Growth in Faith - Spring 2008

To register for these Growth in Faith activities, e-mail Pr. David L. Miller, LSTC director of spiritual formation or Kisha Allen. (There also are registration sheets at the top of the stairs on the third floor by the academic suite.)

Lectionary & lectio--Group members will individually meditate upon texts of their choosing, then reflect together upon the insights, questions, blessings and struggles that emerged in their meditation. Some instruction will be given in ways of praying with and meditating upon Scripture. But primary focus will be conversation about what the texts say to us we prepare to preach and teach. This group is open to all, but it is especially relevant for those in preaching classes, since it provides an opportunity to pray with and discuss texts on which one is preparing to preach. Those not in preaching classes may choose to pray the lectionary texts or select another set of readings. Grants two GiF credits.
Leader: Pr. David L. Miller, director of spiritual formation
Schedule: 10 Mondays, beginning Feb. 11, 9:15 a.m.--10:45 a.m.
Room: To be announced.

Contemplative spirituality: Living beyond dualism--Each session will begin in the chapel with a group experience of a particular spiritual exercise or practice designed to open our awareness to God’s presence. The group will then discuss the experience and reflect upon related readings (about 15 pages per session) from the contemplative traditions of Christian spirituality. Emphasis will be placed upon adopting new ways of seeing that allow one to enter into greater awareness of God’s nearness, moving us beyond the dualisms that separate us from God and the joy of God’s presence. REVISION 02-01-08: Contemplative Spirituality, can serve as a lab experience for those registered in T-408, Theology and Philosophy of Religious Experience.

Grants two GiF credits.
Leader: Pr. David L. Miller
Schedule: 10 Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 13, 3:00--4:30 p.m.
Room: Begins each time in the chapel
Required book: New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton. Available in the bookstore
Related, optional resources: Living in the Presence: Spiritual Exercises to Open Our Lives to the Awareness of God, Tilden Edwards, Harper, 1995. New Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton, New Directions, 1961. Available in bookstore.

Spirituality and the practice of ministry--This group will reflect upon a series of brief articles relating to the experience of doing ministry. Articles will be provided by the leader. Topics will include spirituality and preaching, an approach to discernment, self-image in ministry, images of the pastoral office, soul friendship, spirituality and sexuality, trusting God in the action of ministry, teaching others to pray, discovering God in our work, socially engaged contemplation, spirituality and justice, sustaining ourselves in ministry. Other topics--such as ministry with particular groups or needs--which arise during group discussion, will determine the focus for some sessions. Grants two GiF credits.
Leader: Pr. David L. Miller
Schedule: 10 Thursdays, beginning Feb. 14, 11:30 a.m.--12:55 p.m.
Room: To be announced
Readings: Photocopied, to be provided each week by the leader

The spirituality of simple living--Through readings, conversation and a series of experiences, the group will explore several ways individuals and communities can open themselves to God’s presence through practices of voluntary simplicity. Sessions will focus on storytelling, the theology of simple living, time as commodity and time as sacred, money, food and food choices, widening our circle of community. Each session will include an application of the reading material, such as baking bread.
Leader: Jonathan Halvorson
Schedule: Flexible, to be determined. Jonathan is suggesting Tuesday or Thursday afternoons for 2 1/2--3 hours. Please discuss scheduling preferences with Jonathan.
Required book: Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective, edited by Michael Schut, Living the Good News, 1999. Available in the bookstore.
Room: To be announced

Christian spirituality & film--Significant spiritual and theological themes related to the nature of human life and relationships, God and meaning are woven into many movies. We will view contemporary and older films, also domestic and foreign films, reflecting upon them in light of our understandings of God’s presence and purpose. Films will be viewed followed by an hour for group discussion. Ten films will be shown during the spring semester. Growth in faith credit is granted for participating in 6 of the 10 gatherings.
Leaders: Pr. David L. Miller and Jason Chesnut
Schedule: Thursday, 5-8 p.m. starting Feb. 14
Room/location: (Contact Pr. Jason Chesnut for details.)

Spirituality & art--A series of experiences is being planned. Some will occur at LSTC; others will involve visits to sites such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Mexican-American Art Museum, St. Benedict the African parish or the Loyola University Museum of Art. At remote sites, group members will have time to wander and reflect upon various pieces and how they speak to relationship with God, followed by time for group sharing. Gatherings at LSTC will involve sharing experiences of making art, also reflecting together upon music, visual art, photography, poetry and prose that speaks in particular ways to our spiritual lives and aspirations. This opportunity is being developed by a group of interested students. Additional information will be sent before the start of the semester. Contact Pr. David L. Miller with question and suggestions. Grants one or two GiF credits depending upon how many of the events in which one participates.
Leader: Pr. David L. Miller and various others, week to week
Schedule: 4-5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, except for the off-campus outings, which will be scheduled at times best suited to the participants.
Room: Augustana Chapel. Some events will occur off-campus

Institute of Spiritual Leadership, at-home retreat--This personal retreat focuses upon prayer and meditation with Scripture and includes opportunity to meet three times with one of ISL’s spiritual directors in training. The retreat begins, April 5, 9:30 a.m.--2 p.m., with a group meeting for worship, orientation and an individual conversation with your director. The retreat concludes with a similar gathering at the same times on Saturday, April 26. Participants meditate upon scripture on their own, meeting with an ISL spiritual director during the intervening weeks at a mutually agreed time. Grants one GiF credit.
Leader: Ann Schreckenberger of the Institute of Spiritual Leadership
Schedule: April 5 - 26 (see description above)
Location: Institute of Spiritual Leadership, 54th and Cornell, on the third floor of the Old CTU building.
Cost: Free for LSTC students.

Wellness through Plyometrics--Plyometrics is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements. It relieves stress, improves the immune system and affords greater control of one’s body, contributing to physical, emotional and spiritual health.

Leader: Ingrid Roeder
Schedule: Meets Friday mornings at 8 a.m., beginning week of Feb. 4.
Location: Henry Crown building/center (at the U. of C.), upstairs.
Cost: $55 for a three month student membership to use the center. The group will, however, move outside when the weather improves. Contact Ingrid for information about possible scholarship grants to cover part of this cost, if cost is prohibitive for you.
Bring: a towel, your sense of humor and water. Expect to move at your own pace.

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For more information about Worship at LSTC, Spiritual Formation, or Growth in Faith Opportunities, contact:

Pr. David L. Miller
Dean of the Chapel,
Cornelsen Director of Spiritual Formation