Good morning, -

November is here, and our lists of to-do's and worries might be piling up. In the midst of that, I want to share a few things to help you make space for #pastoral imagination. Please take a minute to have a look . . .

1. Women's Work Series "Collaborate with the Hive" -
    
   Join a series of synchronous evening "micro-retreats" with leading women, engaging practices to clarify and sustain vocation. If you're interested in "centering down" and attending to your spiritual and vocational well-being, the Women’s Work webinar is for you. Have a look at this fabulous lineup and join me in January!
   
   Thursdays 7:30-9:00 PM ET

2. Interview episodes with Bruce Reyes-Chow coming soon! It's so good, and we don't want you to miss it. 

3. A book about vocation by Bonnie Miller-McLemore
 

4. No Stress November has begun! We started on Friday, but you can still get in on de-stressing your month. Join today, start today!

5. Support Pastors Struggling after the Hurricanes

6. Mini Writing Retreats - Next Date is December 6. Plan now!

7. PODCAST episodes - We are delighted to share new 3MMM podcast episodes with you. Take a look at my story of ordination and encouragement for ordination in these impossible times. 

3MMM Podcast Episode 93: Legacies of Love

Interviews with Bruce Reyes-Chow coming soon!

Take a look at what is coming soon with Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow? I talked to him recently about his new book Everything Good about God is True: Choosing Faith. 

And . . . Thoughts and worries about vocation? We get it. 

Vocational grief is real. Bonnie Miller-McLemore offers this new book, and we can't wait to share more about it. 

No Stress November has begun!

For ministers, November can be a very stressful month, preparing for Advent and Christmas, setting a budget for the next year, stewardship sermons and campaigns, putting together the annual church report. For professors, it can be an intense time of grading student assignments, looking after students who are not keeping up, writing conference papers, and so much other administrivia of academic life. For writers, there is the stress of conversations about writing an entire novel or book in the month of November. 

Good grief, what?! That is a lot of stress.

I decided this year to offer a counter space and practice to those stressors. It is a space for pastors, professors, and anyone who needs to do creative work or writing, time and space to do deep work. Maybe it tedious or maybe its joyful, but it's often squeezed out by all the other demands of life.

So, in November we are launching No Stress November as a counterpoint to all these ways that we can be hurried and distracted by the pace and pressures of life. Especially this time of year.

If you need a dedicated hour in your day during the month of November to give your full attention to your writing or other deep work, we invite you to be part of this online community November 1-29. I will provide you with an inspirational quote and a prompt each weekday. Our outstanding team of hosts will welcome you to time and space to gather with a community of writers and creators. 

If you choose the spiritual practice of writing to fuel the rest of your vocational life, we’ve got you covered. If you just need the time to do the work, in a humane and compassionate way, we have support, camaraderie, and accountability waiting for you. I hope you will join us for No Stress November. Begin today!

Support Pastors Struggling after the Hurricanes

If you know someone who lives in one of the hurricane devastated areas, especially in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas Eastern Tennessee, or West Virginia, who could use an extra hour of calm community? Someone who may be struggling to get their work done during this stressful time of recovery, we’ve set up a way for you to give No Stress November to them. 

At this GIFT LINK, we are offering a small discount to help you gift the month to any friend, minister, professor, or writer who needs a solid hour of writing each day. Be part of helping them to recover their well-being with this gift.

Mini Retreats at The Writing Table

Next writing retreat is December 6, and another on January 3. 

Mark your calendars. Register soon!

3MMM Podcast

Catch up on the latest episodes of the 3MMM Podcast to inform and inspire your practice of ministry. Episode 92 has questions we must ask when advocating for women in ministry.  

Catch up on these 3MMM episodes 
with Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes

Finding Our Way Study

Fall study, anyone? Retreat focus? Deacon study? Small group curriculum?

People who have bought the Finding Our Way Study are diving in to conversations about how we are finding our way and dealing with multiple changes - to the world, to our lives, and to the church. Erin Robinson Hall wrote this study guide to help you lead important conversations as you navigate a new era of ministry. Could your group use a new study for Fall?

We need to acknowledge the changes, ask good questions, listen, make space for grief, and start to tell new future stories. The “Finding Our Way” Study Guide can help you do all this and more.

📌 Would you take a moment and follow us on Pinterest? Head over and look for Three Minute Ministry Mentor, and share or pin some of our favorite quotes and blessings. Find inspiration for your practice of ministry!

We believe that your work matters, . May you find prayers, gifts, and renewed pastoral imagination this week!