AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Volume 27, Number 1
March 2021

 

We hope you enjoy this free issue of Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction.

Presence is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes thought-provoking articles on topics of interest to spiritual directors and everyone interested in creating healing, peace, and justice through the ministry and service of spiritual direction and companionship. Presence also includes book reviews specifically of interest to people involved in spiritual care as well as reflections, artwork, and poetry.

Learn more about Presence here and become a member of SDI for a full subscription to Presence, along with many other benefits.

Articles

Nancy Flinchbaugh

 

Spiritual directors help me listen for God and reflect on my spiritual life. When I began a class with the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation on leading contemplative small groups and retreats, the instructors recommended we participate in regular spiritual direction. I interviewed several graduates of the program and visited with one for two years. When she retired, I felt myself drawn to Loretta Farmer, another spiritual director trained by Shalem.

Focus

After a year of grieving for the losses from catastrophic fires in both Australia and California, mourning the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and so many other Black brothers and sisters, surviving the most contentious political season in my lifetime, and being required to spend most of my days sequestered in my 900-square-foot condo, I don’t have much capacity for more trauma. 

Our Sponsors

Cover Art Spotlight

"Altar to the Four Elements" — Lisa Palchick

Lisa Palchick graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in painting, an MA in education, and an MA in communications from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. Lisa is now a working artist and a spiritual director and is affiliated with the Spirituality Network, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Contact Lisa
Lisa Palchick graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in painting, an MA in education, and an MA in communications from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. Lisa is now a working artist and a spiritual director and is affiliated with the Spirituality Network, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Contact Lisa at [email protected]

Our Sponsors

Our Sponsors

Reviews

by Mark Nepo

Reviewed by Monique CM Keffer

by Bruce A. Stevens

Reviewed by Kate Clark

by Alisa Kasmir

Reviewed by Pegge Erkeneff

by Richard Rohr, OFM

Reviewed by Linda Douty

by John Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, and Dennis Linn

Reviewed by Greg Richardson

by Kaitlin B. Curtice

Reviewed by Donna Erickson Couch

by Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin

Reviewed by Pegge Erkeneff

Bonus Reviews

A collection of media reviews exclusive to the web version of Presence

AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Publisher: Spiritual Directors International

Executive Director: Rev. Seifu Anil Singh-Molares, MTS

Editor: Nick Wagner

Media Review Editor:  Pegge Erkeneff

Art Editor: Matt Whitney

Web Designer: Ann Lancaster

Graphic Designer: Tobias Becker

Founding Editor: Susan S. Jorgensen, MA

Poetry Editor: Jennifer (Jinks) Hoffmann

Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction is published in March, June, September, and December. Presence offers a forum among diverse people and spiritual traditions for the exploration of present and future trends in the art and ministry of spiritual direction. Presence is grounded in the belief that our deepest calling is to be present to one another as we share the gift of ourselves. Presence strives to articulate the essential elements of contemplative practices, formation, and training; to encourage accountability; and to develop clear ethical guidelines. Presence supports a global contemplative dialog of spiritual care and compassion for others, ourselves, and the whole cosmos. ISSN 1081-7662.

Opinions expressed in this journal are the opinions of the authors and advertisers and may not represent the opinions of Spiritual Directors International, the coordinating council, or the editors. All biblical quotations are from the NRSV unless otherwise noted.

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