In 2011, we hosted a live event at The Refuge called Walking Wounded: Hope for Those Hurt By Church. It was a great gathering of about 50 people, some from Denver, some from out of state–a place to laugh and grieve and gather some hope for the fallout of church and ministry pain. The next year, my friend Phyllis Mathis and I created a four week online course for people to access a more intentional space to walk through some of the big stuff that keeps us stuck. We loved it and ran groups for a couple of years before the platform we were using changed and we no longer had an easy to way to offer it.
I am so glad to say that we have a new partner on the class–Transform Network–and are starting a new group on May 27th! It’s a mix of video, reflection questions, practical exercises, and interaction with others who are finding their way, too. Our role is to facilitate the conversation and keep the group safe and nurture the content. One of the best parts is that you don’t have to go online at a certain time; there are 5 days in the group each week and you can participate at your own pace.
Here’s the promo material from the site:
Walking Wounded: Hope & Healing for Those Hurt by Church & Ministry
An online course focused on working through the painful and confusing aftermath of a negative faith-based experience as a leader, student, church member, pastor – anyone!
Have you …
- been asked or forced to leave a church because of theological differences or questioning?
- felt forced to conform or consistently overlooked
- been on the receiving end of “love the sinner, hate the sin”
- questioned church/ministry leadership and been shamed or discarded
- felt sad, angry, afraid, lost or betrayed after a church/ministry leadership or member experience
- experienced a “faith shift” and feel lonely, unsure or lost?
You are not lost, and you are not alone.
Through video, conversation, readings, journaling, storytelling and wellness exercises, Kathy Escobar & Phyllis Mathis will guide a small group of Transform Network friends through the confusion and into a place of purpose and peace. A great course for those who want to do their own healing before leading others spiritually, for those who are “done” with church but want emotional closure, or anyone who feels a connection to these ideas. ALL are welcome. ALL.
$59 (introductory rate) for 4 weeks of material and facilitation. May 13-June 3.
All of the details to register are here.
On Wednesday May 20th, there will be an open video conversation hosted by Transform that’s not directly connected to the class but a way to get a taste. All of those details are here and would love for you to be part!
It’s important to know that you don’t have to be online at a certain time. You can do it at your own pace. We have a video to start each week, along with reflection questions and exercises and ways to process, and you can access it when it works for you each week.
This class will incorporate some of the stuff from Faith Shift, mainly from the Unraveling section but fleshed out in some different ways. I am excited to be doing a Faith Shift Processing Party in Denver on May 27th and hoping to get the content videotaped and create a way to interact with the material here on the blog so that those who haven’t been in cities where we did live parties can be part. More on that coming, and if you or someone you know is in Denver, all are welcome.
Meanwhile, if you have any questions about Walking Wounded, let me know. You can always email me or post any comments.
Our hope is always that people feel less crazy, less alone and find some ways to move forward.
Every time I’ve done it, I always feel a little lighter and honored to be in the company of such brave and honest souls.
peace, kathy