Is God moving in your life in a new and different way? Are you grappling with a life question? We often use the word “discernment” to describe a process of listening to the Holy Spirit to make decisions and navigate life with insight and intention. This is not merely intellectual reasoning, but a holistic perception that integrates heart, mind, and spirit. This perception emerges within a context of prayer.
You and God can certainly do this work together, but some people wish to engage this process in community. Our new Discernment Circles offer this opportunity to you. Each circle will consist of one Discerner and three trained Compassionate Listeners. The groups will meet two or three times to explore a Discerner’s question(s).
Appropriate life questions might be, “Should I make a career change? When should I retire? Am I being called to marriage? Is God calling me to ministry in the church?”
If you are interested in doing some discernment in community through this process, please contact Canon Rich Weyls to learn more at rweyls@saintmarks.org.
The Rev. Mary Lindberg is an ordained Lutheran (ELCA) pastor who believes in the power of the pen as a spiritual tool. She serves as a Spiritual Director and leads writing groups, particularly with underserved groups, using the supportive Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) method. Mary has published books for adults and children, including Jobs Lost, Faith Found: A Spiritual Resource for the Unemployed, and Helping Children Process Grief.
The Rev. Sr. Miriam Elizabeth (Faith) Bledsoe, OSH is a religious sister in the Order of Saint Helena, an Episcopal monastic order for women in North Augusta, SC, where she serves as the Community Leader. She has an active spiritual direction practice and is an experienced retreat leader. She serves as a supply priest in the Diocese of South Carolina and as a mentor for Backstory Preaching, an online ministry that helps preachers grow in the spirituality and craft of preaching. She received her M. Div. in 2002 from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX and served churches in south Texas for nine years before joining the order. Prior to ordination, she worked as a hospital and rehabilitation speech pathologist. She enjoys kayaking on cool mornings, as well as all things creative including preaching, cooking, quilting and making art.
