April Newsletter

Easter this year was overcast in Ireland. It was cool and a little blowy. It was muted and undramatic. Yet, it was an Easter where I sensed the slow growth of new life, the gradual blooming of hope for a new future. 

As you may have heard in the news, it’s been a big month for Northern Ireland. It was a time of remembering the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago, marking the progress made since then, recognizing the progress still needed, and celebrating the chance to recommit to building peace in this place. Many dignitaries popped in to Belfast – Biden, the Clintons, George Mitchell, Joe Kennedy III, Prime Ministers past and present, Irish Taoiseachs (Prime Ministers) past and present. And many, many individuals and organizations who did the painstaking work of building a more peaceful society on a daily basis came together to celebrate how far we’ve come, and to look towards our future together.

Amid marking this significant anniversary, we also went about our rhythms of Holy Week and Easter, the story of emerging from the Troubles intersecting with the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The high profile events were significant, but it was the far more subtle moments that were the most poignant for me. Sitting in the Croí (the worship space at Corrymeela) with long-time members and peace builders, washing each other’s hands on Maundy Thursday. Gathering for a brief liturgy on Good Friday, recognizing our culpability in the cruelties of this world. Taking an hour to be in Holy Silence on Holy Saturday with a handful of Bless My Feet friends. Singing Hallelujahs in a candle-lit space on Easter morning, and then watching children hunt exuberantly for eggs. Walking with the family on a cloudy Easter afternoon, with the yellow gorse smelling of coconut and newborn lambs racing through open fields. 

TV, radio, dignitaries, large audiences, historic gatherings – these were all exciting to be involved with, to hear about, and to know were happening close to home. But it was the muted moments, the quiet reflections, the spacious silences, the tender memories, the small acts of faith that brought me a deep hope for the future. It was in these ways that I came in touch with the slow growth of new life, and the gradual blooming of a new future. 

Kiran

Thought for the Day, Radio Ulster

Last month, I was invited to be a part of the rotation of faith leaders in Northern Ireland who offer what’s called a “Thought for the Day.” These thoughts are broadcast at around 7:30am as a brief interlude amid whatever news the day brings. My prerecorded “thoughts” were surrounded by news both mundane and monumental: road construction, a tragic school shooting, Biden’s visit, and Easter. They’re two and a half minutes long, and if you’ve been following Bless My Feet for a while, you’ll notice some recurring themes and stories. The last thought (a new one), around women telling the story, was a way of being gently provocative in my context here, where the question of women in ministry is currently active. The Bless My Feet forum has been a good way for me to explore my thoughts, share them with you, and now I’m honored to have the opportunity to share some of those thoughts with a larger audience through Radio Ulster. 

20 March: Nights Walks

27 March: Music as Prayer

4 April: The Wisdom of Silence

13 April: Women Telling the Story

Music 

It was such a privilege to be involved this month in celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. You can view two services we were involved with, both of which were extremely moving to be a part of. 

• Maundy/Holy Thursday Service for the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement – a televised (RTE Irish national TV) service, featuring past president Mary McAleese, political and religious figures, and victims of sectarian violence 
• Recommitment at Clonard – a Service of recommitment to peacebuilding featuring diverse voices in Northern Ireland, organized by Corrymeela and held at the historic Clonard monastery in Belfast

Celtic Psalms is doing a new thing… 

After singing together for a decade, we are beginning a new chapter… Stay tuned for more soon!

Upcoming Live Performances 

Friday 2 June 2023 7:30pm – 10 Year Anniversary Concert, Black Box, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast, N. Ireland.

July 13-23, 2023 – Hymn Society of United States and Canada, Montréal, Canada and NORTHEAST TOUR… if there’s a venue where you think we should hold a concert, anywhere between New Jersey and Montréal, let me know! 

You can always check our concert page if you’re wondering where we’re performing next

Resilience Trainings

Along with a co-trainer, I will be offering trainings in the Community Resilience Model (CRM), a model out of the Trauma Resource Institute, co-founded by Elaine Miller-Karas. We have three dates and locations below, and we will be circulating further information to anyone who is interested in learning more. Please respond to this email if you’d like to be on that list. 

