Often my day's devotional reading includes a passage from Lives of the Saints, by Richard McBrien; a volume that includes brief biographies of "official" saints and of many others who have lived radiant lives among us.

July 23rd is the day for celebrating the life of St. Birgitta of Sweden.  In describing the religious order she founded, Fr. McBrien writes, "Luxuries were forbidden, but there was no limit on the number of books one could have for study.  Indeed, the monastery became the literary center of Sweden during the fifteenth century."  

Thank God for the delicious gift of spirit-nourishing books!   These are good days to celebrate St. Birgitta's radiant life with some hours of reading something that might make our own witness more radiant.  These are great days to commend to a dear one a book that has changed us for the better, perhaps even to gather a circle of readers in our congregation for a pitcher of lemonade and some refreshing conversation about a great book.  These are certainly excellent days to visit our community's public library and to speak a word of blessing to those who labor there.  In 2010, public libraries are not just spaces for sharing wisdom.  In many communities and neighborhoods, it is in the public library that those who are lonely or have no safe space to go find welcome and sanctuary.    

I'll be glad to hear what you are reading this summer! 
 
Thank you each for letting your light shine,
Jonna Jensen, Associate Conference Minister for Eastern Iowa

 

 

for the New Church Leadership Institute, August 9-13, 2010. We will explore the Seven Secrets of vital, progressive, transformational church leadership. Whether you are exploring being a church planter, or are working to renew existing congregations, this conference will provide inspiration and practical tools for making your ministry more effective. This year's conference will include:

 

Rabbi Uzi Weingarten will offer this three-part webinar on Thursdays (July 22, 29, August 6, from 2-3 pm) or Mondays (July 26, August 2, 9 from 7-8 pm) for $60.  The course is intended for both Jews and Christians.

If you seek a life-enhancing approach to spirituality, want to improve your relationship skills, and would enjoy having a biblical text as a guide, this course is for you.
 
You receive:
* User-friendly handouts that include every point and every quote mentioned in the course, so that you can minimize your writing time and focus on absorbing
* Access to a recording of the session for one week after class, should you wish to review what you learned or make up a missed session.

Find out more here.  You can e-mail Rabbi Weingarten at uziteaches@aol.com.

 

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities announces the 2010 fall classes offered through its Academy for Vital Christianity, located at sites throughout Minneapolis/St. Paul and the Greater Minnesota area. They are also offering new formats including shorter classes and congregational team discounts.

Offerings include the following:

 

A workshop with former General Minister and President John Thomas.

Most preachers have struggled to present the rich theological themes of Advent while doling out enough Christmas carols to keep restive congregations at bay. What's at stake in the annual battle for the soul of Advent? Is Advent worth the struggle? This workshop will include lecture and discussion, exploring Biblical texts, classical prayers, and hymns ancient and modern in order to stake out space for the wild prophets, strange visions, and powerful hopes that inhabit this purple season. Information here.