...

Leading your fai

Hello ,

I am struggling to believe that Lent will be here in two days! Ash Wednesday is this week! We could really use some spiritual grounding, but definitely not escapism. I, for one, long for connection and silence. What is it you are hoping for this Lenten season? 

As Lent begins, we find ourselves living in an alarming time in the United States. Elected officials and other forces daily threaten and diminish freedom, compassion, and care for neighbors. The season of Lent calls for focus on how our spiritual lives are deeply interwoven with social well-being. Love of God and love of neighbors cannot be separated.

With all this in mind, I've pulled together five suggestions for Lenten practices to respond to the times with spiritual practice and spiritual action. For each practice I’ve offered ideas and resources to help you get started.

1. Pray for hungry children and contribute to feeding them.
2. Protest the foreclosure of DEI programs and change your spending habits
3. Advocate for immigrants and know your rights
4. Support LGBTQIA+ youth and adults and learn bystander training
5. Discern your vocation and explore your calling
    

Each of these are fleshed out with three or four potential actions steps. No need to do everything! Just use the ideas that speak to you. Get more ideas for your Lenten practice and and please feel free to forward this email and share this link with friends. https://3mmm.us/episode255 

You do not have to go it alone this Lenten season. Join us for seven weeks of spiritual companionship on the journey. The cost is $50. You will find more details below about Lent @ The Writing Table.** 

Series on Vocation with Bonnie Miller-McLemore

Did you see last week's start of the series with Bonnie Miller-McLemore? We are talking about missed callings. You can catch it here, and then stay tuned for more episodes coming in the weeks ahead!

_____________

** if spending money to join the WT community for Lent is not within your budget, please reach out to us. We do not want cost to prevent you from joining us during Lent. Please write to hello@eileencampbellreed.org and we will set you up with a free or pay-as-you-can arrangement. 

How ‘flood-the-zone’ politics is changing democracy and ministry

Analysis | Eileen Campbell-Reed  |  February 6, 2025

The “flood-the-zone” strategy is not new, but it is wildly effective.

How can we understand its effect on churches and ministers? The immediate aim of President Donald Trump’s White House is to keep journalists off balance, news and social media in an uproar, and the public in a state of panic. One underlying purpose of the chaos is to destroy 60 years of democratic gains which will alter the social landscape and thus the context in which vocation, ministry and religious life takes place.

Remember, , what you do and who you are matters! I believe in you, and I hope you will let me know how I can support you!

Warmly,

Eileen

.