Nancy has extensive experience leading groups on a variety of topics. Her newest group leadership has been in:
Telling the Stories of the Ancestors. Nancy’s experience in writing Fianna’s Story and Those Who Came Before has taught her the importance of exploring, researching and sharing the stories of our ancestors. She is excited to encourage others in similar adventures, whether through conversations with family members, or exploring the attic or the Internet.
The Importance of Telling Our Own Stories. Nancy believes all of us have stories that our families and others will be interested in hearing and learning from. She encourages us to begin to tell these stories, and offers ideas for how to proceed.
Some of Nancy’s favorite subjects over the years have been focused on spiritual discernment and spiritual practices:
Spiritual Discernment. Spiritual discernment is the practice of examining our lives while listening for God’s guidance to help find our way. With stories and exercises, Nancy employs a three fold approach: opening to God, being attentive to what we notice about our lives and the Spirit’s nudges, and finally responding by taking steps forward. Her book Decision Making & Spiritual Discernment has a six session guide for groups, and she is available for opening or closing sessions.
Contemplative Awareness: Noticing the Sacred in Daily Life. Beneath the activities and busyness of life, we often yearn to feel that “In God, we live and move and have our being.” Contemplative living is being awake to that reality in the middle of life. Nancy helps each person to find ways of integrating spiritual awareness in daily life.
Prayer and Prayerfulness. What lies at the heart of prayer? Enlarging our understanding of prayer encourages us to nurture prayerfulness in our lives. Through a variety of prayer forms, participants will find those that fit them best. We examine habits that nurture or hinder prayerfulness and begin to build a rhythm of prayer in daily life.
Deepening Spiritual Life Within Spiritual Communities. Being active in a religious group brings many rewards but busy programs can eclipse the human need for close spiritual community and for supportive companions on the journey. We look at our communities and the ways we can nurture spiritual life within them.
The Sacred Art of Holding Lightly–and Sometimes Letting Go. Activities, life patterns, possessions! Holding tightly onto these can potentially limit spiritual growth and the space for God in our lives. We reflect together on what/when/how we are to hold more lightly, and maybe release altogether as part of our spiritual journeys.
Curious about Quakers? Worship based in silence, clearness committees, never voting? Who are Quakers? A Quaker for many years, Nancy shares the story of her tradition, how Quakers live their faith, and what they have to offer to the world.
Wisdom from the Celtic Christian Tradition. For centuries, early Christianity in the British Isles developed parallel and separate from mainstream Christianity. Exploring the fascinating story of this tradition, we will discover how the rich wisdom of Celtic Christianity brings unique gifts for us today.
Retreat for Renewal. Stepping back from our busy lives in a retreat setting can refill and renew us. In this mostly quiet, mostly unprogrammed time, there is space for reflection and inner exploration. Nancy lightly structures the retreat, providing suggestions and materials for shaping our experience.
To inquire further about Nancy’s speaking or retreat offerings, click here to contact her on the site.