Explore the many ways to uncover the wonder and release the joy of teaching and learning in all areas of life.Drawing on her own experience as well as the stories and journeys of many other teachers in conventional and unconventional settings, Jane Vennard explores the elements that make teaching a sacred art recognizing teaching as a call to service and the teaching profession as a vocation.She paints a broad picture of the teaching experience and invites readers to learn from the stories of others and to remember their own stories of both teaching and learning. Every chapter offers reflections, practices and activities designed to draw the reader inward to learn from and be reinvigorated by their own experiences.Vennard writes vividly about the teaching life the messiness, wonder, joy and frustration. She captures the real day-to-day responsibility teachers have for those in their care. Although aimed primarily at those at all levels of the teaching profession, parents, grandparents and all those who have any interest in the teaching-learning process will find inspiration in the stories, information and ideas presented in this lively book."

Authentic teaching is messy, exciting, frustrating, joyful, challenging—and sacred. "Through stories, information and reflection, we [will look] inward, going more deeply into the discovery of who we are, not only as teachers but also as women and men for whom teaching is only a part of life. I believe the deepest calling … is the call to be who we truly are." —from Chapter Seven, “Teaching Who We Are� Beloved teacher Rev. Jane E. Vennard leads an inner exploration of the hopes and fears, joys and frustrations, gifts and limitations that influence teachers of all kinds—teachers like you—every day. Drawing on her own experience as well as stories from many teachers in conventional and unconventional settings, she inspires you to reconnect to your original desire to open minds and hearts to learning. With reflection questions, practices and activities, she helps you reinvigorate your passion for your vocation, your students and your subject, thus recognizing how teaching is a sacred art.

Fulfill the reality that the glory of God is the human fully alive. "Reverend Vennard is fearlessly awake to the wild dance of life. Rather than sleeping through life, she awakens to it. Rather than escaping from reality, she embraces it. Rather than distracting herself with a life to come, she dares to live the life that is. And she wants you to do all this as well. Read this book. Live this book. Wake up." —from the Foreword In a culture enthralled with technology, striving and speed, people of many faith traditions and no faith tradition long to slow down, pay attention and wake up to the present moment. They want help in realizing their hope that they can become more truly alive. This engaging and highly readable book offers you guidance for the journey. Sharing stories from her personal life as a spiritual seeker and from her professional career as a retreat leader, spiritual director and teacher, Reverend Jane Vennard illustrates the joys and frustrations of spiritual practice, offers insights from various religious traditions, and provides step-by-step exercises and meditations to practice: Caring for the body • Rest • Silence Solitude • Letting go • Community • Hospitality • Service • Living gratefully

Fulfill the reality that the glory of God is the human fully alive.

"Reverend Vennard is fearlessly awake to the wild dance of life. Rather than sleeping through life, she awakens to it. Rather than escaping from reality, she embraces it. Rather than distracting herself with a life to come, she dares to live the life that is. And she wants you to do all this as well. Read this book. Live this book. Wake up."

from the Foreword

In a culture enthralled with technology, striving and speed, people of many faith traditions and no faith tradition long to slow down, pay attention and wake up to the present moment. They want help in realizing their hope that they can become more truly alive.

This engaging and highly readable book offers you guidance for the journey. Sharing stories from her personal life as a spiritual seeker and from her professional career as a retreat leader, spiritual director and teacher, Reverend Jane Vennard illustrates the joys and frustrations of spiritual practice, offers insights from various religious traditions, and provides step-by-step exercises and meditations to practice:

Caring for the body Rest Silence Solitude Letting goCommunity Hospitality Service Living gratefully"

The Way of Prayer is a 10-week resource designed to help people expand their understanding of the nature and practice of prayer. Many Christians grow up with a limited vision of what prayer is and how to pray. The Way of Prayer offers many forms to explore and practice, both individually and as a group. People with different temperaments, spiritual types, and learning styles will each find expressions of prayer that draw them closer to God. They will also learn to integrate body, mind, and spirit in prayer, and to live a more creative rhythm between the inner life and the outward journey of service. This resource can help bring greater scope and vitality into the prayer life of your congregation. Topics include:
How do you Pray?
Images of God?
Praying by Heart
Praying with Music
Praying by Gazing
Praying with Our Bodies
Scriptural Prayer
Contemplative Prayer
Praying with and for Others
Prayer and Social Transformation
- Small groups in local churches
- Companions in Christ customers

Praying with Body and Soul involves the whole person: our senses, our bodies at rest or in motion, our imaginations, as well as our minds and emotions. By paying prayerful attention to the body people will not only recognize the ways in which they already pray, but will learn how to deepen their relationship with God. Each chapter includes questions for reflection, and practical exercises, such as drawing, walking meditation, fasting, making music, dancing, and praying in sickness and disability. This guide to prayer can be used by individuals, prayer partners, and small groups.

What is intercession? What happens when we pray for someone else? How do we pray for our enemies? Does prayer change God's will? By addressing these questions in the context of everyday experience, Vennard helps people of prayer grow in their understanding and practice of intercessory prayer. In this book, Vennard guides individuals or small groups by providing questions for reflection and discussion, and suggestions for intercession-related activities. Her wise counsel will help both new and experienced pray-ers explore the ministry of intercessory prayer.

The Leader's Guide provides complete guidance for each of the weekly meetings, including simple worship experiences for opening and closing times, music suggestions, and lists of items needed for each session. All weekly group gatherings follow the same general outline:
-Opening time of worship and centering (10 minutes)
-Sharing insights from the weekly readings and exercises (45 minutes)
-Break (10 minutes)
-Deeper explorations through a group experience (45 minutes)
-Closing worship (10 minutes)

Pastors and others who want to develop their skills as teachers of prayer and spiritual practices will find in this book not only wisdom for themselves but easily accessible lesson plans, enabling them to share Vennard's insights with others while infusing the activities with their own spirit and creative ideas. Through this book, readers' hearts are made ready to explore the wonder of strengthening their relationship with God through prayer.

Many people long for a deeper relationship with God, yearning for silence in a noisy world and a respite from busyness. Written for lay and ordained leaders who wish to bring the gift of space and silence to members who feel called to the contemplative journey, the book introduces the purpose of retreats, provides a theological and biblical understanding of the model, and offers guidance for designing and leading these gatherings. Sample retreats, a design for home retreats, and suggested resources are included.