Belize 2024: ConseCrate Out of the Box
Retreat Readings and Resources
*These resources are created and curated by Michelle Walka and are for your personal use only. If you would like to use resources created by Michelle for any other reason, please CONTACT me for permission and payment information. By honoring this, you honor my work and vocation. Thank you.*
-ABOUT CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION-
What is contemplative practice?
Contemplative practice, in its most expansive sense, is the way in which we make space in our lives to pay attention, to listen, and be open to God. Activities like silence, prayer, worship, creativity, intentional breathing, expressive movement, meaningful rituals, etc. are all types of practices that we can engage in. In the midst of our everyday lives, these practices help us connect with our whole selves (mind, body, and spirit) and, as Carmelite William McNamara describes, take a “long, loving look at the real.” This type of practice is not about getting it right, producing something, or pursuing the lie of perfection; but it is about showing up in the present moment with curiosity, kindness, and openness as you encounter God’s wisdom along the way.
Creative Expression as Practice
God the Creator continually invites us to create! No matter if we think we are good at it or not. As Julia Cameron in The Artists Way offers, “Creativity is an act of faith.” As we practice creativity, we are invited into this sacred creation with God, acting out in faith with vulnerability, hope, courage, and trust. To help us with this contemplative practice of creativity, here are three invitations to shape your reflection and expression process:
What is contemplative practice?
Contemplative practice, in its most expansive sense, is the way in which we make space in our lives to pay attention, to listen, and be open to God. Activities like silence, prayer, worship, creativity, intentional breathing, expressive movement, meaningful rituals, etc. are all types of practices that we can engage in. In the midst of our everyday lives, these practices help us connect with our whole selves (mind, body, and spirit) and, as Carmelite William McNamara describes, take a “long, loving look at the real.” This type of practice is not about getting it right, producing something, or pursuing the lie of perfection; but it is about showing up in the present moment with curiosity, kindness, and openness as you encounter God’s wisdom along the way.
Creative Expression as Practice
God the Creator continually invites us to create! No matter if we think we are good at it or not. As Julia Cameron in The Artists Way offers, “Creativity is an act of faith.” As we practice creativity, we are invited into this sacred creation with God, acting out in faith with vulnerability, hope, courage, and trust. To help us with this contemplative practice of creativity, here are three invitations to shape your reflection and expression process:
- You are invited to play. What would it be like to embrace curiosity, wonder, and awe as you practice creativity… or even silliness and a bit of fun?
- You are Invited to soften. Explore extending kindness toward yourself (and others); offering generous hospitality and gentleness to whatever arises in your practice.
- You are Invited to open. What would it be like to loosen your grip on what you think this time should be or what you think you are capable of? Try embracing a posture of permission giving and intentional care with your needs, desires, longings, and reflections.
Readings, Poems, and Resources
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
1 Kings 19: 11-13 (Inclusive Bible Translation)
God said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Divine, for God is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountain apart and shattered the rocks by God’s power—but God was not in the whirlwind. After the wind there was an earthquake—but God was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire—but God was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper… a still small voice (KJV)… a soft murmering sound (JPS)… a sound of sheer silence (NRSV)… a sound, a thin silence… When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
John 14:27 (Inclusive Bible Translation)
[And Jesus said] Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you;
but the kind of peace I give you
is not like the world’s peace.
Don’t let your hearts be distressed;
don’t be fearful.
Genesis 1:31-2:3 (The Inclusive Bible Translation)
God looked at all of this creation, and proclaimed that this was good—very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. On the seventh day God had finished all the work of creation, and so, on that seventh day, God rested. God blessed the seventh day and called it sacred, because on it God rested from all the work of creation.
Genesis 1-2 (selected verses, The Inclusive Bible Translation) 1: 1 IN THE BEGINNING God created the heavens and the earth… [And after the sky and stars and land and sea and animal creatures] 26Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, to be like us. Let them be stewards of the fish in the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, the wild animals, and everything that crawls on the ground.” 27 Humankind was created as God’s reflection: in the divine image God created them; God made them… 31[And] God looked at all of this creation, and proclaimed that this was good—very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day.
