Preaching is a central task in the lives of clergy, and yet it sometimes seems as though the pressure to produce, combined with other duties of parish life, becomes a burden and contributes to the busyness that squeezes out time for spiritual practices. Steeped in the Holy seeks to reclaim the spiritual foundations for preaching, inviting clergy and students to see preparation and preaching not as an intrusion, but as an opportunity to engage with God and to develop practices that deepen a relationship with God and feed preaching.
Raewynne Whiteley is rector of St. James Episcopal Church in St. James, New York. She is the co-author of Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog.
Part 1 A Designated God Person Part 2 Food for the Soul: Sacrament Chapter 3 Sermon: Empty hands Chapter 4 Sermon: There is no doubt Part 5 Finding Our Way Home: Scripture Chapter 6 Sermon: Grace Comes Chapter 7 Sermon: Nativity to Resurrection Part 8 Strangers at Home: Hospitality Chapter 9 Sermon: A Wider Circle Chapter 10 Sermon: Unexpected Part 11 Kingfishers Catch Fire: Play Chapter 12 Sermon: A deep breath Chapter 13 Sermon: The Wall Part 14 Holy Conversation: Prayer Chapter 15 Sermon: Love came to us Chapter 16 Sermon: Take, eat Part 17 And it was Good: Embodiment Chapter 18 Sermon: Right beside them Chapter 19 Sermon: What we know
With prose, poetry, song, and prayer, Raewynne Whiteley demonstrates a practice of preaching that is flexible yet disciplined, both artful and theologically substantial. Preaching like this is serious, holy fun for both preacher and congregation. -- Ellen F. Davis, Duke Divinity School Preachers have needed this book for awhile, for it eloquently and thoughtfully focuses on how the preparation and preaching of sermons are not only labors of love we undertake on behalf of others, but also spiritual disciplines that feed us and bring us closer to God. I love the mix of the expected topics (sacrament, scripture, prayer) and less-expected topics (play, hospitality, embodiment) Raewynne Whiteley addresses in her treatment of preaching as spiritual practice. I also love the way in which she interweaves poems, prayers, hymn texts, and her own well-crated sermons throughout the prose of this volume-making the very reading of it feel more like a spiritual exercise than an academic one. Preachers will find inspiration, encouragement, and blessing here. They will also find a great deal of sound homiletical scholarship, insight and wisdom. -- Leonora Tubbs Tisdale, Yale Divinity School Preaching is WORK; yet (as spiritual masters remind us) 'Work is prayer,' and 'Prayer is the practice of the presence of God.' Whiteley assists us in appropriating these pithy aphorisms, so that the process of preaching itself has the prospect of becoming a soul-nurturing spiritual discipline. -- David J. Schlafer, author of Your Way With God's Word a collection of insightful essays, stimulating sermons, thoughtful poetry and practical advice. * Ventura County Star *