Belfast Monday to Tuesday, 9-10 June 2023

Corrymeela (residential) Monday to Wednesday, 25th-27th September 

Calendar for 2023-24

So many great opportunities – retreats, trainings, concerts, pilgrimage – in the coming year! See them all in one place: 

Calendar

I’d like to highlight the Resilient Spirit 5-Day Retreat/10-Day Pilgrimage in April 2024… It will features guest facilitators such as Pádraig O’Tuama, Paul Hutchinson and Sara Cook. See more on Progressive Pilgrimage’s website

Blessing for Our Journey

May the God of slow growth

fashion within us 

in the tiniest increments

the buds of new life. 

May the muted moments 

and quiet reflections

lead us gently forward

into a hopeful future. 

May the spacious silences 

and the tender memories

and the small acts of faith

make us attentive 

to the gradual blooming 

of something we have 

not yet seen – 

of what we could only dream

might be possible. 

Amen

March Newsletter

There’s something in the air this March, and I hadn’t realized it until this morning. It’s a theme that weaves together quite a few aspects of what’s going on, in my life and in the world around me. 

A few weekends ago I led a Silent Retreat at Corrymeela, and to frame the purpose of our shared silence, I spoke of silence as resistance:

“Silence – especially in a world that is fraught and struggling in so many ways, with the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, and with the approaching 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland – is crucial. It is courageous. It is countercultural. It is an act of resistance against the violent cycles and structures that dominate. Having a Silent Retreat at Corrymeela, a Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, is profound. We come together to share in sacred silence, from our different backgrounds and traditions, and together, we listen for the divine way of peace, wellbeing, wholeness, healing, hope, respect, and dignity of all people.” 

This week, Princeton Theological Seminary is holding a conference entitled “Prayer as Resistance,” and I’m glad to be involved as one of their remote spiritual directors. The conference is geared towards offering spiritual nourishment for those in justice ministries. Here’s the invitation to their annual conference (and if this speaks to you, keep your eyes peeled for next year at around this time): 

“Contemplative prayer fuels action in the world, and when it is fully rooted in God, leads to a deeper concern for social justice. Come and be empowered to consider a variety of ways in which our justice work might be anchored in the depths of God’s love for us and for our world.”

And finally, in the first episode of Season Three of Psalms for the Spirit, Martin Tel, Director of Music at Princeton Theological Seminary, speaks of the Psalms as resistance. Here’s the podcast description: 

“In this conversation…we talk about how important it is for each generation to engage with the Psalms in a way that’s meaningful to them, about the Psalms as a form of resistance and protest, about how the Psalms teach us to pray not only our own prayers but others’ prayers as well, and about the uncomfortable truth that if we are among those who benefit from unjust systems, the Psalms might actually be prayed against us.”

So, as you can see, there’s something in the air this March, and it smells a little like resistance. Resistance against cycles of violence. Resistance against injustice. Resistance against systems and structures that benefit some and not all. Resistance, also, against depletion and burnout and isolation that can be a part of the work of resistance. 

As the snow that fell in Northern Ireland in March (resisting seasonal norms, and giving us the frost we should have had in February), we look for ways to resist the predictable cycles we might fall into. And may God give us what we need – the nourishment, strength, joy, hope, and resilience – to do that work of resistance in the world. 

Kiran

Podcast 

Listen to the first episode of Season Three of Psalms for the Spirit here! I’m so excited to finally release it! 

You can subscribe to the Psalms for the Spirit newsletter and podcast page to receive emails when new episodes come out, and listen back to the 20 episodes of Seasons 1 and 2. 

Resilience Trainings

Along with a co-trainer, I will be offering trainings in the Community Resilience Model (CRM), a model out of the Trauma Resource Institute, co-founded by Elaine Miller-Karas. We have three dates and locations below, and we will be circulating further information to anyone who is interested in learning more. Please respond to this email if you’d like to be on that list. 

Belfast Friday to Saturday, 12th-13th May

Online Friday to Saturday, 9th-10th June 

Corrymeela (overnight) Tuesday to Wednesday, 26th-27th September 

Retreats 

Retreats @ Corrymeela

We have retreats scheduled through 2023-24. In my next newsletter, I’ll provide alllll the details about that. Up next: 

Resilient Spirit Retreat at Corrymeela 21-23 April – only a few spaces left on this one!

