Copyright: © 1998 Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. This document may be freely reproduced for non-commercial purposes with credit and mention of the Lift Up Your Hearts web site http://www.worship.ca/ as the source.

Pneuma is a journal on spiritual direction and formation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

Keri Wehlander
of the Spiritual Directors Network

The relationship between spirituality and creativity has been a major influence in Keri Wehlander's faith journey. In her work in Lutheran and United Church congregational settings, she has sought to bring a creative approach to worship, Christian education, and pastoral care. She has also brought this approach to a variety of retreats and workshops which she has led.

Reading and writing poetry has been important for Keri since she was young. Early on, her grandfather would send her poetic prayers that he had written, and she would respond by sending him some of her own. This interest in writing continued through the years, and in 1996 her first book, Joy Is Our Banquet: Resources for Everyday Worship, was published. The book contained twenty short worship services that were ready for use. In writing the book, Keri's hope was to encourage a broad variety of people to feel comfortable in leading and participating in prayerful worship. The response to the first book was very positive, and this year a companion volume has been published which is called, "Circles of Grace: Worship and Prayer in the Everyday." Liturgical dance, music, and drama have also been a part of Keri's journey. Many of the workshops she has been asked to lead for congregations have been in the area of liturgical movement. An important part of these workshops has been to explore the long history within the church of linking prayer with simple movements and gestures. For Keri, it has been important that the spiritual journey be a holistic one which is embodied.

In looking back, it has been clear to Keri that she has been fortunate in having several significant spiritual companions along the way. Although not all of these relationships would have the formality of such a title, the listening, sharing, and support received and given have had a lasting impact. An example of this would be in her relationship with Curtis Aguirre, whom she met and married while attending seminary. Sharing the daily struggles and gifts of faith within the context of marriage has been very rich and and meaningful.

In approaching spiritual nurture, Keri has sought to offer what she has received from others: a prayerful, grounded presence with heart. In the midst of her own journey, and in sharing the journeys of others, there is the ongoing sense that the mystery of God's presence is being made known in the ordinary elements of each day.

Prayer of Wonder

To witness an ebony quilt of sky
stitched by beaming stars;
And awaken to ancient cedar's sway
dancing with the wind,
Is to glimpse God's scattering of grace.

To recognize an inner flutter and pulse
as new life's movements in the womb;
Or hear a tone so sweetly sung
that heaven opens within,
Is to stand at the threshold of everything holy.

To wonder at the sweep of a whale
breaching the air from concealed depths;
Or gaze at the ripples and curves formed above
by a cloud of wings on the move,
Is to be breathless with praise for the radiance of life.

Selected from Keri Wehlander's "Circles of Grace: Worship and Prayer in the Everyday." Toronto: United Church Publishing House, 1998.