Holding One Another in Care and Safety This Week
Beloved friends of LaSalle -
There is a lot going on in our world this week. Below we'll explore more around a new class we're starting on reconstructing faith - but first, I want to address all those in Chicagoland experiencing anxiety, worry, or lack of safety with the increased federal agents activity. Reach out if you need immediate assistance at all - and know that we are continuing to pray for and plan for how to help everyone stay healthy and safe, and learn how to partner and advocate wherever possible. We'll keep posting updates as we receive them on our Actions link under "Resources" and to the group which you can join as well. We'll keep lamenting, speaking truth, and gathering together to encourage one another in worship. And we will share safety and security plans we're putting into place for Sunday mornings for all ages; watch for that link as well. We need one another more than ever as the world around us shifts - thank you for being community and the ways you're stepping up to support the whole Body in this season!
I also want to take a moment to highlight the class that is starting this coming Sunday called "The Art of Reconstructing Faith." It's been a class in the making for several months, as a direct response to the growing demographic we're seeing in our congregation of folks who have had negative or harmful past encounters with the church or with faith. We know that church hurt is a particular kind of tender, personal pain to walk through, and that often it takes time, grace, care, and thoughtful community to walk that road. "Rarely, if ever, is healing done in isolation. Healing is an act of communion," bell hooks reminds us.
Below you'll find more about the class in the teachers' own words - I am so grateful for this tailor-made space that they have crafted for us! Please read on to learn from Ruth and Shannon their particular, gifted, creative approach to making space for this kind of healing this fall.
Lasalle will be hosting a collaborative offering called The Art of Reconstructing Faith, facilitated by Shannon Krabill, a licensed clinical therapist, and Ruth Lin Nakai, a creative and spiritual director. The Art of Faith Repair is a 4-session offering designed to support individuals who are navigating deconstruction and reconstruction in their faith journeys, providing a grounded and creative space for healing and deeper exploration.
How it works:
The Art of Faith Repair will take place immediately after service on October 5, November 2 & 16, and December 7.
Session 1 (October 5) is an open invitation to the congregation and will serve as an introduction to themes such as healing from church or religious trauma and spiritual reconstruction after deconstruction.
Sessions 2-4 will require a sign up and a commitment to attend at least 2 of the 3 sessions (11/2, 11/16, & 12/7). During these sessions, we will form a confidential cohort, engaging in therapeutic processing, creative practices, mindfulness exercises, and group storytelling. Each session will build upon the last, fostering safety, depth, and healing.