Half-Day Retreat Space at Corrymeela 20th May

Music 

Upcoming Live Performances 

You can always check our concert page if you’re wondering where we’re performing next

TOMORROW, Saturday 11 March 2023 7pm – Sligo Presbyterian Church, Ireland (the photo above is from our last concert there, back in 2018, and we’re excited for the opportunity to return!) 

Friday 2 June 2023 7:30pm – 10th Anniversary Concert, Black Box, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast, N. Ireland

July 2023 – Hymn Society of United States and Canada, Montréal, Canada

Our NEW(ish) ALBUM Celtic Psalms: May We Rise is available on DIGITAL PLATFORMS (Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, iTunes etc etc). Here it is on Spotify!

GIA Scores

We are delighted that GIA Music Publications has published beautiful full scores of all four of our Celtic Psalms albums. You can purchase hard copy books or download the scores instantly from anywhere in the world. The score for our new album, May We Rise, will be released very soon. 

Spiritual Direction

Anamchara is the old Irish term for “Spiritual Director” – though in translation it means “friend of the soul.” Though the term is often overused and misused, I love its implication that spiritual direction is about being a friend to the deepest parts of who we are. At its best, spiritual direction is a place where we feel most free to be ourselves, where we can find safety to share our journeys, and where we can listen for how God is calling us to flourish. 

Individual Spiritual Direction

I am currently taking on new spiritual directees, if you are looking for an Anamcharato walk with you on your journey. Contact me at revkiran@gmail.com for a consultation appointment and information about fees. 

*If you become a Founding Subscriber Member, you will receive three free spiritual direction sessions in thanks for your generosity. If you’re a founding member and you’d like to take advantage of this offer, please get in touch! 

Anamchara Listening Circles

In group spiritual direction, we gather the wisdom of the community in a process of prayerful listening. This is a beautiful experience that offers deep nourishment for the journey. Let me know if you would like to be a part of a listening circle of 4 peoplecommitted to listening for God’s presence and leading in your lives. 

Find my Spiritual Director profile at one of these links: 

Spiritual Directors International 

Oasis Ministries 

Monthly Retreat Spaces for Bless My Feet Community

One of the joys of the Winter Retreats was getting to know some of the people involved in this community across the globe. I’d like to continue to offer paid subscribers a monthly hour-long Retreat Space (LIVE on Zoom) on the first Saturday of the month to reflect together and listen for what’s unfolding in our lives. I will hold the next one on Saturday, the 1st of April, at 3pm Irish time. I’ll spend the hour with whoever is present, no matter what the number – Zoom link will go out soon. If you’ve been considering becoming a paid subscriber, please join us! It’s a beautiful group of fellow travelers! 

Blessing for Our Journey

May the God of resistance

against the cruel cycles 

of violence and injustice

Fill us up with the greatest resistance of all:

a love that cuts through barriers 

of estrangement and separation,

a peace that seeps deeper

than hurt and hatred, 

a mercy that shows grace to others and ourselves

even when it might not be deserved, 

and a kindness that paves a way forward

into a future that holds

healing and hope and wholeness

for all. 

Amen

January 2023 Newsletter

As you probably know by now, I’ve been paying lots of attention to the cycles of darkness and light this winter. 

Back in November, I set the intention of befriending the darkness – not viewing it with dread, not avoiding it, but stepping out into it and reveling in its unique beauty. In December, the darkness deepened and I turned into even more of a creature of the night – at first because of my delightful night walks, and then because I caught Covid. For much of that month, my face barely saw the daylight. I took night walks more to avoid passing on Covid than to appreciate the night sky. The low stimulation of darkness settled over me, bringing my energy levels down with it, and I began to truly long for the light to return. Once January came around, I began to awaken slowly to a brightening world – to welcome the dawn. Throughout this month, I’ve sought out daytime walks and relished the colors around me. I’ve soaked up the energy of newness and possibility. 

Looking back on that journey, I realize the importance of both the darkness and the light. This year was the first when I didn’t dread the oncoming darkness, and indeed found it to hold an exhilarating beauty – but over time, my body and my spirit longed for, and needed, the light. And now, after almost a month of basking in the increased light and activity, I recognize the value of those quiet, low-energy days of December.

Within each year, these seasons replenish us without our even realizing it. The darker times lull us into rest and withdrawal – a time for rooting down, reflecting, and simply being. The brighter times coax us into action and productivity, growth and flowering. We need both the darkness and the light to flourish. 

