We’ll Get Through This Together!

Helping Each Other in Troubled Financial Times

by Joanna Quintrell, Journey Center Executive Director (2/09)

You will notice that many of the resources offered at the Journey Center are free of charge; we are deeply committed to providing support and encouragement to you in as many ways as we can. Especially in these challenging financial times, we want to do our part to make things easier, while at the same time keeping our own doors open and the lights on!

photo of hands We know that, like you, we have a choice regarding how we will face the challenges that life brings. And here is what we have decided:

· We will live from faith rather than anxiety. At the core of all we do here at the Center is the focus that spiritual direction invites us to… living in a growing awareness of the presence, love and grace of God. We trust in what the Spirit can do, rather than our own limited resources and abilities. We know that the Journey Center was birthed because of what is in God’s heart, and so we are trusting that what is needed will be provided. And we want to encourage you towards trust and faith in your own life!

· We will practice generosity rather than becoming focused on what WE need. It is so easy when things are tough to get self-focused…”Oh no! How will we make ends meet?” This kind of anxiety leads to a shutting down of our hearts and a shutting out of other people. We believe there is a better way and so we continue to practice generosity; from the beginning, the Journey Center has been about being a reflection of the character of the loving, generous, giving God we know.

· We will draw strength from community rather than withdrawing into isolation. As we continue to implement the vision for the Journey Center, we recognize that one of the gifts we offer is the gift of community. There is always someone here to listen and pray, and you will see in this newsletter that we have a growing number of gatherings for learning, prayer/meditation, health and fun…in community! You are invited to choose the gift of community as well…join us as we say “yes” to the invitation to “get through this together!”

In that spirit, we want you to know that we are ALWAYS able to set up payment plans for any fee-based workshop, class, group or retreat that you would like to attend…all you need to do is ask! Many people are taking this option and it works just fine for us…

Working together, we will continue to be here and you will continue to have all the opportunities you need to encounter the Living God and grow in your spiritual journey.

(The Journey Center is a new 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and all donations are tax-deductible)