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Spring Term 2009 – Claiming the Way Forward
March 27-June 6, 2009
Termlong Course Descriptions
Discerning Our Calls
Marcelle Martin
As we seek clarity about how God may be calling us to live and work, we have the opportunity to practice spiritual discernment. We will learn about leadings, the nature of a call, and being attentive inwardly and outwardly. Class exercises are designed to hone our skills in helping each other toward greater clarity.
Through Quaker tools of discernment, such as the clearness committee, and methods from other traditions, we will sort through our various motivations in search of those from God. Classes will include discussion, experiential exercises, prayer, and sharing with partners and small groups.
The Living Word
Walter Hjelt Sullivan
How do you relate to sacred language? What is its impact on your knowing, being, and living? We will explore the relationship among our direct experience of the Divine, sacred texts, and our leadings to live more faithfully. We will look at the Living Word written on the heart, the written word living on the page, and the active word coming into the world.
Classes will include experiential exercises, sharing with partners and in groups, reading, journaling, and worship or worship sharing. We will examine Friends' relationship with the Bible, look at early Quaker language, and explore ways that modern Friends have used language to deepen our faith and practice.
Claiming the Creative Path
Carol Sexton
Accepting and nurturing our own creativity is an important step on the journey towards becoming the person we were meant to be. Art activities such as creative journaling, collage, painting, and crafts will help us to engage in the important tasks of self-reflection and discernment of direction in our lives. We will seek to deepen our connection to the source of our creativity by exploring art as spiritual practice.
Organic Gardening: Coming Home to the Earth
Laura Jackson
Growing food with love and attention invites us to explore questions about science, biology, spirituality, politics, and the economy. When we put our own hands and strength into the soil we invite a more intimate relationship with the mysteries of life here on planet Earth. Students will learn and practice the basic skills of organic farming: the garden will become our classroom for study, reflection, physical labor, creativity, and adventure. We will share our own histories - stories of when and where we first came to love the earth - and read excerpts from the writings of others. The cooks at Pendle Hill will help us decide what to grow, so that we can share with the community the fruits of our learning and labor. Students will be expected to visit the garden every day.