Within each day, too, the passage from day to night, and night to day, nourishes us. At night we settle into rest and sleep, the darkness notifying our bodies that it is time to slow down for a while. And then in the morning, we wake to the light of dawn which ushers us into our full, vibrant lives. We need both the darkness and the light to flourish. 

When God created the day and the night, and called it good, was this a part of that genius? That we, and all creation, need both darkness and light? We need that cycle between low energy and high energy. We need that reprieve from productivity in the evening, and that boost of activity at dawn. 

When we lose this balance, favoring one over the other, we lose sight of the wisdom of the cycles of darkness and light. The days are growing incrementally longer, and although I’m admittedly enjoying that, I also look forward to the darkening skies at night, the coziness of evening routines, the replenishment that darkness brings, and then… waking to the possibilities of dawn once morning comes again. 

Have you ever noticed the cycles of darkness and light keeping you balanced, keeping you nourished, and replenishing you? How do both darkness and light bear gifts in your life? How do they connect you with that God-given wisdom that declares both darkness and light good? 

Kiran

Spiritual Direction

Anamchara is the old Irish term for “Spiritual Director” – though in translation it means “friend of the soul.” Though the term is often overused and misused, I love its implication that spiritual direction is about being a friend to the deepest parts of who we are. At its best, spiritual direction is a place where we feel most free to be ourselves, where we can find safety to share our journeys, and where we can listen for how God is calling us to flourish. 

Individual Spiritual Direction

I am currently taking on new spiritual directees, if you are looking for an Anamcharato walk with you on your journey. Contact me at revkiran@gmail.com for a consultation appointment and information about fees. 

*If you become a Founding Subscriber Member, you will receive three free spiritual direction sessions in thanks for your generosity. If you’re a founding member and you’d like to take advantage of this offer, please get in touch! 

Anamchara Listening Circles

In group spiritual direction, we gather the wisdom of the community in a process of prayerful listening. This is a beautiful experience that offers deep nourishment for the journey. Let me know if you would like to be a part of a listening circle of 4 peoplecommitted to listening for God’s presence and leading in your lives. 

Find my Spiritual Director profile at one of these links: 

Spiritual Directors International 

Oasis Ministries 

Monthly Retreat Spaces for Bless My Feet Community

One of the joys of the Winter Retreats was getting to know some of the people involved in this community across the globe. I’d like to continue to offer paid subscribers a monthly hour-long Retreat Space (LIVE on Zoom) on the first Saturday of the month to reflect together and listen for what’s unfolding in our lives. I will hold one this Saturday, the 4th of February, at 3pm Irish time. I’ll spend the hour with whoever is present, no matter what the number – Zoom link will go out soon. If you’ve been considering becoming a paid subscriber, please join us! It’s a beautiful group of fellow travelers! 

Subscribed

Retreats 

I’m so honored to be invited to be the keynote speaker at the Japan Women’s Conference this year. It will be held online on Saturdays March 11th, 18th and 25th, 2023 – afternoon in Japan, morning in Ireland, and there will even be a North American option too. Anyone is welcome, whether of not you have a connection to Japan! 

Registration is now open

“Sing a new song!” the Psalms invite us. These are words we have heard many times, but they take on a new meaning as we emerge from these pandemic years. At this particular point in time, with each of us beginning a new chapter, we ask ourselves afresh – what is the new song we can sing in the coming season?  

Read the full retreat description here

Retreats @ Corrymeela

There are upcoming weekend retreats at Corrymeela in February and April, and dates for October 2023, February 2024 will be released soon. I’m also offering monthly half-day retreats for anyone who would like to dip in to the retreat experience but aren’t able to come for longer periods of time. Contact welcome@corrymeela.org for more information.

Up next: 

*Silent Retreat 24-26 February 2023*

Resilient Spirit Retreat 21-23 April 2023

Resilient Spirit 5-Day Retreat/Pilgrimage April 2024

If a pilgrimage or extended retreat is something you’re longing for, mark your calendars for mid April 2024. I will be announcing details on this soon, but it is sure to be an incredible, life-changing experience. 

Winter Retreat Videos

All three hour-long retreat videos are available in the archives for paid subscribers to view at any time. 

