Dearest Friends,
As you can tell WMF has a new look! For the past year we have rigorously undergone a thorough and thoughtful redesign, spearheaded and facilitated by the Advocacy Team. I will close this letter with a brief reflection for you to enter into as you contemplate our new logo.
I feel as if the gift of Sabbatical in 2007 formed a deep well in Chris and me from which we continue to receive life. Not only that, the gifts of sabbatical carved into us new patterns of thought and action. Life has a new pace and rhythm and a greater sense of freedom and lightness. The gifts of each day have a colorful vibrancy and the challenges seem more bearable. Thank you once again for supporting us through our Sabbatical.
Before we get to the reflection on our redesign, I have a few speaking engagements I want to tell you about as well as a writing opportunity.
Speaking Engagements
Having received time in 2007 to detach and rest was a life-changing experience for me. I spoke some about this at Beggar’s Society recently; you may listen to the podcast at http://www.wordmadeflesh.com/learn/beggarssociety_archive.html (December 14: Intimacy and Pilgrimage). The title of the lecture is “Nine Marks of Pilgrimage” and I reflected on all nine lifestyle celebrations from a place of personal transparency and vulnerability. I’d love to sit down with each of you and share my heart with you, but I’ll have to settle for sending you the recording . I drew reflections from pilgrimage and the subsequent months of sabbatical and transition back into active service.
During the first week of December I had the privilege to give the opening plenary address at the PTM Conference (Pastors to Missionaries hosted by Barnabas International). PTM is one of two leading member care conferences in North America. For the past twenty years they have pulled together about 200 pastoral caregivers from around the globe to focus on renewal and professional development. The title of the lecture I offered was “From Care to Contemplation: Seeking Spirituality within the Member Care Context.” I wasn’t sure how the participants would receive the address but it seems the content struck a chord with them. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and encouraging and an un-orchestrated contemplative theme guided most of the remaining conference. You may listen to the audio at http://wmf.yodersolutions.com/ptm/ContemplationAndPastoralCare.mp3
Writing Opportunity: Big News!
I have made time to write more and have started to submit some of those articles for publication. In addition, probably the biggest news to share with you is that IVP has offered me a book contract! Honestly, I sit in wonder over the work of God in my life. The evening I received news about the contract I was sitting in bed preparing for evening prayers and beginning to dialogue with God. Chris walked in and found me in tears. He asked me what was wrong and I said, “I am in awe at the work of God in my life.” Receiving a book contract seems to accentuate for me the grace, goodness and love of God.
IVP’s publishing committee deliberated for a while trying to determine which imprint they want the book to go in. The working title is: Pilgrimage of a Soul: A Journey in the Human Condition. They thought for sure it fits in the “Formatio” line which markets to people interested in spiritual formation. However, they said that because I’m a part of a social justice movement, “Likewise” also seemed fitting. Likewise features writers like Chris Heuertz, Scott Besseneker, Shane Claiborne, Tom Sine and other authors who focus on modern movements among the world’s poor. IVP thinks that this imprint needs more spiritual formation and vocation writing and wants my book to be a catalyst for that. I am encouraged that IVP is echoing the importance of connecting activism with contemplation. I’d really appreciate your prayers as we move forward with this project.
Offering of the Poor
Recently during morning prayer with the Omaha staff, we gathered on the red rug; candles lit at the altar; the cross of the San Damiano hanging above; incense burning opposite the Christ (which had to be moved so it didn’t burn the top of Liz’ hair!). Our new logo—a spray-painted representation of a bird sat before us. Over the course of several months during the past year, the staff at Oxide listened to the story of WMF—our collective story and this image emerged.
Daphne and Jara led us into reflection through music, Scripture, poetry and stories of the seraph and the phoenix. It wasn’t long before several people were inspired and profound thoughts surfaced. I sat in wonder. Who knew that a bird with six wing-tips or nine feathers (depending how you look at it) could render such deep meaning?
A bird—small, seemingly insignificant
A bird—the offering of the poor, Jesus’ family offering (Luke 2:23)
A bird—symbol of promise, symbol of the Holy Spirit
A bird—one who is closest to God in the form of a Seraph
As thoughts formed dreams and dreams turned to prayer it grew apparent that this image, this bird is like an icon—a sacred work of art with layers of meaning. A spirit of humility and awe came over me. Clearly, this icon’s representation and symbolism is something for us to live into. As time unfolds, layer after layer of sacred meaning will reveal ever deepening truth and inspiration.
We are a community, united in a collective call to serve Jesus among the most vulnerable of the world’s poor; the vulnerable ones, like birds, who point us to the heavens and to the Creator of the heavens—to the One who call us “My beloved.”
Reflecting on this icon allows each of us to find more truth in who we are individually and collectively. Reflecting on our sacred bird allows us to grow into all that God has called us to be and do. May we receive the grace to unfurl our wings and fly!
Be well. Breathe deep.
Phileena Heuertz