Judith Favor

Author

Lenten Writing

By

STILLPOINT PRESENTS

Lenten Writing:

Befriending Spiritual Fitness with Rev. Judith Favor

“The spiritually fit person knits back together the separateness of work and play, reunites being and doing, has a spirit place in nature, never eats without thanking somebody and refuses to let all time be the same.”
— Donna Schaper, Sabbath Sense

Saturday, March 4, 2017
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
1221 Wass Street, Tustin, CA 92780

Cost: $48
($58 if you would like a lunch provided)

Register now at stillpointca.org/calendar-event/writing-2017

Stillpoint invites you to gather on the first Saturday after Ash Wednesday to practice spiritual fitness with self, others, God and creation. Gently guided writing exercises open fresh perspectives on past, present and future, helping restore spiritual energies for the work of social change. Spiritually responsive journaling has helped generations of seekers cope with inevitable disruptions; it has guided countless people in learning from failures and challenges.

It is so easy to lose track of what we value. Contemplative writing helps us sit still long enough to see what has been ignored or misplaced; it grounds us as we forge links between interior and social realities; it restores our spiritual direction. Pen in hand, we gather in Sacred Presence with like-hearted souls to listen together for the still, small voice, to behold what we hear and to see new truths flow naturally onto the page. Prayerful writing in the company of others is a powerful way of tending the soul and mending the universe.

Stillpoint • PO Box 94535, Pasadena, California 91109 • StillpointHQ@gmail.com • stillpointca.org

ASKING WRITERS about The Beacons of Larkin Street

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Working Cover Draft for The Beacons, a new novel by Judith Favor

Working Cover Draft for The Beacons
a new novel
by Judith Favor

 

Reading connects people;
so does writing.

Writing helps clarify ideas,
keep track of details
and discover hidden meanings.

Expressing our truths with love
connects us—physically, mentally,
emotionally and spiritually—
to our readers
and to our deepest selves.

 

We read to know we are not alone.

C.S.Lewis

 

  • The Beacons of Larkin Street is a Nineteen-Seventies historical novel written by a contemplative feminist great-grandmother, an ordained minister who once pastored a church in San Francisco.
  • Where do you see contemplative perspectives influencing the stories? Feminist perspectives?  Grandmotherly points of view?  Ministerly perspectives?
  • Set in San Francisco, twelve aspects of the City structure the novel. What connections do you see between the human characters and the character of San Francisco?
  • Tales of The Beacons move between the perspectives of seven women. Do you find the author’s omniscient POV to be confusing, credible, clear, challenging or something else?
  • If Beka were the sole narrator, the reader would get one singular angle on each character. Do you think Beka’s POV would have strengthened the novel?  Why or why not?
  • If she were the sole voice, Rev Ruth would have told the story very differently. Would you prefer her first-person voice? Why or why not?
  • Which of Rev Ruth’s difficulties as a first-time pastor give you the greatest insight into her character? The most compassion for her?
  • How about Beka’s efforts to guide things as Saint Lydia’s Head Beacon?
  • The seven women have different sexual orientations and diverse attitudes about sexuality and spirituality. Did the author convince you that each is justified in her beliefs and practices?  Why or why not?
  • In Dot and Rev Ruth’s conflict over communion, do you think the resolution took too long, or came too fast? How might you have done it?
  • Who was your favorite character? What about her intrigued you?
  • Which scene was your favorite? What made it memorable?
  • At the end, several story lines are left unresolved. Do you wish the author had resolved the characters’ dilemmas?
  • Do you think Rev Ruth will live or die? Return to guide St. Lydia’s, or go to Cleveland?
  • What do you think will become of Paige? Dot?  Hope and Millienne?  Luz?
  • Are there other subplots you wonder about?
  • This is the first in a trilogy. Which dilemmas and storylines do you most want resolved in a sequel?

“As It Is: Spiritual Journaling”
(class starting soon!)

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As It Is: Spiritual Journaling with Judith Favor (banner)

Monday, August 8th – Friday, September 2nd, 2106

www.spiritualityandpractice.com (Sign-up Webpage)

“As it is.”

These three little words embedded in the lines of a prayer taught by Jesus remind us to seek the workings of the divine “on earth as it is in heaven” — that is, to approach our many challenges in union with Sacred Presence. But how? One profound and reassuringly helpful tool to foster this sense of unity is spiritual journaling. Through contemplative writing, we get practice in recognizing and responding to our relationship with God, self, others, nature, work, and society just “as it is.”

Spiritual Journaling opens space to relate to deep questions:

  • What does this event or this emotion have to say to me?
  • What can this disappointment teach me about healing?
  • What does this discovery reveal to me about the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit?
  • How can my anguish over the suffering of this person or that group stir my love into action?
  • How can my felt sense of yearning guide me in taking the next best step in this situation?

Whatever spiritual path you are on, this e-course will equip you to explore interior, interpersonal, social, and sacred realities. Holy questions gleaned from scripture, poetry, and literature will offer a variety of perspectives on faith and doubt, action and reflection. In each email sent on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for four weeks, you will receive:

  • An introductory reflection on the day’s topic
  • A tip for getting started with your writing
  • A special query to spark your thoughts and journal writing
  • A suggested action and resources for going deeper if you wish
  • A link to the “Practice Circle” (a community forum open 24/7 to share with others in this e-course and to receive guidance from Judith)

Judith began journaling when she was ten, in a small blue diary with a gold lock and miniature key. She chose a ballpoint pen, because she knew that writing in pencil would let her fudge the truth. In 1974, she began a lifelong love affair with keeping a journal, studying journaling as an art form and not only writing but also inserting soul collages, tree photos, and icons in her journals.

In 1981 she enrolled at Pacific School of Religion and then went on to be pastor of United Church of Christ congregations in San Francisco until the ministries of spiritual formation and writing laid claim to her soul. She now lives with her husband Pete at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, California. Her heart is enriched by her work in spiritual accompaniment, teaching, and contemplative writing.

Judith invites you to freely express your full range of written reactions in this e-course — confused or certain thoughts, positive or negative emotions — because each aspect of the truth of yourself will reveal valuable insights. You may want to follow her journaling prompts exactly; you may also view them as a trampoline and record the bouncing associations that follow. This e-course gives you lots of freedom, most of all the freedom to follow your heart and the arc of your own life’s story.

(4 CEHs for chaplains available.)

Monday, August 8 – Friday, September 2

[The above text content courtesy of www.spiritualityandpractice.com]

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