This led me think about what a ward sister said to me a year or more ago. I haven’t attended classes since the pandemic but her reasons to me for not wanting to attend RS was because each lesson ended up evolving into some sort of therapy session which made her uncomfortable. I thought at the time ‘wow - the women are not alright’. Perhaps the classes had become a safe place to bring up issues? I confess to being curious but not enough to attend. Especially now since I’d have to sit through SS first 🥴😆
Just read this and teared up a little. What I wouldn’t give to have another person to talk with openly about what I’m feeling/going through. Just having your writing and podcast is huge for me but what you describe would be amazing! I hope someday I can be that person for someone else! Thank you and Cynthia for all you do!
This is wonderful, Susan! I’m so glad you felt the big YES! I have felt called in this way a few times in my life - once to study and work as an energy healer/coach and once to be an advocate for my queer kids and a mentor to other parents of queer children. God called me to do these things not only with zero help from church leaders, but with lots of opposition! I will cheer for you as you are in training and make an appointment with you afterwards for some gentle, holy listening.
I am so impressed by this that I don’t even have the right words to express it all right now. 1. I can’t wait until you’re done with the program and I can send people your way for spiritual direction. 2. Holy Listening is the work of moving us into healing and Love. This is the central work of the gospel and should be the work of any church too.
The pastoral care work of my MDiv focused so much on this and being a “non-anxious presence”. What a gift that is to the world! Thank you for re-invigorating my ministry!
How I would love an opportunity to sit with you and talk about all of it! I love watching you move through the world from afar. Thank you, Jeannine. You're a bright light. —Susan
Susan, you have already made such a profound impact on my life. I feel like you have been a spiritual director for a long time — you are just getting qualified for the work you are already doing!
You have such a gift for listening, asking the questions that matter, and holding space for people and their stories. I know I have grown so much through knowing you and through the work you and Cynthia have done with ALSSI.
This feels like such a natural next step for you. Bless you, Susan, and thank you for all you have already given to so many of us. ❤️
You have a unique gift for making me cry, Melinda. Thank you for walking with me! Your blessing means so much to me. I hope our paths can cross someday. —Susan
This was surprisingly comforting to read heading into general conference weekend—a conference that I will largely not watch but which will play all weekend in the main living area of my house.
There’s an ache for stories (not just data) to flow toward the velvet chairs rather than just have carefully curated stories and advice dished out toward me/us.
It’s nice to know there are corners where we value those stories and the listening ❤️
I'm so sorry, Corinne. I hear you. Spiritual directors hav beene one of the things on my "imagination committee" list for our church since I first heard about them. There's a deep need. —Susan
Susan! I can’t think of a person who seems more suited for the work of spiritual direction. So excited for you to step out on this journey. And amen to everything you said about the church’s lack of curiosity and holy listening. 🫠
Like Stephenie G, I’m also a nurse and have found some of the holiest moments of my life in this career (hands down more holy and sacred than anything I ever experienced in the temple).
I came into this work in my late 30s and honestly my path into clinical care pretty much also matches my path out of the LDS church. Being exposed to so many people’s very vulnerable moments has taught me a lot about how complex and varied human souls and needs are. Over time I just couldn’t unsee it and I became less and less comfortable with a church that seemed more interested in authority and conformity and compliance and less interested in pastoral care and healing and fostering authentic community.
Thanks, Stephanie! And thanks for sharing a little about your nursing journey. I've had such amazing nurses in my life, it makes me emotional to even think about. I love getting a glimpse of what it's like on the other side—as a patient, I have definitely experienced nursing as true pastoral care. Thank you for doing the Jesus-work in the world. —Susan
So glad you’ve found such a beautiful path to walk! I love it. ❤️ I found a lot of spirituality in nursing, I think that’s what drew me to it. I spent a lot of time listening and sitting with people through some hard things and even death. Holding others fears, concerns, and questions and exploring them together feels holy, no matter what the path is that brings you together.
As I replied to Stephanie, as a patient I've experienced nursing as true Jesus-work. I've spent too much hospital time, but I don't think I've ever had a bad nurse experience. It's holy work indeed. Thank you. ❤️ —Susan
This led me think about what a ward sister said to me a year or more ago. I haven’t attended classes since the pandemic but her reasons to me for not wanting to attend RS was because each lesson ended up evolving into some sort of therapy session which made her uncomfortable. I thought at the time ‘wow - the women are not alright’. Perhaps the classes had become a safe place to bring up issues? I confess to being curious but not enough to attend. Especially now since I’d have to sit through SS first 🥴😆
Just read this and teared up a little. What I wouldn’t give to have another person to talk with openly about what I’m feeling/going through. Just having your writing and podcast is huge for me but what you describe would be amazing! I hope someday I can be that person for someone else! Thank you and Cynthia for all you do!
