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Eternal Flame of Hope
Have you ever been on a pilgrimage to a sacred place that lingers in your heart for years? Saint Brigid’s Well in Kildare, Ireland, is one of those exceptional places for me.
At the entrance of the garden, a statue of Saint Brigid holding an eternal flame of hope greets pilgrims. The day that Spiritual Directors International pilgrims journeyed to the well, the sky was Ireland-overcast, but not brooding. Bright orange and yellow leaves of autumn welcomed us as if Brigid had painted the colors of sunrise onto the silent trees. No wind. It was the perfect setting to contemplate, absorb, and be enlightened by the Celtic goddess and Christian saint, Brigid.
In a grassy field, five large boulders mark places to pray next to the well. One stone at a time, Regina Roman, our pilgrim guide, led us in contemplating five story prayers about Brigid’s life:
Brigid, a woman of the land;
Brigid, the peacemaker;
Brigid, friend of the poor;
Brigid, woman of the hearth.
Brigid, woman of contemplation.
By the time we reached the fifth boulder, I felt a warm sensation in my heart and an overwhelming sense of who Brigid was and continues to be for Ireland and increasingly for people around the world and across traditions. It was Brigid’s commitment to her contemplative life that made possible her servant leadership: bridging wealthy and poor, healthy and sick, new worlds and old. Of course—I thought—Brigid, woman of contemplation!
As a way of integrating our journey to the well, Brigid’s light was ritually offered by Regina to each pilgrim. I remember standing in a silent circle, basking in radiant light. Brigid is always with us, eternally offering hope and encouraging us to pass it on. Reflection: Brigid’s feast day is celebrated at the beginning of February, in the middle of dark winter in the Northern Hemisphere. In Ireland, the whole month of February, known at Min a Feile Bride (Month of the Festival of Brigid) honors her spirit of hope and light, reminding us that spring will soon arrive.
How might February be a time of receiving light and passing it on?
In the comments section on the blog, please share your stories.
1. Giving thanks 
Because of your generosity during the 2011 Year End Appeal, we continue to enrich and honor the ministry of spiritual direction. With a response of over USD$5,000 in donations, we are able to provide increased scholarship and bursary funding for the 2012 Cultivating Compassion Educational Events. Well done!
-------------------------- Dates: 22–31 May 2012
Pilgrim Guides: Margaret Benefiel, PhD; Franciscan Brother David Liedl; Rev. Terry Moran; Photographer: David Budd -------------------------- 3. Nurturing Transformation SDI expresses gratitude for Diane Millis who will guide the transformative experience for New Contemplatives at Cultivating Compassion Educational Events in Boston. The New Contemplatives Initiative is a scholarship and bursary award program for individuals under forty who are pursuing the call offer spiritual direction. --------------------------
4. Learn. Connect. Participate. Grow: Register for Boston
The 2012 Spiritual Directors International Cultivating Compassion Educational Events April 19-27, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA include a free public program to raise awareness of spiritual direction, two institutes, a conference, a pilgrimage, and two contemplative retreats.
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5. Do you want to learn tips to find a spiritual director?  FREE teleconference! Would you like tips to seek and find a spiritual guide? Learn how the online Seek and Find Guide can aid you, or seekers you meet. Please attend and share this valuable resource with people in your community
February 16, 2012. 12:00 EDT; 4:00 GMT/UTC.
FREE Teleconference: “How to Seek and Find a Spiritual Director”
To RSVP and receive the telephone call in number paste this URL in your browser: http://bit.ly/FreeTeleconferenceSDI
This is a Spiritual Directors International sponsored event for everyone who is interested.
Please share the FREE teleconference details with your colleagues, chaplains, or spiritual care department at your local hospital, local career center, within a faith community, or at a local retreat center. Post this event on twitter, Facebook, or any of your social networking sites. Everyone is welcome. --------------------------
6. Suggest an author 
Have you heard a speaker recently that you think should write for Presence? Send your suggestions to editor@sdiworld.org. Include the speaker’s name and e-mail address and the topic you think he or she should write about. We are especially interested in finding authors from Europe, Asia, and Africa.
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7. Year of the Dragon 
In January, the blog welcomed in the Year of the Dragon! Stay up to date and current with the happenings in spiritual direction through the SDI blog. Guest contributions are always welcome, for information on sharing your voice contact: programs@sdiworld.org
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8. Search for Meaning with Mary Oliver and James Martin, SJ  On Saturday, February 4, please pray for SDI members who volunteer and for the seekers who sign up for a taste of spiritual companionship during the Search for Meaning book festival. Spiritual Directors International is partnering with the Seattle University School for Theology and Ministry book festival, February 4, called, “Search for Meaning.” Mary Oliver and James Martin, SJ are the keynote presenters at this free educational event where more than a thousand participants are expected. The location of the book festival is Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, USA. Members of Spiritual Directors International will offer free spiritual direction throughout the day. An information booth about spiritual direction will help to educate the Northwest USA and Canada community about the value of meeting regularly with a spiritual companion. Thank you volunteers! --------------------------
9. Cultivating Compassion in the National Capital Presbytery Would you like to reach out and educate Presbyterians about spiritual direction as one way to cultivate compassion in a community of care? Do you live in the Washington, DC area? If you answered yes, please join SDI Coordinating Council member Therese Taylor-Stinson as she raises awareness of spiritual direction during an upcoming event sponsored by the National Capital Presbytery Committee on Ministry's Care Team. National Capital Presbytery Open Forum Where: National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20016
Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Look for the Spiritual Directors International table with information about spiritual direction. Pick up an “Ask Me About Spiritual Direction” button to wear, to help identify you as someone who knows about spiritual direction. Thank you for helping raise awareness about the ministry and service of spiritual direction in the Presbyterian Christian tradition. --------------------------
10. February reflection provided by member and poet Joan Ebbitt of Adrian, Michigan, USA. Yes!
O Morning Star…
Dawn of All Life
O Divine Mystery…
Diamond of Darkness
You are…
The Silence of Winter
You are…
The Hope of Spring
O Tree of Life…
Greening of Summer
O Great Wind…
Breath of All Life
O Beloved One…
Heart of My Soul
O Prime Invigorator…
Soul of My Heart
O Prime Invigorator…
Soul of My Heart.
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11. February blessing from the Executive Director
There is a saying that Brigid responds to any offerings to her. Coins were often tossed into her wells accompanied by prayers and good wishes. May you offer a sign of hope to people you companion in February, sharing the eternal flame.
Peace be with you,
Liz
Liz Budd Ellmann, MDiv
Executive Director
CLASSIFIED ADS
The Way of the Universe: Spirituality for the 21st Century Internationally known mathematical cosmologist, Dr. Brian Swimme and teacher and author Fr. Richard Rohr will be in Las Vegas for a one day speaking engagement. February 25, 2012, 9am-4pm, JW Marriott, Las Vegas, Nevada. Tickets are $75 in advance, $100 at the door. For more information or to register call Stillpoint 702.243.4040 or visit stillpointcsd.org.
Required Reading: Finding Seekers: How to Develop a Spiritual Direction Practice from Beginning to Full-Time Employment by Dr. Bruce Tallman. The classic work for spiritual directors totally updated. 50 new pages including social media networking: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Skype. 212 pages. For expert testimonies, full Table of Contents, and to download this exciting, updated ebook, go to www.brucetallman.com and click on "Store." If you would like to place a classified announcement or advertisement about your programs, retreats, new books, etc., in Membership Moments, fill out the form on the website.
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