Reading: Foreword by Wendy Wilson Greer and Preface by Sue Mosteller
(Note: The complete Reading Schedule is available by following the link in the navigation bar located directly below the photo at the top of the page.)
A very warm welcome to each of you–friends who have journeyed with us before and those joining us for the first time. You will find here, in the weeks ahead, a wonderful group of seekers who encourage each other in their desire after the heart of God. This summer we will be reading and discussing Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and the Spirit, a collection of four short Henri Nouwen essays that complement each other wonderfully. I’m glad that you will be joining us as we follow Henri’s lead on this spiritual journey.
Those of you that have participated before already know how rich and rewarding the exchange of ideas within our online community can be. If you are a newcomer, rest assured that your appreciation of this book will be deepened by the comments and insights shared among this welcoming group. As the facilitator my role is to prepare a space and scatter a few seeds that, when joined with the seeds sown by each of you and nurtured by the group, will grow into a rich and fruitful exchange among a special and caring community.
Here is how we will proceed. Each Sunday a new “post” will be added to the blog’s homepage that will include a title shown in bold, a reminder of the reading being discussed that week, and a brief reflection with several questions that may help to get our discussion started. You can then add your comments to the post for the current week and reply to the comments posted by others. What you share in your comments is totally up to you. You may choose to respond to one or more of the questions, to share your reflections on the reading, or to comment more broadly from your life’s experience. And if you would be more comfortable participating by reading along and reflecting on the comments of others without posting yourself, that is fine as well. Always click on the ‘comments’ link immediately below the current post (i.e., the first one you come to at the top) to leave your comment. In this case, it is immediately below Ray’s brief bio. Note: To leave a “new comment” (i.e., not a reply to an existing comment by someone), scroll to the bottom of all existing comments to the “comment box” and enter your new comment there.
Please note that when comments are submitted they are held for moderation so it may be a few hours before you see your comment posted. If you have any questions about how to use the blog, please feel free ask. You may contact me at ray.glennon@1972.usna.com or Maureen at admin@henrinouwen.org.
With that background out of the way, let’s get started! You are invited to introduce yourself and to reflect on the Foreword and Preface. In your introduction you may choose to share:
- Your general geographic location
- To whom or what you dedicate your days and energy, and why
- Whether you’ve participated in previous book discussions, or if you are joining us for the first time. For the first-timers, how did you learn about this book discussion?
- In the Foreword Wendy Wilson Greer writes, “Our journey, then, is a journey to discover the perfect love that only God can give us.” What might “finding my way home” mean to you in the current stage of your life and spiritual journey.
I look forward to hearing from each of you as we share this wonderful book together.
Peace and all good,
Ray
RAY GLENNON: Ray is a lifelong Catholic who lives in Columbia, Maryland and is active as a lector and in his parish Confirmation and adult faith formation programs. He and his wife are also members of a Catholic charismatic community. Ray first became familiar with Henri’s work over 20 years ago; he came to know and trust Henri’s written word in a special way in 2004 when he found The Return of the Prodigal Son for sale after Mass at the cathedral in Singapore at an important point in his life. Ray has participated in these book discussions since 2010. You may contact him at ray.glennon@1972.usna.com and you can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/@RayGlennon.