Creative Ministry - Week 1, Introduction (closed-all comments welcome under Brynn’s most recent post.)
Reading: Introduction
A very warm welcome to all who are joining this Advent book discussion of Creative Ministry by Henri Nouwen. If you've participated in a previous discussion, you know that a beautiful community will form in the days and weeks ahead. If this is your first time participating, we are so glad to have you join us! Please feel free to ask any questions, and to jump right in.
Each week on Monday I will add a new "Post" to the blog homepage (http://wp.henrinouwen.org/rgroup_blog/). In the Post I will invite you to participate by adding comments (reflections/responses/questions) based on that week's readings. Check back to the blog's main page often, to see new comments posted by others, and to make sure you are always participating in the newest "Post." Let's begin!
1) First of all, and most importantly, I invite each of you to introduce yourself. In addition to your first name, you might choose to share:
a) Your general geographic location
b) The activities/ purposes/ people to which or whom you devote your time
c) What brought you to this book discussion, or how you have come to know of Henri Nouwen
2) Life is such that each one of us has the opportunity to minister to another, almost every day of our lives. The purpose of this book, and this discussion, is to encourage one another as we try to do that well in light of Christ.
Right from the beginning, Henri invites us to move this discussion from the theoretical to the personal. As a means of facilitating that shift, I suggest you take some quiet time to consider the very challenging questions on page 6&7 (also here below). Sit with the questions, and be honest with yourself. I am not asking you to share your answers here, but you may share something that stirred in you, and what expectation it produced in you for this discussion that is ahead of us.
a) Who is God to me?
b) Does Jesus Christ really motivate my life?
c) How do I think about my own life and death?
d) What do I really have to do with my neighbours?
e) Is it my desire, task, or vocation to intervene in anyone's life at all?
f) Should I speak about love when I question in my own heart that love is a possibility?
g) Why read, talk, and teach about prayer when I never really experienced much of anything that deserves that title?
I am very much looking forward to "meeting" each of you, and to the rich discussion and growth that is ahead of us.
Brynn
November 21st, 2012 at 8:46 am
I am happy to be joining this discussion. I live in the Northwest part of Connecticut, and I am a Mother of two grown daughters, and one new grandaughter. I have been married to my husband, Harry, for 36 years, and faith has always been my central focus in life. It was instilled by my Mother, Catherine.
Currently, I am a Daughter of Wisdom associate, which is a lay person on the guidance of the religious Daughters of Wisdom, following the spirituality of Louis de Montfort, and Marie Louise Trichet.
My main mission and ministry is taking care of my Father, Edward. He is a widower, grieving his beloved, Catherine, and living on his own with assistance.
My joy is to be with him when I can, and help him move forward in his life.
I look forward to Creative Ministry to affirm my motives with my Dad.
Thank you and be well this day, amy catherine
November 22nd, 2012 at 3:24 am
Hello - my name is Sally-Ann and I live in a small village in Herefordshire in the United Kingdom. I am mother to seven incredible children.
This is a new experience for me but one that I anticipate eagerly and with joy.
My introduction to Henri Nouwen came as a result of a one line quotation in my devotions 4 years ago. It was in the very early days following the death of my beloved - I was intrigued by the quotation and ‘googled’ Henri..to discover a new approach and way of thinking and journeying through the pain of bereavement.
I have ordered this book and just know that this will be a season of blessing, challenge and refreshment as I join you on the journey.
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:12 am
I live in NE Wyoming. I am divorced (30+ years ago), no children. For 23 years I was DRE of our local parish; I continue to be actively involved in the parish as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector & head of our Bereavement Ministry. I have also been a Benedictine Oblate for 30 years and continue to find that a source of encouragement, challenge and spiritual enrichment. For the last 7 1/2 years I have been Executive Director of the Dog & Cat Shelter, Inc. That is a demanding, and often sad, job as we deal daily with the reslts of our throw-away society that values life very little. I recently participated in one of the study groups looking at poverty in our small community and working to choose a few priorities on which to work to alleviate it. Now I am on one of the seven task forces, each working on one of those priorities.
