A new venture for 2022 – you are invited

I have three different opportunities that might be for you, or it might not. Read a mini-description below for Spiritual Direction – Group or Individual, and an upcoming Book Club. Reach out to me if you are interested in learning more or if you would like to meet with me to see what it feels like to work with me. I’m gathering interest now and I plan to begin mid- January 2022. My email is sejanashines@gmail.com. Let’s talk!

Hi! I’m Sejana (more about me here). I know I’m meant to journey together with others in this season. So, doing what I do best, I come up with ideas and put it out there. Sometimes they don’t work out, but often they do. I, and the others who join in with me, seem to think it’s worthwhile (judging by the depth of conversations and that we finish together all the way through).

Looking ahead to 2022, I want to do things a little differently. I want to purposely lead with my strengths, take a risk, and invite others along with me in my journey. I’ve done this before, but not as intentionally since being here in our new home in Central Texas. I truly believe I am made to walk along with others. I know this is a bit different to reach out via a blog or a social media post. But, this is what it is. I think meeting online is the way of the future, but actually, I’ve been doing this for years. I’ve had meaningful and long lasting relationships with several people in my life over Skype, FB messenger videos, IG video, Kakao calls, regular phone calls, and email FOR YEARS. What I know is, if you want to be intentional with others, you can! (See some old posts here and here.) Just set a time with one another and ensure you get the time zones right! Then, all you have to do is just KEEP THE APPOINTMENT. Show up! It may not be a face to face meeting, but it matters that you do what you say you will do. It matters that you show up and that you show up regularly. I’ve journeyed with others like this for years and it has enriched my life. This was important for me because we often moved every 2-3 years because of the military. So, what about you? Are you looking for meaningful conversation? Do you want to be intentional in your relationships this year?

Spiritual Direction – small group

I’d like to gather together a few persons to ‘journey’ together by spending a set aside time to meet together every other week online for 3 months (mid-Jan through mid-May). Group spiritual direction is an opportunity to listen deeply to others and, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we thoughtfully respond to the person that has shared.

The basic format for each meeting will probably look something like this: A short time of introducing a specific spiritual practice, we practice it together, short opportunity for all to respond, a concentrated focus on one person in the group who will share whatever they want to present to the group (this will rotate at each meeting), a time of silence and seeking of the Holy Spirit, responses to the person that shared from the group, final words from the person that shared (optional), and a closing prayer. This group works when all the persons involved give attention to the others in the group as they would like given to them. The ‘director’ of the group is the Holy Spirit. My role is to be a ‘facilitator’ guiding us to continue to seek direction from God on behalf of the others in our group for one another. **Please note: I am not a fully trained Spiritual Director. I am currently going through Spiritual Direction training and would like to practice my skills in leading group spiritual direction. We will learn together. I have led groups before and I have been formally trained as a counselor, but this is not counseling and this is not a regular group. Reach out to me if you are interested so we can talk.

Spiritual Direction – Individual

I’d like to make space for 3 persons (men or women) to meet with me individually for monthly 50-minute sessions. We will find a consistent day/time that works for both of us and and schedule it. This is an opportunity to be heard and to process whatever you’d like to share with the guidance of various practices and our seeking of the Holy Spirit together. This time can help with discernment. It can help with getting things off your chest. It can help to simply have a companion with you helping you get back into communion with God. I am also currently receiving spiritual direction from a trained and experienced Spiritual Director.

I will use different practices in our time together. A few books that have shaped my understanding of spiritual direction are: “Creating a life with God- the call of ancient prayer practices” by Daniel Wolpert, “Celebration of Discipline- the path to spiritual growth” by Richard J Foster, “Spiritual Companioning – A guide to Protestant theology and practice” by Angela Reed, Richard R Osmer, and Marcus G Smucker, “Sacred Companions: The Gift of Spiritual Direction and Friendship” by David Benner, and “Seeking God Together: An Introduction to Group Spiritual Direction” by Alice Fryling. **Please note: I am not a fully trained Spiritual Director. I am going through Spiritual Direction training and am required to begin working with individuals as a part of my training. Reach out to me if you are interested so we can talk.

