Joy Unspeakable

Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church (2nd edition) | Barbara A. Holmes

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I read this in Jan/Feb for my spiritual direction course, and it was excellent. It both broadened my definition of contemplation and challenged me to see contemplative practices in a new way. Holmes explores contemplative practices of the Black church, bringing in the historical context within which new forms of contemplation necessarily emerged. Viewing community and social activism through the lens of contemplation was illuminating. ⤵️

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) Holmes also highlights Howard Thurman, MLK, and others as Black contemplatives, and the 2nd edition includes new chapters on Obama‘s presidency, the BLM movement, and explorations of the work of Black artists including Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar. 1mo

Kristin_Reads I love Barbara Holmes and loved this book! I read it several years ago. 1mo

BarbaraJean @Kristin_Reads This was the first book I‘ve read by her, and I definitely want to seek out more. 1mo

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BarbaraJean

Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church (2nd edition) | Barbara A. Holmes

It‘s been HARD to find the joy lately. I keep a running list for #5JoysFriday and the last date on the list is 1/17. That tracks. But I know I need to lean into the practice of noticing and seeking joy. I read the tagged book over the past couple of weeks—an exploration of contemplative practices in the Black church. Holmes talks about “crisis contemplation” and boy, does that resonate. So here are my five joys this week: ⤵️

DebinHawaii

BarbaraJean 1. Reflecting with my EfM group on hope, change, and courage in our current political climate
2. Several deep, rich conversations with spiritual direction folks
3. This post from Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg about spiritual practice in these times: https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/fortify/
4. Literary Valentine memes!
5. Balancing out some heavier reads by sinking into The Secret Adversary for #ChristiesCapers and Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear (edited) 2mo

dabbe 🩶🩷🩶 2mo

julieclair Excellent link. And… good for you for posting 5 Joys even when your list stopped at 1/17. As the Rabbi says, “Even when the world is awful, we‘re allowed to have joy. Perhaps especially when the world is awful. That joy will help fuel and animate us, restore us when we‘re feeling overwhelmed and depleted.” 💙🩵💙 2mo

BarbaraJean @julieclair 🤗 Thank you!! And YES to her words on joy!! 💜 2mo

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Caterina

Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church (2nd edition) | Barbara A. Holmes

We're all nerds here, right? 😂 Since I have plenty of reading time for June and July and am starting my Master of Divinity in the fall, I decided to make myself a little syllabus of theological and justice books that I own, haven't read yet or want to reread, and think will support my future seminary studies. I'm still deciding which books will fill up the rest of these two lists. 😊 #preseminarysyllabus #summerreading

JamieArc This is beautiful! And a great idea! 6y

kspenmoll That‘s wonderful! What a great idea- one which I am sure gives you pleasure! 6y

heikemarie I think there‘s a book about the yard flamingo and it‘s history but I can‘t remember what it was called! 6y

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Caterina

Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church (2nd edition) | Barbara A. Holmes

I'm so excited to be exploring a call to some sort of something in the church (maybe deacon) through a seminary January term course, but wow is this a lot of work! 😂 I just tried Earl Grey for the first time this week, and it's fantastic. 💕 If any of y'all are interested in [communal] contemplative practices in the black church, from the birth of the African church to Black Lives Matter and Kendrick Lamar, this book is AMAZING so far!!

Emilymdxn That looks like such an amazing book! 6y

kspenmoll Thanks! 6y

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