Happy summertime! I hope you are enjoying the easing of social and travel restrictions in your area. It's been good to gather with my church community again, and to sing out loud. I didn't realize how much I missed that until I was belting it out this past Sunday!
Looking back over the last six months, there are a few completed projects to share with you; I co-authored an appendix on prayer for our main Journey Discipleship Course manual; co-produced ten videos to train staff and volunteers on the appendix; and piloted an eight-week support group written by Journey specifically for women who struggle with addiction in their relationships and sexuality. The pilot just concluded at the end of June.
Working with the pilot group was encouraging. I've heard many stories over the years from women who felt they couldn't talk openly about struggles with sexuality - that it's something only men deal with. So it was gratifying to "test out" the material with women who had participated in a JDC and identified the need for additional support. The feedback received from them throughout the process was invaluable: we'll make some additions to the content and launch the full version in the Spring of 2022.
So thank you for the ways you partner with Journey, whether in prayer or finances, so that we can offer resources like this. Here is a note from one of the participants about her experience. I hope it encourages you!
"During the Pilot Women’s Group, I experienced deep acceptance and forgiveness. I was able to share and acknowledge past sins I’d never had the courage to discuss openly before. This group has given me the encouragement and bravery to consider major life changes."
Warmly,
Kirsten