In my spare time I take care of my two acres, which I’m trying to turn into the Garden of Eden and which is a certified Backyard Habitat. I breed German Shepherd Dogs of European working lines, and compete in agility. I also am a tester/observer for Therapy Dogs Inc, which means I not only visit nursing homes with my four certified GSD’s but also screen potential handler/dog teams and do supervised visits to the nursing homes with them so that they can be certified.
Last Advent’s reflection made me realize that, between the constant struggle to raise money to keep the shelter going and the emotional drain of comforting abandoned animals, trying to find them homes and dealing with irresponsible and often unkind owners, I was near burnout. After a lot of prayer and consultation with my confessor, I decided to go from 5 days a week to 4, and with the money we saved on my salary I was able to begin training a staff member to be co-director. That began in April and almost immediately I realized I held a lot of anger and frustration, previously buried deep, from years of working extremely hard to the point of losing much of my personal life, for both the parish and the shelter. I continue to try to heal and let go of all that while I try to learn to slow down and feel okay about admitting I don’t have energy to do all I used to and saying no to new things. I try to have at least one day a week totally unscheduled so I can putter around my place, do the yardwork leisurely and enjoy the flowers, the birds who come to my feeders and all the trees & shrubs I have planted for them, and my dogs. I’m also working on spending more time with friends, who have been neglected because this introvert had no energy left over from work to do things with them.
I am a seeker of wisdom and hope to grow someday into a truly wise person who integrates what she learns of God into every aspect of her life.
November 22nd, 2012 at 11:05 am
Hi! Im Marianne and I live near Calgary, Alberta Canada. I’m a Clinical Instructor for Alberta Health Services. We have 3 children. 2 recently moved out but we still have a teen at home. I’m in the sandwich generation - still parenting but giving support to my aging parents who live nearby - my Dad has Alzheimer’s. I also live with chronic Migraines.
I’ve participated in a few of these book studies and last year was the first Advent season I enjoyed in a good long while because of this book study.
These are really great questions to start off with. I’ve often read that a person’s view of God mimmicks their relationship with their Earthly father. I have found this to be true. In my 20s, I veiwed God as a harsh and unforgiving task-master. Amazingly through his journey with Alzheimer’s Disease, my Dad and I have become very close as we lost the “father daughter” relationship and shifted into a relationship with more give and take. I experience God as a God who cares for me in a personal way.
Looking forward to reading more comments.
November 22nd, 2012 at 10:57 pm
I live in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. I am retired from teaching elementary school. I am married. We have 2 grown children.
Our son & his family live in Melbourne, Australia & our daughter is a teacher and she lives with us.
Presently, I support the 2 adults I live with, my spouse who is a volunteer firefighter who does ongoing working in the small community we live in & our
daughter who teaches Gr. 7 & 8. In addition I provide meals, house cleaning & support to my 85 year old father-in-law who also lives closes by.
I receive the daily devotion from Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto and in reading it I observed an invitation to the Advent series and was excited to see this opportunity available & decided it would be a great experience to participate in.
I came to know Henri Nouwen through a teacher I worked with and she was born in Holland. Her work was with the Special Needs students and she introduced me to the writings of H. Nouwen.
One summer we had an opportunity to go to a L’Arche Daybreak home where our visit consisted of working with the staff and the adults who lived in this home.
It was during this visit that I became even more curious about H. Nouwen’s writings & work with L’Arche in Toronto. This lead me to read Henri N. books.
I look forward to doing this study and sharing my reflections and responses to questions and I have enjoyed reading the introduction of other participants that have been submitted.
A special thanks to the moderator, Brynn, who makes everyone so welcome & for your new posting every Monday to the blog homepage.
November 23rd, 2012 at 9:40 am
This is my first book study. I am really looking forward to sharing and growing in the Lord via this excercise.
I live near Syracuse, New York. I am married to a wonderful women, Patty by name, for the past 19 years. We have three wonderful boys. One to be married December 29th and two still at home.
I have worked in nursing homes for the past 25 years. My mother is actually in the nursing home where I currently work (past 14 years). I teach Faith Formation on Mondays and Wednesdays to 5th and 6th graders and am a team member in our RCIA program. God has blessed me abundantly and this is my little way of trying to give back.
