News From Amy - February 1, 2025

New Beginnings In March – Opportunities in Spiritual Direction

As we move into February, I’m excited to share several possibilities for deepening your spiritual journey.  You can dive into training, supervision, continuing education, or receiving spiritual direction. If any of these speak to you, I invite you to explore further and take action. I hope one of these opportunities resonates with you. If you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you! With gratitude, Rev. Amy

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Class of ‘27 SpiDir Training Program Begins

Our next group (cohort IV) of spiritual direction training begins this March! If folks turn to you for listening, this two-year program provides the structure, support, and hands-on experience to grow in this sacred work.

Learn About SpiDir

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Supervision Group Openings for Spiritual Companions

If you’re already a spiritual companion, joining a supervisory group is a powerful way to keep the channel to your source clear and open. Show up fully for your seekers, and deepen your effectiveness. Group spiritual direction supervision is enriching, allowing you to learn from peers within a supportive, facilitated structure. A new group is forming soon—if you’re interested, I’d love to connect!

Explore Supervision

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Continuing Education: Join our Current Students!

For those with experience in spiritual care or direction, there’s an option to join the training as continuing education, entering midstream with our current Cohort III students. This is ideal for those who want structured learning without committing to the full program.

Join with Learners

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Receive Spiritual Direction from a Trained Companion

Spiritual direction offers a rare space to slow down, reflect, and listen deeply to your own inner wisdom. You may be in transition, seeking clarity, or struggling to stay connected to the holy as your heart is broken by the world. Or, you may simply desire a sacred listening space. Working with a trained Spiritual Companion can be deeply transformative. If you’d like to explore this, I encourage you to reach out.

Tend Your Spirit

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Join us for a spiritual feast

Feb. 2: Imbolc, Candlemas, Brigid's Day, Rising Sun. The sunlight is growing! Let’s find our inner resilience to bounce into the future. (With Amy Beltaine)

Save the date for Feb 16: Holding On! Finding safety in times of chaos or fear. Resist the undertow with the care and support of your spiritual community and relationship with all you hold holy. (With Kym Lamb)

Save the date for Mar 2: Peak spiritual experiences and moments of flow transform the moment or a life. What magic has moved you or elevated you? (With Pip Ollie Paris)

Save the date for Mar 23: What do Carl Sagan, Merlin, and the March Hare have in common? Find out and celebrate the coming of Spring. How shall we each embrace the new while still retaining our balance? (With Amy Beltaine)

Cherry Hill Seminary offers semi-monthly gatherings for exploration of spiritual topics such as Eldering, Integrity, Primal Cows, Spiritual Recharge, and Compassion.

Students, faculty, friends, guests, and seekers are all welcome!

• Sundays (Closest to the 2nd and 20th of every month)

• 1pm Pacific, 4pm Eastern, 9pm London time for 1 hour

• no rsvp necessary

Join us 10 minutes early for music and chatting. Let us gather for a spiritual feast!

Receive the Zoom Link: Click Here

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The pain of the world breaking your heart? Find what gives you life! 

Make an appointment to explore your spiritual landscape!

Discover your spiritual direction, with Amy

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I know my mailing list has gotten somewhat “uncurated” over the last couple of years so I send this newsletter to everyone on my list. I invite you to choose what you want to receive from me. You don’t need to “unsubscribe” to control what comes into your inbox.

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Blessings of Moon*Forest*Bone,

Reverend Amy

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Spiritual Practice for Troubled Times: Writing a Lament

 Spiritual Practice for Troubled Times: Writing a Lament

I invite you to enter into the spiritual practice of writing a short lament (or psalm.)

This practice invites you to connect with your spiritual tradition through writing. We'll follow a traditional structure, allowing for personal expression within a shared framework. No prior writing experience is necessary – just an open heart and willingness to explore.

Crying Angel (Photographer unknown)

Materials: Paper and pen/pencil, or a digital document.

Instructions:

(0-1 minute) Introduction and Centering:

We'll connect with the Divine through a creative practice: writing a personal psalm or lament. This is a way to express our joys, sorrows, hopes, and yearnings within a sacred structure. No writing experience is needed – just an open heart and a willingness to explore.

We'll begin with a moment of centering. Close your eyes if you're comfortable. You might focus on your breath, imagine a peaceful image, listen for a gentle rhythm, or think of a meaningful word that resonates with your spiritual path. Let the breath, image, rhythm, or word fill you.

(1-2 minutes) Explanation of Psalm Structure:

Psalms traditionally have four parts. Think of these as guiding points, not rigid rules. We'll use them to structure our reflections:

1. Address: Begin by addressing the divine forces you connect with. This could be God, Goddess, Spirit, the Universe, your ancestors, specific deities, the elements, or any other name or concept that resonates with your spiritual path. Be direct and personal. Examples: 'O Source of All,' 'Beloved Ancestors,' 'Great Mystery,' 'Compassionate One,' 'Great Oak.'

2. Complaint: Express your current struggles, concerns, or sorrows. What burdens your heart? What challenges are you facing? This is a safe space for honesty and vulnerability. Examples: 'I feel disconnected,' 'My path feels unclear,' 'The world feels overwhelming,' 'My heart is heavy with grief.'

3. Request: What do you need? What do you yearn for? Ask for guidance, strength, healing, clarity, or whatever feels most pressing. Be specific. Examples: 'Show me the way forward,' 'Grant me the courage to embrace change,' 'Bring peace to my spirit,' 'Remind me I have the strength to face my fears.'

4. Commitment/Praise/Expression of Trust: Conclude with a declaration of your faith, a promise to act in accordance with your values, an expression of gratitude, or a statement of trust in the Divine. Examples: 'I trust in your wisdom,' 'I commit to honoring the earth,' 'I offer my gratitude for your blessings,' 'I will always return to your compassion,' 'So mote it be.'

(2-8 minutes) Writing Time:

Now, let's begin writing our psalms. Allow the words to flow freely, without overthinking grammar or structure. Short phrases or images can be very powerful. Remember, this is a personal reflection – there's no right or wrong way to express yourself.

(Optional: Play soft, instrumental music.)

(8-10 minutes) Sharing (If you are in a small group, you may wish to share):

If you feel comfortable, please share your psalm. Sharing is entirely optional, so please only do so if it feels right for you. When someone shares with you, offer brief, supportive responses, focusing on acknowledging the emotions and sentiments expressed. Phrases like 'Thank you for sharing,' 'I connect with those words,' or 'I appreciate your vulnerability' can be very meaningful.

(If sharing is not possible or desired) Take a moment of silence to honor the lament you created.

(Closing):

Thank you, everyone, for participating in this sacred practice. May your words and reflections stay with you, guiding you on your path. 

You are whole, holy, and worthy,

Blessed be,

Rev. Amy Beltaine

This is the sort of exercise we might engage in during spiritual direction work. To find a Spiritual Companion, visit http://AmyBeltaine.info or https://shorturl.at/pr0ue or http://UUSDN.org 

To apply for training as a spiritual companion, visit our Spiritual Direction Certificate Program page.

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Example Psalm (Wiccan):

"O Triple Goddess, Mother of the Moon and Earth, and Horned God, Lord of the Hunt and Wilds,

My heart is heavy with the weight of the world, the balance seems lost, and shadows creep into my light. I feel adrift, like a leaf scattered by a harsh wind.

I ask for your guidance, your strength, and your unwavering love. Show me the path that I am meant to travel, illuminate the darkness that surrounds me, and restore balance within my soul.

I commit to honoring the Old Ways, to seeking harmony with nature, and to seeking wisdom in the turning of the Wheel. I trust in your eternal love and guidance. So mote it be."