This is wonderful, Susan! I’m so glad you felt the big YES! I have felt called in this way a few times in my life - once to study and work as an energy healer/coach and once to be an advocate for my queer kids and a mentor to other parents of queer children. God called me to do these things not only with zero help from church leaders, but with lots of opposition! I will cheer for you as you are in training and make an appointment with you afterwards for some gentle, holy listening.
Your depth is always astonishing. Your insight into Holy reality is amazing. Thank you! 🙏
I am so impressed by this that I don’t even have the right words to express it all right now. 1. I can’t wait until you’re done with the program and I can send people your way for spiritual direction. 2. Holy Listening is the work of moving us into healing and Love. This is the central work of the gospel and should be the work of any church too.
The pastoral care work of my MDiv focused so much on this and being a “non-anxious presence”. What a gift that is to the world! Thank you for re-invigorating my ministry!
More later when I have time to fully process.
How I would love an opportunity to sit with you and talk about all of it! I love watching you move through the world from afar. Thank you, Jeannine. You're a bright light. —Susan
Susan, you have already made such a profound impact on my life. I feel like you have been a spiritual director for a long time — you are just getting qualified for the work you are already doing!
You have such a gift for listening, asking the questions that matter, and holding space for people and their stories. I know I have grown so much through knowing you and through the work you and Cynthia have done with ALSSI.
This feels like such a natural next step for you. Bless you, Susan, and thank you for all you have already given to so many of us. ❤️
You have a unique gift for making me cry, Melinda. Thank you for walking with me! Your blessing means so much to me. I hope our paths can cross someday. —Susan
This was surprisingly comforting to read heading into general conference weekend—a conference that I will largely not watch but which will play all weekend in the main living area of my house.
There’s an ache for stories (not just data) to flow toward the velvet chairs rather than just have carefully curated stories and advice dished out toward me/us.
It’s nice to know there are corners where we value those stories and the listening ❤️
What an exciting new step in to creativity and curiosity and spirituality. I cannot wait to hear about your journey. Love you my friend.
I love this and wish we did have spiritual directors in our faith.
I feel not only unheard, but silenced and ignored.
I'm so sorry, Corinne. I hear you. Spiritual directors hav beene one of the things on my "imagination committee" list for our church since I first heard about them. There's a deep need. —Susan
Susan! I can’t think of a person who seems more suited for the work of spiritual direction. So excited for you to step out on this journey. And amen to everything you said about the church’s lack of curiosity and holy listening. 🫠
Like Stephenie G, I’m also a nurse and have found some of the holiest moments of my life in this career (hands down more holy and sacred than anything I ever experienced in the temple).
I came into this work in my late 30s and honestly my path into clinical care pretty much also matches my path out of the LDS church. Being exposed to so many people’s very vulnerable moments has taught me a lot about how complex and varied human souls and needs are. Over time I just couldn’t unsee it and I became less and less comfortable with a church that seemed more interested in authority and conformity and compliance and less interested in pastoral care and healing and fostering authentic community.
Thanks, Stephanie! And thanks for sharing a little about your nursing journey. I've had such amazing nurses in my life, it makes me emotional to even think about. I love getting a glimpse of what it's like on the other side—as a patient, I have definitely experienced nursing as true pastoral care. Thank you for doing the Jesus-work in the world. —Susan
Hurrah!
Thanks, Lisa! —Susan
I love this. We are much better at telling people what they should be thinking and feeling in my experience.
I wish this weren't true—for all humans, but especially for religious humans, and especially-especially for members of our church. —Susan
So glad you’ve found such a beautiful path to walk! I love it. ❤️ I found a lot of spirituality in nursing, I think that’s what drew me to it. I spent a lot of time listening and sitting with people through some hard things and even death. Holding others fears, concerns, and questions and exploring them together feels holy, no matter what the path is that brings you together.
As I replied to Stephanie, as a patient I've experienced nursing as true Jesus-work. I've spent too much hospital time, but I don't think I've ever had a bad nurse experience. It's holy work indeed. Thank you. ❤️ —Susan