November 23rd, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Greetings to each of you I’m Ray and I live in Columbia, Maryland (just west of I-95 between Baltimore and Washington). Between us my wife Dawn and I have seven children (ranging in age 38 to 18) and three grandchildren. We are Catholic and active in our parish (e.g., confirmation small group leaders, Eucharistic ministers) and in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal as members of the Mother of God Catholic covenant community.
I have participated in a number of these Henri Houwen book discussions during the past few years and the fact that it is about to get underway is one more thing to be grateful for on this Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S. And those that are joining us for the first time are in for a wonderful experience expertly and thoughtfully moderated by Brynn.
Reflecting on the the questions Henri poses and Brynn restates above, it seems to me that they are directly related to the Catholic Church’s call for a “New Evangelization” that is being emphasized in the Year of Faith that we have just entered. Our personal answers to questions (a) to (c) provide the impetus to our actions in response to questions (d) to (g). In a very real sense, a major element of the “New Evangelization” must be a mission to our secular western society. This is a fertile field for the Creative Ministry that we will be discussing.
This idea is reinforced in the book, Secularity and the Gospel - Being Missionaries to our Children - the report of a series of symposia written and edited by Fr. Ronald Rolheiser. Key to a successful missionary journey is the ability of the missionary to “speak the language” of those being ministered to. And Fr. Rolheiser reports that the symposia selected Henri Nouwen as an exemplar in this regard. Rolheiser writes, “What made Nouwen so popular…was not just his depth, though that was unique; it was also his language… Nouwen used to rewrite his books many times over in an attempt to make them simpler and simpler, to make them more accessible to more people… In doing that… he developed a language of faith for secularity.”
These are certainly times that call for Creative Ministry and I am looking forward to sharing this Advent journey with Henri Nouwen and each of you.
Peace and all good,
Ray
November 24th, 2012 at 3:32 am
Following on from my earlier post..and in response to part b:
After the death of my husband and 32 years of teaching young people with special educational needs I had the opportunity to take ‘early’ retirement.
Sensing that God somehow had a better plan for my life even in the midst of grief, and on the advice of my husband before he passed away, I took that opportunity and returned to his village in Herefordshire and rebuild our family home here. I was welcomed with open arms by people in the village and for the first time in my life felt that I had arrived where I truly belonged. (I was born and brought up in Zimbabwe and Malawi but had had to leave home at the age of 12 years)
At that time my life was an empty canvas, a blank page. Gradually God has added little ‘bits’ to it - all of it based around the principle of servanthood.
I sensed that it would be wrong to ‘fill’ my life with stuff that was not of God’s leading and had to learn to spend time being quiet and waiting - not always patiently or quietly but God has been gracious. As a result I find myself serving God and my community in a number of unexpectedly different ways.
Within Church I now serve on the Leadership team heading up and coordinating the work of the Diaconate and the business of the organisation. Much of my time is devoted to that but also to mentoring young adults and opening my home to them. I am part of our Home Group network and Prayer Ministry team. We have a Festival each year when about 6000 people visit our church over a 5 day period and I lead the Prayer and Pastoral Ministry during that time.
Within my local community God is challenging me to be in relationship with the people who live within the village. My 10 month Border Collie puppy ensures that I am out and about daily encountering people and forming those friendships!
My children all live away and are making their own life journeys. I commit to spend time with them wherever they are but more often than not they love to come ‘home’ and just ‘be’ family. This is a source of great joy, comfort and often hilarity as we have fun together.
Life is not what I had anticipated or expected. I could not have written the life story that God has led me through - but through it all, I do believe that He has been faithful and is bringing me to a place where His plan for my life is being fully worked out.
Engaging in this forum during Advent will, I am sure, further strengthen that heart longing and commitment to live out my life serving.
November 24th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
It is so good to read your introductions. From what each of you has shared, I know we will have a wonderful discussion. I’m looking forward to starting in to chapter one on Monday.
About three years ago, I was honoured to take on the position of Project Coordinator for the Henri Nouwen Archives Letter Project. Maureen (Henri Nouwen Society) asked me to facilitate the Advent discussion at that time, and it was such a blessing. I find each discussion group is different, and each time I learn so much from each participant. Of course these discussions help me to really take some time to ponder what Henri writes, and I am always so grateful for his insights.
