Retreat and Book Ministry
Prayer Retreats
Prayer retreats are a powerful way to deepen our walk with the Lord. Whether retreats last for a few hours or a few days, the experience of being on retreat helps us to pull away from the daily stresses of life in order to focus our attention on listening for the leading of the Spirit. Prayer retreats not only deepen an individual’s relationship with the Lord, but also with other retreat participants. Because our congregation has witnessed the healing and transformative power of prayer retreats, we are devoted to participating in retreats throughout the year, through our three days of Prayer and Fasting a year for individual reflection in September, Advent and Good Friday, as well as two congregational retreats; one at the church on a Saturday and the other as an overnight at a retreat center where we can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.
Pastor Janet is certified in leading spiritual groups through The Shalem Institute and has been leading retreats for over 30 years for our church and other congregations. She loves to use the arts to deepen our ability to communicate to God through music, writing, art and body movement. For the past five
years, she has been leading a three -day retreat for the Pneuma certification program for spiritual directors. She has led retreats for congregations and youth groups.
Pastor Janet has led retreats on a variety of spiritual themes, including:
- Be Not Afraid
- Deeper into Forgiving Others and Ourselves 70x7
- Listening to God's Voice through Prayer
- Rediscovering Sabbath
- Healing Prayer
- Walking with Jesus through Holy Week
Workshops on Congregational Renewal
Pastor Janet offers workshops for congregations in renewal and leadership training. Some of the themes of her workshops include:
FIVE PRACTICES OF FRUITY CHURCHES
Based on Bishop Robert Schnase’s book, we explore five essential characteristics of growing and transforming congregations which are:
- Passionate Worship
- Risk-Taking Mission and Service
- Intentional Faith Development
- Radical Hospitality
- Extravagant Generosity
SERVANT LEADERS
For elders, board members, deacons, trustees and other leaders of the congregation.
THREEFOLD JOURNEY OF FAITH FOR ALL CHURCHES
- The journey inward of encouraging all members to deepen their walk with the lord
- The journey together of our fellowship and care for the church family
- The journey outward of mission and service to the community and world
WORKSHOPS ON RACIAL RECONCILIATION
Because our congregation has been intentional about our transformation from a middle-class Caucasian congregation to a multi-cultural and multi-class family of faith, Pastor Janet and Elder Carol Calloway have been called to lead workshops for clergy and laity in Racial Reconciliation. These workshops vary in length depending on the time granted for presentation. A full workshop of at least four hours covers these essential areas: Racism: What it is and what it isn’t, White Privilege, Internalized Racism, Racism in the Church and action plans for the future.
Testimonials:
“Pastor Janet was wonderful and allowed the Spirit to move through her. This was the best workshop I have ever attended.”
Participant in the Servant Leaders Workshop
“I have been sitting in church for 30 years and never understood forgiveness until now.”
Reader of the book, The 70 x 7 Forgiveness Challenge
Book Ministry
The 70x7 Forgiveness Challenge
$11.95
Forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing and peacemaking. Yet many Christians do not know what it is or how to live it. In the 70 x 7 Forgiveness Challenge, the reader explores and practices forgiveness with daily reflections, personal stories, scripture and prayer. This practical resource for individuals and small groups assists wounded Christians and congregations in finding healing and release from the pain and bitterness of the past. No longer victims, they are set free to love and live the abundant life Jesus longs to give to all.
Deeper into Forgiving
$11.95
Forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel, yet many Christians do not know what it is or how to find it. Inspired by years of teaching forgiveness on retreats and weekly classes at the jail, as well as the author’s personal journey to forgive her childhood abuser and the one who murdered a family member, this book makes forgiveness accessible to all who desire to be set free from the wounds of the past. Whether hurt by others or by ourselves, forgiveness is the way of letting go of the pain, anger, fear, guilt, and shame. Through daily meditations and the inspiring stories of those who practice forgiveness, readers are encouraged to work and pray every day on their personal journey of forgiveness to live the abundant life Jesus longs for us all.
The Waiting Room
$12.95
Breast cancer is a soul-shattering experience. Written by a ten-year breast cancer survivor, The Waiting Room is a call to women and their caregivers to listen beyond the terror of this disease for a deeper wisdom in making medical decisions. In addition to personal reflections from diagnosis to survivorship, this book offers practical suggestions for turning the experience of breast cancer into a spiritual journey of healing body, mind and heart.
Stay
$11.95
When other Protestant churches fled in white flight, The Christian Church of Wilkinsburg heard the call to “stay in the city”. This book describes our 30 year journey of staying for Jesus in the heart of an economically declining urban neighborhood. Each chapter describes the story of how the Spirit led us with Holy Words, such as Choose Love Over Fear, The Welcoming People of God and Manna Economics. At the end of each chapter are questions for personal and congregational reflection to help other believers and congregations transform their ministries through deep contemplative prayer and life-giving missions.