Groundings is a monthly lecture series offered September through May by Sacred Ground in collaboration with Loyola Spirituality Center and the Ignatian Spirituality Center at Saint Thomas More. Groundings is open to anyone interested in deepening their spirituality, their capacity for deep listening, and their contemplative engagement in our world.
A Contemporary Pastoral Vocabulary with which to Speak of the Holy One
A new vocabulary with which to speak of the Holy One is emerging in Christian churches. Can we move beyond speaking of God with gender pronouns, the traits of human personality, or a specific location “in heaven?” And can we do this while continuing to hold to the teaching of Chalcedon? Employing images of the Holy One that Jesus gave us—present with us, forgiving us, seeking us out, loving us—we will spell out this fresh vocabulary—and talk together about it and how it can contribute to people encountering Holy Mystery and discerning its Presence.
Bill Huebsch is a husband, an author, a gardener, an advocate for the poor, and a bit of a monk. He did his grad work in pastoral theology at Catholic Theological Union of Chicago, where he was in the Rahner Seminar with Peter Schineller SJ. He served on the team with +Ray Lucker at the Diocese of New Ulm for eight years in the 1980s and is the retired president and publisher of Twenty-Third Publications. In retirement he served on the adjunct faculty of the IPS at Loyola Chicago where he taught grad level courses in pastoral theology and helped guide their Certificate in Pastoral Ministry in the UK.
Bill has published some twenty-five books on pastoral theology and spirituality, including the very popular In the Presence of Holy Mystery: A Contemporary View of Belief & Prayer for Christians in the Modern World and its companion, Hearing the Echo Within—morning, midday, evening, and nighttime prayer in a three week cycle—a gender-inclusive blend of Ignatian discernment, Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, and the Liturgy of the Hours.
He writes in an ecumenical spirit and leaves his readers profoundly inspired. He believes that speaking and writing in plain English (y tambien en español sencillo) helps folks understand the vocabulary of pastoral ministry. He brings humor and hope to his presentations and provides people with practical tools for ministry! He lives with his family in St. Paul, Minnesota and they belong to St Cecilia Parish.
Registration is requested for planning purposes. A $20 suggested donation to help cover costs may be paid at the door or online.
We are happy to be able to offer a live Zoom link to those who are unable to attend this event in person. Please request the zoom link when you register.