Jane E. Vennard

Fulfill the reality that the glory of God is the human fully alive. "Reverend Vennard is fearlessly awake to the wild dance of life. Rather than sleeping through life, she awakens to it. Rather than escaping from reality, she embraces it. Rather than distracting herself with a life to come, she dares to live the life that is. And she wants you to do all this as well. Read this book. Live this book. Wake up." —from the Foreword In a culture enthralled with technology, striving and speed, people of many faith traditions and no faith tradition long to slow down, pay attention and wake up to the present moment. They want help in realizing their hope that they can become more truly alive. This engaging and highly readable book offers you guidance for the journey. Sharing stories from her personal life as a spiritual seeker and from her professional career as a retreat leader, spiritual director and teacher, Reverend Jane Vennard illustrates the joys and frustrations of spiritual practice, offers insights from various religious traditions, and provides step-by-step exercises and meditations to practice: Caring for the body • Rest • Silence Solitude • Letting go • Community • Hospitality • Service • Living gratefully

Authentic teaching is messy, exciting, frustrating, joyful, challenging—and sacred. "Through stories, information and reflection, we [will look] inward, going more deeply into the discovery of who we are, not only as teachers but also as women and men for whom teaching is only a part of life. I believe the deepest calling … is the call to be who we truly are." —from Chapter Seven, “Teaching Who We Are” Beloved teacher Rev. Jane E. Vennard leads an inner exploration of the hopes and fears, joys and frustrations, gifts and limitations that influence teachers of all kinds—teachers like you—every day. Drawing on her own experience as well as stories from many teachers in conventional and unconventional settings, she inspires you to reconnect to your original desire to open minds and hearts to learning. With reflection questions, practices and activities, she helps you reinvigorate your passion for your vocation, your students and your subject, thus recognizing how teaching is a sacred art.

Authentic teaching is messy, exciting, frustrating, joyful, challenging - and sacred. ''Through stories, information and reflection, we will look] inward, going more deeply into the discovery of who we are, not only as teachers but also as women and men for whom teaching is only a part of life. I believe the deepest calling ] is the call to be who we truly are.'' - from Chapter Seven, ''Teaching Who We Are'' Beloved teacher Jane E. Vennard leads an inner exploration of the hopes and fears, joys and frustrations, gifts and limitations that influence teachers of all kinds - teachers like you - every day. Drawing on her own experience as well as stories from many teachers in conventional and unconventional settings, she inspires you to reconnect to your original desire to open minds and hearts to learning. With reflection questions, practices and activities, she helps you reinvigorate your passion for your vocation, your students and your subject, thus recognizing how teaching is a sacred art.

Spiritual Discovery: A Method for Discernment in Small Groups and Congregations is a practical guide for groups desiring a prayerful approach to decision-making. The discernment method developed by authors Catherine Tran and Sandra Boyd begins with a prayer model a process for guiding prayer in small groups created by Jane E. Vennard. This model brings elements of silence and spiritual reflection to the entire decision-making proceeding. The prayer is followed by a time of thoughtful exploration and discussion, resulting in decision-making that draws on both the spirit and the intellect. The Method facilitates thoughtful discernment, encouraging groups and individuals to attend to how they make decisions. This book offers step-by-step guidance for practicing the Method, addressing essentials and challenges, while also providing concrete examples illustrating how groups have successfully used the Method to enact spiritual growth and change. Tran and Boyd show how the skills that participants develop as they practice the Method can be put to use in the everyday world, ready to be called upon for decision-making in any arena. The Method has proved to be a powerful instrument for achieving positive change, and this book helps readers implement the Method in their own lives and communities."

Everything you need to guide a small group on a 10-week journey into the heart of prayer is contained in this Leader's Guide. Find the practical help you need: Ideas for a session to introduce the resource to participantsA list of Weekly Needs at a GlanceDetailed instructions for leading 10 weekly meetingsHelp your group members become the people God wants them to be through this study. By exploring the nature of prayer and a variety of its forms, participants will discover expressions of prayer that draw them closer to God and give them a deeper sense of spiritual vitality. Sessions address these topics: How Do You Pray?Images of GodPraying by HeartPraying with MusicPraying by GazePraying with Our BodiesScriptural PrayerContemplative PrayerPraying with and for OthersPrayer and Social Transformation

It's said that prayer is so primal an urge for humankind that we're born into the world praying. Yet, something so natural and seemingly so easy comes hard sometimes. The Way of Prayer is a 10-week small-group study about the nature, practice, and results of prayer. Some forms of prayer arise in our lives spontaneously, some are learned by rote, and others are stumbled upon as we move through life."All prayer, formal or informal, is about our relationship with God," the authors write. "Somewhere deep inside us resides the experience of being so deeply connected to God that we long to express the wonder of that relationship. We pray because we can-and must." Honor the ways you were taught to pray while expanding your understanding to include new ways to pray. Topics covered include: How Do You Pray?Images of GodPraying by HeartPraying with MusicPraying by GazePraying with Our BodiesScriptural PrayerContemplative PrayerPraying with and for OthersPrayer and Social Transformation

Praying with Body and Soul involves the whole person: our senses, our bodies at rest or in motion, our imaginations, as well as our minds and emotions. By paying prayerful attention to the body people will not only recognize the ways in which they already pray, but will learn how to deepen their relationship with God. Each chapter includes questions for reflection, and practical exercises, such as drawing, walking meditation, fasting, making music, dancing, and praying in sickness and disability. This guide to prayer can be used by individuals, prayer partners, and small groups.

What is intercession? What happens when we pray for someone else? How do we pray for our enemies? Does prayer change God's will? By addressing these questions in the context of everyday experience, Vennard helps people of prayer grow in their understanding and practice of intercessory prayer. In this book, Vennard guides individuals or small groups by providing questions for reflection and discussion, and suggestions for intercession-related activities. Her wise counsel will help both new and experienced pray-ers explore the ministry of intercessory prayer.