Ephesians 2:10 (The Inclusive Bible Translation)
We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to do the good things God created us to do from the beginning.
POEMS:
"For Rest"
by Meta Herrick Carlson in Ordinary Blessings: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Everyday Life
"Not that You Need My Approval"
by Dan Trabue in Geez Magazine: The Children Will Prophesy Issue 69, Summer 2023 (https://geezmagazine.org/)
"When I need to ground myself in today"
by Arianne Braithwaite Lehn in Ash and Starlight: Prayers for the Chaos and Grace of Daily Life
"Blessing the Body"
by Jan Richardson in Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons
"Sometimes I forget"
by Hafiz (14th century Persian poet and mystic)
“Book of Genesis”
by Kei Miller in There Is an Anger That Moves
RESOURCES:
The work of Tricia Hersey can be found here:
https://thenapministry.com/
Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey (2022)
The Nap Ministry's Rest Deck: 50 Practices to Resist Grind Culture Cards by Tricia Hersey (Author), Paula Champagne (Illustrator) 2023
The pilgrim cards can be found here: asacredjourney.net
Created by Lacy Clark Ellman, Artwork by Hearthstone Fables
Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness by Nan C. Merril
1 Kings 19: 11-13 (Inclusive Bible Translation)
God said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Divine, for God is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountain apart and shattered the rocks by God’s power—but God was not in the whirlwind. After the wind there was an earthquake—but God was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire—but God was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper… a still small voice (KJV)… a soft murmering sound (JPS)… a sound of sheer silence (NRSV)… a sound, a thin silence… When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
John 14:27 (Inclusive Bible Translation)
[And Jesus said] Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you;
but the kind of peace I give you
is not like the world’s peace.
Don’t let your hearts be distressed;
don’t be fearful.
Genesis 1:31-2:3 (The Inclusive Bible Translation)
God looked at all of this creation, and proclaimed that this was good—very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. On the seventh day God had finished all the work of creation, and so, on that seventh day, God rested. God blessed the seventh day and called it sacred, because on it God rested from all the work of creation.
Genesis 1-2 (selected verses, The Inclusive Bible Translation) 1: 1 IN THE BEGINNING God created the heavens and the earth… [And after the sky and stars and land and sea and animal creatures] 26Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, to be like us. Let them be stewards of the fish in the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, the wild animals, and everything that crawls on the ground.” 27 Humankind was created as God’s reflection: in the divine image God created them; God made them… 31[And] God looked at all of this creation, and proclaimed that this was good—very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day.
Ephesians 2:10 (The Inclusive Bible Translation)
We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to do the good things God created us to do from the beginning.
POEMS:
"For Rest"
by Meta Herrick Carlson in Ordinary Blessings: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Everyday Life
"Not that You Need My Approval"
by Dan Trabue in Geez Magazine: The Children Will Prophesy Issue 69, Summer 2023 (https://geezmagazine.org/)
"When I need to ground myself in today"
by Arianne Braithwaite Lehn in Ash and Starlight: Prayers for the Chaos and Grace of Daily Life
"Blessing the Body"
by Jan Richardson in Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons
"Sometimes I forget"
by Hafiz (14th century Persian poet and mystic)
“Book of Genesis”
by Kei Miller in There Is an Anger That Moves
RESOURCES:
The work of Tricia Hersey can be found here:
https://thenapministry.com/
Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey (2022)
The Nap Ministry's Rest Deck: 50 Practices to Resist Grind Culture Cards by Tricia Hersey (Author), Paula Champagne (Illustrator) 2023
The pilgrim cards can be found here: asacredjourney.net
Created by Lacy Clark Ellman, Artwork by Hearthstone Fables
Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness by Nan C. Merril