Befriending the Darkness Retreat Video

Longing for Light Retreat Video 

Welcoming the Dawn Retreat Video

Podcast 

A new Psalms for the Spirit Episode will be out imminently! 

In the meantime, subscribe to the Psalms for the Spirit newsletter and podcast page and listen back to the 20 episodes of Seasons 1 and 2. 

 

Music

Here’s an interview I did at Redbox Studios where we’ve recorded all the Celtic Psalms albums since 2013. Oonagh Derby of Redbox was such a warm interviewer, and it was a special opportunity to talk about the background to this music, which was initially recorded during the Covid summer of 2020, and to tell the story behind one song, Love and Mercy, which has been a favorite from the new album that we’ve already sung in many concerts and services. 

Our NEW ALBUM Celtic Psalms: May We Rise is available on DIGITAL PLATFORMS(Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, iTunes etc etc). Here it is on Spotify!https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/3mpciwqFmC18qaBfCNmPNP

Upcoming Live Performances 

You can always check our concert page if you’re wondering where we’re performing next

On Sunday 29th Jan we performed at the Four Corners Festival in Belfast, N. Ireland. Listen to the event here!

Saturday 11 March 2023 7pm – Sligo Presbyterian Church, Ireland

Friday 2 June 2023 7:30pm – 10th Anniversary Concert, Belfast, N. Ireland

July 2023 – Hymn Society of United States and Canada, Montréal, Canada

GIA Scores

We are delighted that GIA Music Publications has published beautiful full scores of all four of our Celtic Psalms albums. You can purchase hard copy books or download the scores instantly from anywhere in the world. The score for our new album, May We Rise, will be released very soon. 

Leave a Comment! 

If these reflections spark a thought, please share! Press the button below and leave a comment for other Bless My Feet readers to read. This helps us build community. I’d love to hear, too! Just press this button. 

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Blessing for Our Journey

May the God of the day 

and the God of the night

awaken us to a brightening world 

of creativity and activity

of productivity and possibility, 

and then lull us back into the darkening world

of rest and replenishment

of simply being

with nothing that can or should be done. 

May we move in those 

God-given rhythms

knowing that both are good

that it is good

that we are good –

whole and loved,

when we lie down to rest

and when we wake to 

morning’s light. 

Amen

This winter I am offering a series of Winter Retreats @ Home (online via Zoom) – retreats where we will join across time zones from the comfort of our own homes to reflect, share, and find stillness together as we mark the changing of seasons. The theme of the three retreats will be “Leaning into the Cycles of Darkness and Light,” and we will draw on insights from Celtic Spirituality, resilience practices, the Psalms, and Barbara Brown Taylor’s insightful book “Learning to Walk in the Dark” as well as excerpts from the conversation she and I had on the Psalms for the Spirit podcast on the theme of leaning into the cycles of darkness and light.

The dates for these online retreats will be Saturdays 5 November, 3 December, 7 January (check the event pages for your time zone). They are a series but are also standalone, if you can only make one or two of them. Each retreat will be £20 for nonmembers and *included* with paid subscriptions to Bless My Feet.

NOVEMBER RETREAT

Befriending the Darkness: 5 Nov 2022

In this hemisphere, early November is a time when we move into the darkest season of the year, and it is a time that fills some with dread. Yet, how can we embrace this darker season and find gifts within it? We will explore together how we might befriend the darkness and find the gifts that lie within it.

DECEMBER RETREAT

Longing for Light: 3 Dec 2022

December is a time of aniticipation and celebration, but it is also a time when we become deeply aware of our longings – for light, for joy, for peace, for hope – but sometimes it’s difficult to allow space for those longings in the midst of this festive season. As we immerse ourselves more fully into the darker season of the year, we listen for what those longings might be telling us as wait for the light that is on its way. We will explore together how we might tend to our longings when we may not be able to see the way forward.

JANUARY RETREAT

Welcoming the Dawn: 7 Jan 2023

January is a time of new beginnings, when the light increases each day and exciting plans are in the works for the coming year. As we emerge from the darker, cosier season, the year ahead can also look daunting, challenging, and overwhelming. In these early days of the New Year, we take time to welcome the newness of whatever is dawning in our lives, and to find acceptance, strength, peace and joy as we move into what lies ahead. We will explore together how we might welcome the return of light as a part of the natural cycle of seasons that we experience each year.

