(I actually recorded this episode about two weeks ago, but unexpectedly ended up in the hospital for a few days, so everything got delayed for a while. I am still very tired and trying to recover from lingering respiratory issues. Even during this recording, you can tell my voice is a little bit strained. Also please note that my Colossians Study: Read Your Bible, Read Your Life study has been postponed by a week and starts this Wednesday, July 15. Join us online!)
Near the end of the episode, I tell about my latest upcoming project, a new book! I also describe how I intend to get it done, namely by doing an independent research course in seminary as one of my electives. The professor did agree to supervise my research, and reminded me that I only need to write two papers for the class and not a whole book. However, this research will lay the groundwork for writing a solid content book, and I am free to complete as much as I want of my manuscript this fall semester too. I just submitted the final forms, reading list, and updated proposal to the seminary for the dean's approval. I don't anticipate this will be a problem. What is it about? Listen and find out! Or, just keep reading....
Here are some excerpts from my longer proposal:
I am proposing to create an independent research course for Fall 2020 on the topic of Christian spiritual formation, both classical and creative contemporary, as a means of care for women who have experienced life crisis and/or religious disillusionment. This topic, in one form or another, has been my focus of ministry for many years, as well as my goal after graduation from Asbury Seminary... During this project, I plan to research Christian spiritual formation, trauma-informed care, women’s ministry, and writing/publishing for Christian audiences. This research could include books, academic journals, personal interviews with women, and/or a writer’s conference. I will write the required two research papers. Tentatively, one will be on the spiritual needs of women in crisis, and the other will be on creative adaptations of spiritual practices for this population. I also plan to start writing a book called Pilgrimage and Jubilee: Christian Spirituality for the Wounded, Weary, Doubting, or Just Plain Stuck. This would introduce restorative classical, contemporary, and creative spiritual disciplines through the following genres: poetry, stories from women, prose instruction, and creative exercises.
And here is my tentative reading list. I am required to read 1,200-1,500 pages suitable for graduate level research, as well as whatever else I want. Since the books listed here represent more than 4,000 pages, I can skim and glean from many of these books, but I will read most of the core books all the way through.
Spiritual Crisis & Healing
Care of Souls: Revisioning Christian Nurture and Counsel by Dr. David Benner
Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores by Dr. Diane Langberg
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
Survivor Care: What Religious Professionals Need to Know about Healing Trauma by Dr. Christy Gunter Sim
Healing our Broken Humanity: Practices for Revitalizing the Church and Renewing Our World by Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Dr. Graham Hill
Rhythms of Restoration: Practicing Grief on the Path of Grace, A Field Guide of Mini-Retreats for the Hurting and Those Who Help Them by Laura Baber Beach
A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward the Undivided Life, Welcoming the Soul and Weaving Community in a Wounded World by Parker J. Palmer
Healing Together: A Guide to Supporting Sexual Abuse Survivors by Anne Marie Miller
Simple Acts of Moving Forward: 40 Suggestions for Getting Unstuck by Vinita Hampton Wright
Other Spiritual Crisis & Healing Topics: gender role issues in the church, high demand religious movements, narrative therapy, faith deconstruction & reconstruction, pastoral attitudes toward professional mental health care.
Spiritual Disciplines & Direction
Spiritual Direction: A Guide to Giving and Receiving Direction by Dr. Gordon T. Smith
The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines by Nathan Foster
The Celebration of Discipline: A Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster
The Workbook Keeping Company with the Saints by Dr. Maxie Dunnam
The Flowing Grace of Now: Encountering Wisdom through the Weeks of the Year by Sister Macrina Wiederkehr
Sacred Rhythms: Arranging our Lives for Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Haley Barton
A Diary of Readings edited by John Baillie
Other Spiritual Disciplines Reading Topics: Hildegarde, Madame Guyon
Spiritual Writing
The Art of Spiritual Writing: How to Craft Prose That Engages and Inspires Your Readers by Vinita Hampton Wright
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity and Writing by L.L. Barkat
Breath for the Bones: Art, Imagination, and Spirit by Luci Shaw
Other Spiritual Writing Topics: Christian writer’s conferences and critique groups, publishing process.
_______________________________
Here is the poem which will start the book.
"Pilgrimage and Jubilee"
by Virginia Knowles, 2013
It’s been a long road
And I’ve traveled the valley of the shadow.
But I write as a free woman
Still with earthy bonds, yes
But able to rise above and go beyond.
We are called to the dignity of the Image of God.
We are called to walk the path of peace and glory.
We are called to hear the holy echo:
"Proclaim liberty throughout the land!"
So let us rise, strong and free.
Mine is the story of pilgrimage and jubilee.
_______________________________
Grace and peace,
Virginia Knowles
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