Spiritual Direction Certification
Donation protected
Dear family & friends,
I wanted to share a bit of happy news that's kind of taken me by surprise even though it is an answer to a long-prayed prayer. For a few years, as we've neared the point when Brian would be done with seminary and ordination and our kids would be finished with high school, we've been praying intentionally for discernment about next steps in my own vocational calling. No bit of learning, experience, or suffering is wasted, and I've been delighted to be using my gifts, skills and passion in many ways all along the way. As we moved to Connecticut, we'd set apart this season to ask God to reveal a few more specifics regarding ongoing learning and development for me.
One clear answer was for me to apply and be accepted into the Selah Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction. As I've been praying about further education, skill development and deeper formation in the faith, this is the opportunity that rose up like a road to meet me through the prescient invitation of a new friend and ministry leader, Sally Breedlove (wife to our Bishop, Steve Breedlove).
Spiritual Direction is a "one-to-one" ministry of coming alongside others to help them pay attention, become curious, and move toward the ongoing invitations of God to experience freedom, and enjoy life to the fullest as beloved sons and daughters in the Kingdom. The Selah Certificate Program is a two-year, cohort-based, low-residency course that will prepare me to offer trained spiritual direction vocationally and ministerially among our local church as well as those the Holy Spirit connects with me from around the world. The program begins in June 2017 and completes in spring 2019.
I have already been accepted into the program with the first residency scheduled for this coming weekend. Brian and I have taken on the responsibility of the full tuition of just over $6,900, not counting books and other incidental costs. We believe God will provide for this commitment, and we are humbling asking for your help in that provision.
It's a humbling thing to need financial help, and we explored options, including a small scholarship that may be available at a later date. Many of you know that our years of making cross-country moves and launching four kids into the world has added a hefty burden to our family budget. At times I have pursued part and full-time jobs to bring in income, but in our current season of putting down roots in Connecticut and our new church family, we have chosen for me to not take on additional employment. This makes us wealthy in time and energy, but not money.
With the news of my acceptance into Selah's training program, a few friends spontaneously offered to help with the financial commitment. This gave us the courage to ask for help at a broader level. Would you consider partnering with others to help fund this training and season of preparation for me?
I've set the goal of $3,000 as approximately half the amount needed. We are also actively searching for a smaller place to rent in order to help us steward our income most effectively. In reality, every single bit given at any time over the coming two years will be an invaluable encouragement to us, bur our immediate pressure is now - in the months before we're able to downsize our rent.
I don't have much in the way of incentives one ussually offers in these sorts of crowd-funding endeavors, but we entrust that work to the Almighty and Good Father who loves to bless his children and gives mercy to the merciful. We trust Him completely for you and for us.
Thank you for reading and celebrating this step with us. Thank you, most of all, for walking with us in the Kingdom.
Peace of Christ to you,
Tamara (for Brian, also)
p.s., For those wanting to claim a donation for tax benefits, there is a way to give money directly to Selah as a general donation. Please contact me directly for information.
I wanted to share a bit of happy news that's kind of taken me by surprise even though it is an answer to a long-prayed prayer. For a few years, as we've neared the point when Brian would be done with seminary and ordination and our kids would be finished with high school, we've been praying intentionally for discernment about next steps in my own vocational calling. No bit of learning, experience, or suffering is wasted, and I've been delighted to be using my gifts, skills and passion in many ways all along the way. As we moved to Connecticut, we'd set apart this season to ask God to reveal a few more specifics regarding ongoing learning and development for me.
One clear answer was for me to apply and be accepted into the Selah Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction. As I've been praying about further education, skill development and deeper formation in the faith, this is the opportunity that rose up like a road to meet me through the prescient invitation of a new friend and ministry leader, Sally Breedlove (wife to our Bishop, Steve Breedlove).
Spiritual Direction is a "one-to-one" ministry of coming alongside others to help them pay attention, become curious, and move toward the ongoing invitations of God to experience freedom, and enjoy life to the fullest as beloved sons and daughters in the Kingdom. The Selah Certificate Program is a two-year, cohort-based, low-residency course that will prepare me to offer trained spiritual direction vocationally and ministerially among our local church as well as those the Holy Spirit connects with me from around the world. The program begins in June 2017 and completes in spring 2019.
I have already been accepted into the program with the first residency scheduled for this coming weekend. Brian and I have taken on the responsibility of the full tuition of just over $6,900, not counting books and other incidental costs. We believe God will provide for this commitment, and we are humbling asking for your help in that provision.
It's a humbling thing to need financial help, and we explored options, including a small scholarship that may be available at a later date. Many of you know that our years of making cross-country moves and launching four kids into the world has added a hefty burden to our family budget. At times I have pursued part and full-time jobs to bring in income, but in our current season of putting down roots in Connecticut and our new church family, we have chosen for me to not take on additional employment. This makes us wealthy in time and energy, but not money.
With the news of my acceptance into Selah's training program, a few friends spontaneously offered to help with the financial commitment. This gave us the courage to ask for help at a broader level. Would you consider partnering with others to help fund this training and season of preparation for me?
I've set the goal of $3,000 as approximately half the amount needed. We are also actively searching for a smaller place to rent in order to help us steward our income most effectively. In reality, every single bit given at any time over the coming two years will be an invaluable encouragement to us, bur our immediate pressure is now - in the months before we're able to downsize our rent.
I don't have much in the way of incentives one ussually offers in these sorts of crowd-funding endeavors, but we entrust that work to the Almighty and Good Father who loves to bless his children and gives mercy to the merciful. We trust Him completely for you and for us.
Thank you for reading and celebrating this step with us. Thank you, most of all, for walking with us in the Kingdom.
Peace of Christ to you,
Tamara (for Brian, also)
p.s., For those wanting to claim a donation for tax benefits, there is a way to give money directly to Selah as a general donation. Please contact me directly for information.
Organizer
Tamara Hill Murphy
Organizer
Bridgeport, CT