their prayer life, turning to prayers for the world, meditating on “casting our cares” on God, gazing lovingly at creation and listening deeply with directees. A final resource that was shared is the Welcome Prayer that teaches us to notice what we are experiencing, all thoughts, feelings and situations, especially as they are experienced in the body, to “welcome” them instead of a tendency to resist what we do not like/want, and then to let go of our desires for security, approval, control or the ability to change things, instead opening ourselves to God’s loving presence and healing action within. This is a practice that can slowly lead to inner conversion and transformation, though it happens at a level that is below conscious thought or control.
The session closed with the Blessing in Time of Anxiety that is at the top of this article. This and other resources mentioned in this break-out session are all listed on the accompanying Resources page.
Reverend Jane Thorley Roeschley, MACF
Threshold Ministries- Spiritual Direction, Retreat, Pilgrimage
Graymont, IL 61743
815.848.5978
Resources for Spiritual Direction Companionship During Safe-Distancing and Pandemic
Great Lakes Mennonite Spiritual Directors Network Retreat, May 13, 2020
compiled by Jane Thorley Roeschley, updated on June 9, 2020
- Psalm 23 – “Spinning”- https://www.facebook.com/samantha.beach.77/videos/3788695872691/
- Celtic Prayers for Times of Crisis, Compiled by Ellyn Sanna (Anamchara Books, 2020)
- A photo and musical version of Blessing in a Time of Anxiety, by Don and Jean Oswald, is available here. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1nEQxWmxPsLzhjCzyua7B5AA8zLEh9M4T
- The Welcome Prayer as taught by Cynthia Bourguealt – https://wisdomwayofknowing.org/resource-directory/the-welcoming-practice/
- SDI Webinar Remote Spiritual Companionship, Deep Listening, Pandemic – https://www.sdiworld.org/educational-event/remote-spiritual-companionship-deep-listening-distance-pandemic ($19 for members)
- Spirituality and Practice Resources for the Pandemic Page https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/features/view/28880/spiritual-resources-for-the-covid-19-pandemic
- Recordings of 7 SDI Digital Refuge Town Halls — free and accessible on http://sdicompanions.online or SDI’s You Tube Channel. “Serving the Soul in Initiatory Times,” “Spiritual Companionship for Our Times” , “How to Be Brave and Spacious”, “Sun-faced Buddha. Moon-faced Buddha – A Zen Response to the Pandemic,” “Opening Your Heart – Intimacy with the Divine,” “Spiritual Direction Supervision – A Town Hall with Lucy Abbott Tucker and Rev. Seifu Anil Singh-Molares” and “Interspiritual Meditation – Town Hall with Ed Bastian.”
- Ignatian Spirituality Seven Spiritual Resources for a Time of Pandemic – https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/seven-spiritual-strategies-for-a-time-of-pandemic/
- Harvard Spiritual Life Resources During Pandemic – https://hds.harvard.edu/life-at-hds/religious-and-spiritual-life/spiritual-resources-during-covid-19-pandemic
- Rejoice! For Such a Time as This: Reflections no Covid-19 (digital, free) – https://store.mennomedia.org/Rejoice-A-Time-Such-As-This-download-P5792.aspxutm_content=bab9ebb76abfe0b0456b753e5fad6e1a&utm_campaign=A%20Time%20Such%20As%20This%3A%20Special%20FREE%20Edition%20Rejoice%21%20daily%20devotional&utm_source=Robly.com&utm_medium=email
- Shepherd Heart Ministry Consulting – https://www.shepherdheartconsulting.com/about/
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