Description
News travels to our eyes and ears as it is happening. How do we keep our hearts soft and open to the pain of the world? Where is the intersection between news and the Good News of Advent? What lens do need to truly hear the news? Can our spiritual practices help support making the world a more loving place? How might we pray the news as faith community?
There are two Leader Guides, one for general use and one with Advent focus. (If you already purchased Praying the News, use the weblink and password and the Advent Guide is posted on the page.)
This four session series invites conversation and group spiritual practice.
There are four sessions:
- Prompted to Pray
- A Lens for Listening
- A Space for Lament
- A Model for Praying the News as a small group ministry.
Each session offers an opening with scripture, a check-in, an audio recording, discussion questions and a group spiritual practice.
What you receive:
When you register you receive access to a private webpage and a password. You will find the Leader’s Guide for all four sessions, a second Leader’s Guide with Advent focus, three easily downloadable audio recordings*, ready to photocopy scripts for the recordings, ready to photocopy participants pages, and extra resources.
- The fourth session does not have an audio recording. This session provides a model of praying the news using suggestions for creative expression and intercessory prayer. Take time to discern if this is a model for small group ministry that might be offered to the community.
The Leader’s Guide lists at a glance all you need for the Session. It contains suggestions for the opening, check-in / norms, questions and directions for leading the group spiritual practice.
Leaders:
Janice Maclean, Host of the Prayer Bench with Steve Berube, a faith leader and advocate for social justice.
Register now. In the confirmation email you will find a note with a link to a webpage and password where you will find everything you need for this series.
B. Cairns –
We enjoyed this study especially because it helped us to cope with the troubles in the world. One participant commented that it helped her to feel empowered and not so afraid.
Rose~Hannah Gaskin (verified owner) –
This was very helpful both for Advent and again in a general focus. I have also tried using one of the practices for worship.
Janet Webster (verified owner) –
This study brought forth very interesting discussion. Many members of the group found themselves listening and responding to the news differently. We really enjoyed the focus on psalms of lament . . . the language was very meaningful in light of current new stories.
Claudia Schaerer –
We found your materials to be very well thought out, very organized, easy to follow, made our roles easy and reduced our stress levels considerably (is the first time for both of us that we’ve led a group like this).I know there are several Visions United members waiting for another study group developed by the Prayer Bench!!