Back in March, at the start of the pandemic and the shelter-in-place edict, none of us would have thought that months later we would still be here – social distancing and uncertain about when we would return to life even as we knew it.
As the health crisis unfolded, we instinctively switched to survival mode, resolved to find alternative ways to keep going. Our homes became both a quarantine fortress and our place of work. Companies and organizations quickly changed their daily operations as they tried to adjust. Parents and teachers turned to homeschooling. Many, understandably, struggled to make it through the day; while scores of others selflessly showed up to serve. Incomprehensibly, too many succumbed to the virus and lost their lives.
And, in the midst of the pandemic, our hearts further erupted at the sight of new, unwarranted and continuous killing of our Black brothers and sisters. While the country and even the world came together to cry “enough”, the poisonous effects of such inhuman cruelty – anger, grief, pain, fear, mistrust, despair – have undoubtedly already attached themselves to many a soul.
How are you doing, really?
It may have been months since 2020 took a detour but many of us have yet to come up for air, even less sit still to tend to our souls. We are submerged in a sea of emotions, which is even amplified for those who are living alone, cut off from regular human connection.
“Where do we go from here?” is a question many have asked these past few months. I don’t purport to have the answer; I am, however, certain that any step forward must come from a place of self-awareness and wholeness. Just as we must come to term with the fact that we are all connected and we are more alike than we are different.
With that in mind, I offer this opportunity for us to intentionally slow down to care for our souls and to do life together. Whether you need time in community, a safe space to lament or a moment of rest from your new normal, I propose that we connect during the month of August to engage through guided discussions, contemplative reflections and to recharge for the days ahead.
The list of offerings, for both men and women, and the registration button are below. Please sign-up as you feel led. I look forward to connecting with you, and until then, I pray that you and yours are safe and well!
In His grace,
Christine
“Let him who cannot be alone beware of community.
Let him who is not in community beware of being alone.”
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Living Apart Together
Free Online Soul Care Pauses
Virtually on Zoom [10:00am-11:00am]
Zoom Link will be Emailed Following Registration
Saturday, August 1: Holy Interruption
Saturday, August 15: Soul Care in Times of Crisis
Saturday, August 29: As We Wait…
“It’s better to have a partner than go it alone…And if one falls down, the other helps…(Ecc. 4:9-10 The Message)
Christine A. Dorvil is Founder and Director of Sabătica. She is a retreat leader and holds a certificate in Spiritual Transformation from the Transforming Center in Chicago where she studied for two years and was mentored by Ruth Haley Barton. Christine is passionate about spiritual formation, restoration and soul care. She holds an MBA in Finance and is pursuing a Masters of Divinity in Old Testament and Hebrew. She is a Fellow of the New York City Leadership Center and serves as Executive Director for the Alliance for Thriving Communities.
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