I was recently married, and that has been a truly amazing gift. It is our desire that our marriage fulfills God’s plan that the marriage relationship represents God’s love and everlasting covenant to the world. And so during this discussion I will be thinking a lot about Creative Ministry within our marriage, as well as ministry to others through the example of our marriage.
I found the questions a through c to be really grounding, and the questions d through g to be thought provoking. They open up my mind and prepare me for the chapters ahead.
More participants are welcome to join at any time! I look forward to reading more introductions today and tomorrow, and to starting into the book on Monday.
Have a wonderful Saturday,
Brynn
November 24th, 2012 at 11:32 pm
Greetings!
My name is Chuck, and I am looking forward to this book study. I came into the last one about half way through, so I am excited to start this one off from the beginning.
I am 53 years old, and live in Arizona, USA. I am an assistant principal, currently dividing my time between two elementary schools. I also teach part time at our local community college. I am active in our local parish, being involved in religious education for both adults and children, as well as some other activities.
I began reading Henri Nouwen a few years ago, and have become increasingly interested in his writings, so I thank you for this opportunity to participate in this book study.
Looking forward to it,
Chuck
November 25th, 2012 at 9:01 am
After enjoying the Advent study so much, I signed up for the Lenten study but, despite the book being one of my favorites, just couldn’t get into it. There were too many upheavals in my life as I realized was close to burnout and needed to do something about it. Between that and a litter of puppies and yardwork, I had no energy for reflection. I love Advent studies because the weather has ended yardwork and training outdoors, and I relax mentally. I have been reflecting on the introductory questions, especially the third one. Along with the changes in my life, I’ve noticed I’m aging. By slowing down, I gave myself permisison to acknowledge that I have more aches and pains - and lots less energy - than I used to. For the first time ever I began wishing I could retire and not have to face the heavy schedule, constant deadlines for fundraising and the emotional drain of comforting abandoned animals and dealing with people who have no cllue about responsible pet ownership or meeting their charge’s basic emotional and physical needs. Since I’ve worked for non-profits most of my life, I have little retirement benefits so must continue working after I turn 65 this spring. How do I integrate taking care of myself, especially by relieving stress, and still help others? God has always been a loving presence to me and I’ve always felt in return that I should give of my gifts to others in need (”Pass it on”). How do I continue to do that while at the same time take care of my aging self? I’m alone, with no family to speak of (aging mother 2000 miles away and two sisters in same area with which I have little contact). I have realized this year that, as I worked harder and harder to meet needs and deadlines, I drew away from friends. A deep introvert, I had no energy to work on friendships - just wanted to come home and rest in my peaceful, quiet surroundings. Now I feel the need to rebuild relationships - or build new ones - but have not yet figured out how to start and at the same time continue the slower pace I need. I hope this Advent study will give me an idea of “Step 1.” My Creative Ministry book came Friday night. It’s a new Nouwen work for me and I read it yesterday. I’m definitely looking forward to our discussion.
November 25th, 2012 at 9:27 am
My name is Josie from Manila, Philippines, a widow with two married sons and three grandchildren. I was introduced to Henri Nouwen by our spiritual director Fr. Joseph Larsen, in Faith and light over 25 years ago. I have faithfully followed his books since then, and have always felt inspired,, consoled or uplifted by his writings. I
presently am a friend and council member in L’Arch, Philippines. I also am a marital and family counselor at the Center for Family Ministries, a Jesuit ministry. I would like to deepen my experience of Advent through this discussion group.
November 25th, 2012 at 6:26 pm
My name is Kathryn, I live in the midwest. I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist, and have worked for a hospice almost 20 years. This will be my third advent reading with Henri Nouwen. Advent has been a special way to celebrate Chrsitmas in my family since my children were little, they are now 23 and 29. I was introduced to Henri Nouwen by my spritual guide, who was ordained by Henri. I am looking forward to the community discussions and journeying toward God together, celebrating the dawning of the everylasting light.
November 25th, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Well, we are off to a wonderful start. Thank you to each of you who has decided to embark on this journey together - it is going to be a really important time.