Book Club – “Ready to Rise: Own your voice, Gather your community, Step into your influence” by Jo Saxton

I’ve already listened to this book, “Ready to Rise,” and I would love to go back through it with a small group of people that want to explore the ideas presented here, chapter by chapter. This would be great for those interested in journeying with other women in various leadership roles as we share what we see in our circles and experiences. My personal goal in going through this material is to recognize that we are not alone in our struggles and that we can make leading as a woman easier for other women by being aware of the issues, supporting one another, and being a part of the solution for better future leadership for all. This book discusses real life topics such as harassment, sexism, self-doubt, and loneliness. Read more about Jo Saxton here: https://www.josaxton.com/ready-to-rise .

Details: Everyone needs to purchase their own books and pre-read the chapters before the meeting. There are 1-2 “reflection” questions at the end of the chapter for opportunity to journal your responses. Feel free to share what stood out to you and your thoughts from our time together when we meet. 8 meetings online – 1 hour (up to 1.5hrs if needed), 2 chapters per meeting. Dates: Starting 24 Jan, 7 Feb, 21 Feb, 14 Mar, 28 Mar, 11 Apr, 25 Apr, and 9 May (optional final meeting) at 3-4pmEST/2-3pmCT. Note: I am also open to hosting another book club in-person or in the evening to accommodate those not available during the day if there is enough interest.

Why am I offering these opportunities?

Everyone has their gift. Mine is to gather people together and have honest conversations about life. I LOVE getting to know about other people. I LOVE spending time and listening to what you have to say and where you are in life. It is a privilege for me to walk alongside others as they go about in their journey. I heard that it feels rare for people to feel heard. I admit, I experience this too. But instead of remaining frustrated, I take action. I can create opportunities for these connections myself. Someone just needs to get it started, why not me?!

I realized that traditional counseling wasn’t really what I wanted to do with the rest of my life after the Army (after getting my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling). I realized and feel strongly that something is missing if God is not a real part of the conversation. Also, something is missing if I am not also embracing who God made me to be. I like to find strengths in people. I like to build bridges that connect people together in meaningful ways and discovering/using their gifts and talents. I also like to take action. So… here I am! In this season, I am offering space and time for you to journey with me, and maybe a few others, to be intentional together.

My way is discovering how God is already working in and through a person’s life. I try to help people see what they already have by giving space to listen to what is on their mind. I have realized (maybe you have too) that when I hear what others are really going through, I recognize that WE ARE NOT ALONE. It is really special to be able to companion with others in this way. I believe this is the way of the future- genuine relationships and meaningful connections with others. I’d like to offer space to you as I get started in my journey of becoming a fully trained ‘spiritual director.’ Let’s meet so we can see what this might be like and see if this is a good fit for us both at this season of life.

If you’re interested in the book club, I know it will be great. The last book club I’ve hosted was “The Making of Biblical Womanhood” by Beth Allison Barr with 3 other women all around the world in the summer of 2021. We all had differing views but were curious about the book and came together regularly with our thoughts, questions, and responses to her book and our understandings of the Bible. It was a really beautiful experience. I expect that this time of sharing and learning from one another through this book, “Ready to Rise,” will be just as encouraging and informative in our leadership circles.

Reach out if any of these opportunities interest you by emailing me at sejanashines@gmail.com or contact me via social media. We can then set up a time to chat briefly online, meeting to see what might be next.

Sincerely,

Sejana

Please share this blogpost with others that you think might be interested. Subscribe to my blog if you’d like to find out about more opportunities to connect in the future. Follow me online (I post more regularly on IG/FB @SejanaShines) to stay connected. My name is Sejana Yoo. I’m here shining the light of Christ in everyday life – from the mundane to the messy. You are beloved by the Lord! ☀️🌱🌦️💐❤️ Thank you for reading!

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