GOING DEEPER

A New Resource Just Released. Richard Foster and Kathryn Yanni have combined efforts to produce a Journal Workbook to accompany Celebration of Discipline. Published by HarperSanFrancisco under the title Celebrating the Disciplines, this new resource helps readers find fresh ways to reflect on, experience, and integrate the Spiritual Disciplines into their lives. Designed to be interactive for use by individuals, couples, and groups, it features spiritual reflections, questions for journal writing, and exercises for one full year.

The Journal Workbook has an interesting genesis. Last spring, just before going to a creative staff meeting, Mark Brockering of HarperSanFrancisco called Lynda Graybeal, wondering if she had any ideas for possible products. In the course of the conversation, Lynda mentioned that over the years our office had received many requests for suggested resources in journal writing. Mark made the comment that HarperSanFrancisco was having great success publishing new format workbooks that accompany best-seller books. They agreed that he needed to explore further a product in which a person reads Celebration of Discipline while working through a journal/workbook over the course of a year.

It is our hope that this product, coming out of that ten minute, seemingly insignificant telephone call, will enable people to better integrate the Spiritual Disciplines into their lives.

Commenting on the new Journal Workbook, Richard Foster says, "I am genuinely pleased with the creative work that Kathy Yanni brought to this project. Her superb understanding of the workbook and journal formats has made this an extremely useable resource. I am delighted with the result. I hope every single person who has read Celebration will secure and use Celebrating the Disciplines."

GROWING PAINS

This part of our newsletter continues to be a place for varied items of interest.We have talked about the content and use of the Devotional Readings, shifts in the structure and location of RENOVARÉ, the development and purpose of the Spiritual Formation Group Workbook, and noted comments about the October, 1991 National Conference held in Pasadena, California. Today, I would like to celebrate our—and your—successes.

Though we ofttimes chafe under regulations, they are a necessary evil in a culture striving to keep order. Our contribution to that order, Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, were signed on November 21, 1988, over four years ago!

In the intervening years we received temporary approval as a 501(c)(3), held two National Conferences, helped with two Local Conferences, contracted with two retreat centers for five gatherings, published two products, filled two four-drawer file cabinets with correspondence and papers (and a storeroom with supplies and books!), ad infinitum. We've laughed, agonized, ached, pondered, dreamed, cried. And we did it all without ever going in the red financially!

Another Side. But in the midst of all this busyness and wonderfulness, we have tried to maintain a personal touch and listen to you, our constituency. And when we listen, what we hear is heartening and humbling. Let me share just a few of the many comments we have received over the past two years:

"I was elated to receive the materials about RENOVARÉ. What a joy to see a concerted effort to bring together under one roof the assorted groups of committed Christians!"
Alyson from Bainbridge Island, Washington