~ ~ ~

The dates for these online retreats will be Saturdays 5 November, 3 December, 7 January (check the event pages for your time zone). They are a series but are also standalone, if you can only make one or two of them. Each retreat will be £20 for nonmembers and *included* with paid subscriptions to Bless My Feet. To find out more, click the image or link below.

September Newsletter

There is something very touching about this time of year. Here on the north coast of Ireland I find this to be one of the most beautiful seasons, when the days remain surprisingly warm and the sun shines more often that you’d expect. In my garden the verbena waves its long stems with its unearthly purple buds, the hollyhocks climb higher and higher, and even the morning glories still peak shyly out to catch the last rays of sun before the darker, colder days of winter set in. Every time I walk to the back of my garden, where these flowers still grace us with their presence, I’m filled with a thankful awe at their late season blooms. 

That concept captures where I am in other aspects of life, too, and maybe that’s why I find it touching. As I enter more firmly into the “middle” of my life, I look out at my remaining years and think: what will bloom in the coming decades? What beauty, color, vibrancy will emerge in this second half of my life? What late arrivals will surprise and delight? As I transition into this new midlife phase, it becomes clearer to me that we must treasure the gifts we have in our midst – while they are here, while we are here.

So I move into this new season feeling immensely grateful for my family, my home, my work, my collaborators, my various communities of support and friendship, while also being keenly aware of the fragility of life as we know it. The autumn winds are most certainly blowing their way through these days, reminding me that we are on the verge of transition.

And what this does, ultimately, is make me not want to waste another moment. No more holding back, waiting for a better time. Like that shy morning glory, I want to poke my head out and say hello to the world, even though it has taken a while to have the courage to do so. Like that hollyhock, I want to keep climbing, growing, reaching for the sky, regardless of the autumnal winds that threaten to topple. Like those verbena, I want to sway gloriously in the winds of change, without a care in the world. It may be late in the season, but it’s not too late. The time to bloom is now. 

What blooms are you seeing at this stage in your life? Are you seeing surprising gifts unfold that you didn’t expect? Is there anything within you that needs a little encouragement to show itself to the world? 

~ Kiran

Upcoming Retreats

There are so many retreats coming up that I’d like to let you know about! Some are in person, and some are virtual. Either way, I really hope to connect with you in these upcoming retreat spaces. 

Retreats @ Corrymeela

I will be leading weekend retreats in October 2022, February 2023, and April 2023, and we’ve set dates for October 2023 and February 2024 too. I’m also excited to announce that I’ll also be offering monthly half-day retreats at Corrymeela for anyone who would like to dip in to the retreat experience but aren’t able to come for longer periods of time. Contact welcome@corrymeela.org for more information, or click on the link below. 

Weekend retreats @ Corrymeela 

Half-day Retreat Spaces @ Corrymeela

Retreats @ Home (Online)

Because I love the global community that the internet allows, and because I still enjoy the idea of gathering in the comfort of our own homes even if it’s on Zoom, this winter I am offering a series of Winter Retreats @ Home – retreats where we will join from across time zones from the comfort of our own homes to reflect, share, find stillness together as we mark the changing of seasons. The theme of the three retreats will be “Leaning into the Cycles of Darkness and Light,” and will reference Barbara Brown Taylor’s book “Learning to Walk in the Dark” as well as the podcast conversation we had back in 2021.

The dates for these online retreats will be Saturdays 5 November, 3 December, 7 January (check the event pages for your time zone). They are a series but are also standalone, if you can only make one or two of them. Each retreat will be £20 for nonmembers and *included* with paid subscriptions to Bless My Feet. If you’ve been wondering whether to become a member, maybe this is a good chance to do that. 

Befriending the Darkness: Winter Retreats @ Home (online), 5 Nov 2022

Longing for Light: Winter Retreats @ Home (online), 3 Dec 2022

Welcoming the Dawn: Winter Retreats @ Home (online), 7 Jan 2023

Retreats @ Belfast

I would like to set up retreat spaces in Belfast – let me know if this appeals and I will keep you posted.

Upcoming Resilient Spirit Pilgrimage April 2024

If a pilgrimage or extended retreat is something you’re longing for, mark your calendars for mid April 2024. I will be announcing details on this soon, but it is sure to be an incredible, life-changing experience. Please let me know if this is something you would be interested in by responding to this email. 

