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CLERGY WELL-BEING

Spiritual Well-Being

Spiritual well-being corresponds with our search for life with a deeper substance. When we are spiritually healthy, not only do we feel more connected to God we also feel more connected to other relationships in our life. The benefits of spiritual well-being are numerous: a deeper sense of inner peace, being more present in our relationships, aligning our actions with our core beliefs, and more.

The resources on this page are a starting point to move you in the right direction toward a healthier you.

Resources

Websites
www.spiritualityandpractice.com
www.ignatianspirituality.com
www.sdicompanions.org

Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Director Directory
Spiritual Direction Brochure

Books
Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson
Moment by Moment: a Retreat in Everyday Life by Carol Ann Smith
The Guide for Prayer Series by Jacquelin Syrup Bergan and S. Marie Schwan
Centering Prayer by Cynthia Bourgeault
Praying Our Goodbyes by Joyce Rupp
Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd
Sensible Shoes by Sharon Brown
One Breath at a Time: A Skeptic’s Guide to Christian Meditation by J. Dana Trent
Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit by Whitney Simpson
Beads of Healing: Prayer, Trauma, and Spiritual Wholeness by Kristen E. Vincent
Send My Roots Rain: A Companion on the Grief Journey by Kim Langley
The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius in Daily Life by Kevin O'Brien SJ
Rhythms of Growth: 365 Meditations to Nurture the Soul by Linda Douty
Praying with Mandalas: A Colorful, Contemplative Practice by Sharon Seyfarth Garner
Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation by Martin Laird
Forgiveness Isn't Easy: But It Is the Key to Freedom by Hazel Partington
Going Deeper When Forgiveness Isn't Easy by Hazel Partington

Publications
Spirituality and Health, Mindful Magazine, Mindful.org
Richard Rohr's Daily Meditations, Shambhala Publications

Spiritual Exercises
Ignatian Spiritual Exercises
Reflection on the Wesleyan Question: How is it with Your Soul?

Formational Prayer and Spiritual Formation
Rev. Iris Lynn Bailey, MDiv., MA, Clinical Pastoral Counseling, Formational Prayer, Marriage and Family, Addiction and Sexual Abuse, Self-Esteem/Assertiveness. The Counseling Ministry@St. James A.M.E. Church, 8401 Cedar Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103. Call (216) 360-9345. The service fee is $50 per person for a three-hour group or one individual session; negotiable; need based. Specialty is assisting women in identifying their strengths using a biblical perspective in treatment.

Rhonda Bowman-Raines. Type of formational prayer: (i.e. individual, group) or both, no preference, Cleveland, E-mail Rhonda Bowman-Raines or call (216) 702-7321, Fees: presently seeing referrals from family, friends, and persons from the local congregation; does not charge a fee for these individuals. Additional information: Working exclusively with females at this time.

Dr. Ben Franklin, Jr. Formational prayer: Individual and Group Inner Healing Ministries. Church: 800 S Green Rd., South Euclid, Ohio 44121; Church phone: (440) 346-5033, Residence phone: (440) 786-7858.

Dr. Thomas Gilmore, MDiv., Din. Formational prayer, marriage, and communications. Fidelity Baptist Church, 8402 Wade Park Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103. E-mail Dr. Thomas Gilmore or call (216) 231-0184 or (216) 496-0264 to schedule an appointment. Service fees are negotiated based on sessions.

Breath Work
www.healthline.com/health/breathwork#exercises

Mindfulness Exercises
Thich Nhat Hanh. How do I stay in the present moment? It feels unbearable? On YouTube - Search for Thich Nhat Hanh for other meditation resources.

Pema Chodron (Guided Meditation): Increase Mindfulness, Awareness, Calm Abiding, and Special Insight. Pema Chodron - YouTube, plus search for other teachings of Pema

Mindfulness Meditation - Guided Mindfulness Meditation Practices with Jon Kabat-Zinn

Retreats and Retreat Centers
Jesuit Retreat Center (Cleveland) - Offers individual-directed retreats as well as topical programs

Centering Space (Lakewood) - Offers weekly prayers and spiritual growth programming

River’s Edge (Rocky River) - Offers a wide variety of spiritual wellness programs

LifeSpring School of Spiritual Formation - This is a series of six retreats from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. that are scheduled in the fall and spring for two years. The focus considers the Christian spiritual practices of solitude, silence, and prayer to create inner space for experience with God. E-mail Judy Ringler or call her at (419) 522-2325.

Apps
Pray-as-you-go - This app has short, daily devotions (about 12 minutes each) based on the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.

Centering Prayer - This app is created by Contemplative Outreach and has fabulous prayers and helpful tools to simplify the practice of centering prayer.

 

If you have any questions or issues that you would like addressed by the Commission on Clergy Well-Being, please e-mail Rev. David Whitt.