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.

When I think of ministry as spiritual direction, I recall first of all the role of my own spiritual director has had and continues to have in my life. My spiritual director is a companion on my journey -- listening, sharing Scripture and prayer, and helping me discern the movement of the Spirit in my life. She has aided me in naming, claiming, and using my God-given gifts. Empowered by the Spirit, I attempt to serve as a "holy listener" to all those I come in contact with.

During the years I served as a chaplain I came to the realization that one of the greatest gifts I could offer to another person was to be present to that person. It was a privilege to be able to listen to people's stories and to trust the Spirit as I tried to discern when to speak and when not to speak, when to share Scripture and prayer, and when to honour the silence. In the midst of all this, I sought to weave the person's story into the larger all-embracing story of God's unconditional love, forgiveness, and mercy.

Currently I am on leave from call and appreciate the opportunity to have periods of time to live a more contemplative life. In terms of my work on the Saskatchewan Adult Catechumenate Team, I have particularly enjoyed encouraging and supporting sponsors for confirmands and new members in parishes. Also during this time I have been privileged to facilitate two groups of people who have used Pastor Don Johnson's "Praying the Catechism" as a prayer book from Lent to Pentecost. (The group that met this year has requested that we continue to meet regularly in order to support each other as we attempt to live a more quiet, prayerful life amidst our complex, noisy, and stress-filled culture.) Planning and leading sessions on meditative and contemplative prayer has been another learning experience.

I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had to learn and to serve in the past years. As I recall all those who have supported and enriched me on my journey, the following words of Saint Paul come to my mind, and I wish I could share them with every one of these people, "I thank God every time I remember you . . ."