Upcoming Psalms for the Spirit Podcast Episodes

I’m delighted to say that there are new episodes of Psalms for the Spirit afoot. I’ve learned so much from these conversations and I hope you have too, if you’ve had a chance to dip in. If you’d like to listen to the 20 episodes of Seasons 1 and 2, check out the podcast page.

New Album and Upcoming Concerts

Speaking of our new Celtic Psalms album, it’s available for purchase through our website where you can also purchase our three previous albums. 

Here in Northern Ireland, Celtic Psalms held a concert on 9 September at St. John’s Church on the Falls Road in West Belfast in aid of the Suicide Awareness and Support Group, on the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day. It was an occasion to allow space for lament and loss, and we were also pleasantly surprised at the joy that emerged through people coming together around an important cause, with soulful melodies, harmonies and words, and a cup of tea afterwards. We raised nearly £1300 for the support group. 

Singing Engagements Coming Up:

• Friday 7 October at 7pm we will be supporting Ruth Patterson (a previous podcast guest), in her book launch at St Bride’s Parish Hall, South Belfast 
• Sunday 6 November at 3pm we will be participating in a liturgy marking the threshold between one season and the next, held in North Belfast. 
• Friday 18 November at 8pm we will be holding a concert at Cahans Church in Co. Monaghan

You can keep up with Celtic Psalms news and frequent posts on our Facebook page

That’s all the news for now… scroll down for this month’s blessing ~

Blessing for Our Journey

May the God of late season blooms

show us how to bloom in this season

when the light begins to fade

and the winds begin to change

and the world around us begins to die away. 

May we let our colors shine

and our blossoms flourish

and our faces radiate 

even as the light decreases

even as the darkness enfolds.

May we bloom 

courageously,

holding nothing back

releasing all care or concern

and simply being

our most flourishing selves

and treasure the gifts 

while they are here

while we are here.

Amen

17th September 2022 (online) 2-4pm Ireland/UK time

Join me in setting aside an afternoon for retreat space – an essential spiritual practice that can build resilience in our lives. These two hours will allow space for contemplative quiet, meditative music, prompts for reflection, group sharing, suggestions for prayer, and opportunities for writing or artistic expression. 

Register for this Retreat Space here

Time zones:

2-4pm Ireland/UK time

9-11am Eastern time

8-10am Central time

6-8am Pacific time

Summer Newsletter

This time of year in Ireland is almost blindingly bright, all the time. I went for a Solstice swim a few mornings ago and it was broad daylight at 4:30am. Could have been 10am, could have been 10pm… 

The days are bright and the world around us is bursting to life. Growth along the side of the coast road I walk on is flourishing. The photos above shows the bramble berry flowers coming out, which in due time will trade places with ripe, dark fruit which my kids and I will collect to make cobbler. Everything is thriving – most of all the weeds, which I have no hope of staying on top of this year. The perennial flowers I planted last year are coming into their own again, and the annual seeds I put in the ground a few months ago are beginning to take shape and fill the flower beds, already getting unruly. 

And the rest of the world, too, seems to be zipping along in fruitfulness and productiveness. We’re done with rest and quiet and withdrawal. We’re emerging from our seedbeds and bursting forth into the world, following the bright daylight, reaching towards the sky. We want to be out and about, to interact with others, to be involved and engaged, to flourish and thrive. 

As I myself have been drawn towards the light, towards growth, towards creativity and productivity, I’m trying to remind myself to keep my roots nourished as well. Without healthy roots, nothing can thrive. The first song on our new Celtic Psalms album is based on Psalm 1, and the refrain goes: “They are like the trees grown in flowing streams; their leaves will not wither, their fruits are very sweet. In all that they do, they will flourish and thrive; their delight is in the love of God.”

Remembering to keep our roots healthy is essential not only to our survival but also to our flourishing. How can we be our best selves? It is by staying close to our our source of strength and life. By drawing near to our Creator, who loves us. By drawing from that overflowing stream of goodness and kindness, gentleness and compassion. And it is there that we will find true delight. It is there that we will truly thrive. 

May you keep your roots watered by the source of life, and find true delight there. 

