3-week series: Aug 1, 8, 15

During this time, many people feel the need to pray differently and are looking for new ways to do this. It has been said that poetry and prayer are bound like twins.  Reading poetry can be a doorway into deeper prayer, a prayer that leaves room for the divine to surprise us.  We will gather and explore the words of David Whyte, Wendell Berry, Christine Valters Paintner and others.  We will share our experiences and images and leave with some inspiration for our own words.

Leader: Jo Ann Bourquard

Jo Ann is an experienced spiritual director and supervisor with a Master’s Degree in Ministry with a concentration in spirituality from Hartford Seminary and also holds a certificate in Women’s Leadership.  She is knowledgeable in Jungian spiritual direction. An experienced educator, speaker and retreat leader, Jo Ann has facilitated discernment days of reflection with themed topics such as loss, self-care, prayer and life transition. She has particular experience with ministry to widowed and divorced persons as well as those with serious illnesses.