I have now made the new “Post” for Week 2, so come on over and add any new comments in the newest Post (see the link at the top, right hand side, of this page). New introductions are always welcome, but share them in the newest Post so that everyone sees them. Looking forward to a great week!
Brynn
November 26th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
My name is Evelyn and I live in Austin, Texas. I am an elder in the Presbyterian Church and a retired school administrator and graduate school instructor in a state university. I am looking forward to participating in the Nouwen Advent study and to reading comments from other participants. I especially appreciate Brynn who is kind enough to facilitate our discussions.
November 26th, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Hi Evelyn,
So glad you are joining us! Just be sure to come over to the newest post - we’ve started in to Week 2, so add any new comments there.
You can find the new post by going to the top of this page and clicking on the link that says “Creative Ministry - Week Two »”
You can also go to the very top of the page and click on the banner that says “Welcome to Nouwen Book Discussions” that will take you to the home page and you’ll see the new post at the very top. See you there!
Brynn
November 28th, 2012 at 1:11 am
Hello everyone,
I am coming into the discussion a bit late. I am a high school principal with one two children, one still at home (a high school junior). I have been a part of high school education for 30 years, but only 5 as a principal.
I was introduced to the works of Henri Nouwen from a friend of mine who studied with him at Harvard. As a result, I have a copy of Bread for the Journey and Beloved which are my morning prayer manuals.
I am eager to be a part of this prayer partnership this Advent because this season has always challenged me to become more aware, more present to those around me. As a season of reflection, it’s a good time to reach back and reminisce, but that reflection provides us with the fuel to make plans to move forward. It’s a season or prayerful creativity.
Glad to be a part of the group!
November 29th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Hello Everyone,
My name is Grace and I am living in Ireland. I retired one year ago from a lifetime of teaching pupils with special educational needs.
I’m a little late in joining the discussion, but I’ve purchased the book Creative Ministry and am looking forward to reading reflectively along with the Reading group.
November 30th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
HI Grace,
Great to have you join us… but make sure you come over to Week 2, so that everyone sees your comment.
You can find the new post by going to the top of this page and clicking on the link that says “Creative Ministry - Week Two »”
You can also go to the very top of the page and click on the banner that says “Welcome to Nouwen Book Discussions” that will take you to the home page and you’ll see the new post at the very top. See you there!
Brynn
December 1st, 2012 at 11:01 am
Hi
I am happy to be taking part in the discussion. I participated in the last one on the Wounder Healer. I just love Henri’s work
Looking forward to sharing thoughts
December 1st, 2012 at 11:38 am
Hi,
I am a married, recently retired kindergarten teacher with two grown children.
I live near Asheville, NC and am a member of the Episcopal Church.
I have read Henri Nouwen’s book for years and and am looking forward to the discussions.
December 1st, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Hi Dr. Connie and Janet - great to have you join us. We’ve already moved on to week 2, and will soon be moving on to week three… so please post in the newest post (even your introductory comments) as other participants won’t see these comments.
Looking forward to hearing more from you!
Brynn
December 16th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Well, I am really late in joining the reading and discussion group - but know it was no accident this website opened up without my seeking it.
I have been a spiritual director since 2000, having attended a three year program after the death of my husband in 1998. The program was ecumenical but Ignatian based, and have since done individual and group spiritual direction as well as directing retreatants on 8 day silent retreats. This ministry has made me very aware of graced moments in retreatants’ lives as well as my own. I had three sons, two of whom have died and the third has removed himself from my presence, so have really grieved from the loss of all three sons. God has been very present to me through these stages of grieving. Last June, I remarried, sold my large home with pool to my granddaughter, lived in a motorhome while we looked for a simple place to live, then moved into a small condo - giving away much of my furniture and lifetime of collected “treasures.” Though all was done willingly and with discernment, the stress of these many changes has had a cumulative effect. My spiritual director a week ago invited me to dwell on letting in the light this Advent season and this past week, my burdens have seemed much lighter. I also had to give up my peer supervision group with the move (too far away), so I feel like this group will take up the slack of the loss of this group until I can find and participate in another peer group. The light continues to grow and glow as I follow my director’s sound suggestion - and look where the light led me today. Thank you for permitting people to join at any time.