Go on a Journey with New Ways Ministry

To assist the spiritual development of our LGBT and Ally supporters, New Ways Ministry has developed three types of journeys to embark on:  a pilgrimage to Belgium and Germany in April 2019;  an online Scripture reflection series for groups and individuals; and an online Advent reflection series.

Spiritual Gems of Belgium and Germany

Grand Place Market Square, Brussels, Belgium

Sister Jeannine Gramick, the co-founder of New Ways Ministry and an advocate for LGBT people for close to 50 years, is leading an LGBT-friendly pilgrimage to Belgium and Germany.  The itinerary includes sites of spiritual, historical, and cultural significance.

“Spiritual Gems of Belgium and Germany” is Sister Jeannine’s 16th pilgrimage, and past participants have praised them for not only the amazing places they have visited, but for the spirit of community and friendship which develop on each journey.  Through daily Mass and occasional group sharing of experiences and perspectives,  participants have forged connection with one another that have lasted for years.

Some highlights of the upcoming pilgrimage will be visiting the medieval universities in Louvain and Heidelberg, the magnificent cathedrals of Aachen and Cologne, the picturesque Belgian towns of Bruges and Ghent, and historic sites associated with the Beguines (early religious women’s communities) and of Hildegard of Bingen, the most important churchwoman of the Middle Ages.

On each trip, the pilgrims have also had an opportunity to meet with local groups of LGBT Christians, and wonderful international exchanges of ideas and support have also grown.

For further information and registration, click here or contact Sister Jeannine at [email protected] or 301-277-5674.

Journeys:  A Scripture Reflection Series for LGBT People and Allies

“Journeys” is an invitation to walk with our ancestors, discover the great Source of love, and celebrate our identities as children of God and LGBT persons and allies of faith. The series consists of nine separate exercises, each of which contains a section of Scripture, followed by questions for reflection, a prayer, and a short inspirational video. These exercise can be used for personal meditation, journal writing, or group conversations in parishes, schools, campus ministries, or other settings.

The titles of each exercise include:  “Genesis: Being Created,” “Exodus: Of Pride and Marches,”  “Lazarus:  The Man Jesus Loved,” and “The Body (of Christ).

Click here to go to the homepage for the “Journeys” series where you can download the entire 9-part program or any of the individual items that best suit your needs and interests.

Through these scripture passages, you can travel through the sands of the Bible and find your place in the Divine Story. Whether you are fleeing from “hardened” Pharaohs (Exodus 14:8), feel the urge to dance with abandon (2 Samuel 6) or pray with a heavy heart (Luke 22:41) these passages encourage you to wrestle with God and “not let go until you feel the divine blessing” (Genesis 32: 22-32).

The “Journeys” series was prepared by Dwayne Fernandes, a New Ways Ministry staff member who was trained as a spiritual guide at the Washington Theological Union.

Stay Tuned to Journey Through Advent!

For the four Sundays of Advent (December 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd), Bondings 2.0 will be featuring Scriptural reflection exercises based on the liturgical readings for the day.  Each exercise will follow the format described above for the “Journeys” series, and will be specifically geared for Catholic LGBT people and Allies.  Like “Journeys,” the Advent series can be used for individual and group reflection. We hope this series will help you as you prepare to celebrate the great feast of the Word Made Flesh:  Christmas.

To make sure that you don’t miss any of these Advent reflections, consider subscribing to Bondings 2.0 by typing your email address into the “Subscribe” box at the top of the right-hand column of this page.  Then click the “Subscribe” button.  You will receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription, which can be done with a simple click.  Then you’re all set!  You’ll receive an email when the blog is updated, usually once a day.  In this way, you won’t miss any of our content concerning Catholic LGBT news, opinion, and spirituality.

May God bless you on all your journeys!

–Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, November 14, 2018

 

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