Kiran

Summer 2022 and Beyond

Celtic Psalms Northeast US Tour 1-17 July 2022 

After two years without any live concerts, we are delighted to finally be able to sing together in public again, and as we are also releasing our new album Celtic Psalms: May We Rise, we thought it was the right time to plan another tour. If you are anywhere between DC and Boston, please check out our concert schedule (see above). Our Celtic Psalms Facebook page will have up-to-date information along the way, as well as some links for live streaming, photos etc, if you’d like journey with us a little!

New album

Celtic Psalms: May We Rise – Our new album is out! If you’d like to purchase mp3s of the songs or one of the limited number of Cds, go to www.celticpsalms.com. As many of you know, it meant a lot to me to be able to record and work on this album during the Covid period. I really hope you enjoy it, and that it brings you healing and hope as it did for me.

Upcoming Retreats

See below the dates and themes of three retreats I will be leading at Corrymeela in the coming year (2022-23 Oct, Feb, Apr). All the retreats are open to people from a variety of religious and spiritual backgrounds. If you’ve been dreaming of a chance to come to Ireland and find some spiritual refreshment, inspiration or enrichment, maybe this is your chance! I’d love to see you there. Contact welcome@corrymeela.org for enquiries and bookings

Stillness in Community Retreat

14–16 October 2022 (*Early bird rate if you book by Friday the 15th of July)

In this retreat we follow of rhythm of silence and gathering, finding stillness in the midst of community. As the pace of daily life picks up following these pandemic years, it is vital for our wellbeing that we find ways to quiet ourselves long enough to hear our own voice, and God’s voice in our lives. Even in the busiest of times, we can develop skills to centre ourselves, pay attention to what is going within us, and listen for where we are being drawn in the days ahead. This retreat will be marked by times for gathering as a community for sharing, prayer, and creative expression, while setting aside time and space for silence. Our living space, the Davey Village, will be set aside for intentional silence and gatherings, and our meals will be held in the Main House as we link in with the community life at Corrymeela. This retreat is open to people from a variety of religious and spiritual backgrounds. Contact welcome@corrymeela.org for enquiries and bookings

Silent Retreat

24–26 February 2023

This retreat offers a space to be in silence alongside gathered community. In silence, we take the time to still the swirl of daily life and really listen, deeply, to what’s going on under the surface. We listen to ourselves – to our own voices, needs, pains, grief, longings and hopes for the future. And we listen to what God might be saying to us and leading us into. In our silence, we accompany each other in our journeys and support one another. Many of us have endured too much silence in the past few years, and others haven’t experienced enough of it. But this shared silence is sacred, and by entering this retreat experience, we help create the space in which one another can be renewed and restored. Silence crosses many barriers, and this retreat is open to people from a variety of religious or spiritual backgrounds. Contact welcome@corrymeela.orgfor enquiries and bookings

Resilient Spirit Retreat

21–23 April 2023

What keeps our spirits resilient, even in times of upheaval? The past few years have challenged us, and we have also found resilience within ourselves. This retreat offers space for reflection and sharing as we explore together what helps us build resilience in our daily lives – what lifts our spirits? What brings us balance? What offers us hope? Through the spacious rhythm of retreat, we learn more about what gives us life, energy, and wellbeing, so that we can return to our full lives restored and renewed. We have all endured the upheaval of the pandemic, and we have also discovered that we are resilient. We accompany each other on this journey, supporting and inspiring one another as we pay attention to what is life–giving, so that we might live more fully in the world. Contact welcome@corrymeela.org for enquiries and bookings

Bless My Feet Summer Break

I’m sure we all need some time to recalibrate this summer, so I will be taking a break from regular posts this summer. I’ll be focusing on creating and producing while on tour, and then tapping into some nourishment for my roots – in the form of time with family, rest, reading lots of fiction, talking long walks, letting my mind drift aimlessly, and simply being. I hope you have a beautiful summer, and I wish for you a sense of delight as you root yourself in what nourishes you. I will write again when the season begins to shift towards the “new year” of September and let you know what I have in mind for Bless My Feet in the coming year. 

Blessing for Our Journey

May the God of flowing streams 

of goodness and kindness

gentleness and compassion

flow through our roots

and through our whole selves

as we create and produce

as we engage and interact

as we reach for the sky. 

May we flourish and thrive 

as our roots connect us

to the everlasting source

of strength

of life

of delight.

Amen