I first started taking a blog break during the summer a chunk of years ago. It’s always been a wise decision and helps me to not think in blog, re-group a bit, and focus on my kids and the tender time left with them as they are all growing up.
This Summer I’m a bit behind on getting this post out, but that’s because I’ve been busy playing out at the lake (our happy place) and helping get some fun stuff up and running at The Refuge for the Summer. We expanded our Refuge Cafe to three days a week and it’s been so wonderful! I’ve also really been enjoying facilitating Freedom Summer Camp, our 12 week unplugged, Summer community-learning experience centered on the 12 Steps and Beatitudes as a path for spiritual and personal transformation. It makes my heart happy. An extra awesome bonus is we also got our first pastoral intern for the semester and it’s been a lovely gift to have her presence and leadership here as she learns what it’s like to cultivate a wild and crazy Christian community and mission center like The Refuge. We are hoping to continue opening up opportunities for interns in future semesters, so if you or someone you know is interested in learning this kind of ministry, let me know.
When it comes to blogging, I haven’t been writing as much in this past season because I have been focused on what’s happening here, but I am looking forward to the intentional break for the next few months. I’ll be back in September, and will continue to use this space to share in most of the same ways I have been for a long time now.
However, I’m also super excited to be entering into a new chapter of blogging intentionally on all things Faith Shift over at Patheos Progressive Christian Channel, starting July 1st. If you fit into this category of spiritual refugees, church burnouts, or freedom seekers, come hang out there. It will be fun for me to nurture this new very-specific space and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead there.
This Fall I’ve got some fun events in some different cities and am looking forward to finishing up an experimental E-book project I’ve been wanting to finish for a while now. It’s tentatively called When the Bible Gives You Hives: Re-Engaging After You’ve Become Allergic. It’s not just for others; it’s for me, too. It’ll be 6’ish chapter workbook for groups and individuals where 100% of the proceeds will go to the work of The Refuge. I am excited to experiment with this (I love tools and interactive experiences) and so writing it out here means I am actually going to have to finish it! If you’re interested send me a message so I know.
I am entering into the last year before my #4 and 5 children graduate from high school and we’re empty nesters, so the 2017-18 year will be a very special one for me.
If you’re just landing here, there are so many posts here to read and connect with, more material than anyone needs.
A few other updates that you might want to check out:
~ I’m on break for July and August for Sheloves Magazine, also, but here are 2017 posts if you missed them (I always love writing for them).
- June – Singing Without Words
- May – Solidarity Like the Redwoods
- April – But the Cross Hurts
- March – Doing Hard Things Scared
February – Before Us, After Us - January – 10,00o Hours
~ Faith Circus, Big tent conversations about faith, church and life (and the occasional elephant in the room) with Karl Wheeler, wrapped up Season Two. I’m not sure what the future holds for that as we’re on break and in a season of discernment but there are a lot of episodes to listen to if you’re interested. Here’s the link to the Season 1 and 2 archives.
~ Again, if you’re trying to find your way through a shifting faith, join in over at Patheos!
~ And if you want to keep up with things happening at The Refuge, our Facebook Page is a good place to follow along or if you want to get updates on events and blogs at Patheos, etc. my public Facebook Page is where I post a lot of that stuff (or on Twitter at @kathyescobar).
~ Lastly, if you’ve been extra discouraged about the political climate in the US and need some encouragement each week, I’ve really loved getting Small Victories each week via email. They are small reminders of good things happening in the landscape of justice and change and they always make me smile.
Grateful for each of you and this space over the years.
May Summer be a season of rest and renewal. See you back here in September!
Peace and Hope, Kathy