Meg Sumner, Spiritual Director

Embodied spirituality is something I am seeking to grow and hold space for both personally and those I meet with. This book was a FANTASTIC read!

What you don’t see in my photo is all the underlining and high lightening that I have done.
I read this slowly – to be respectful to let the word sink deeper within me. There is a lot of wisdom to chew on.

Thanks for giving us this good work!

Have you read this? What was one gem you took away?

Helping people listen to their body, mind, and spirit is a core value in the work I do. If you are working to have a more embodied faith, a faith that holds space for your body, emotions and mind, I would be happy to walk along side you.

If you are curious about how the Divine can communicate to you through your body, I would be privileged to join that journey with you.

To read about my other 3 core values, check out my website. :)

In my childhood faith tradition, I picked up that God cared and communicated to me only through my mind, and maybe my soul. I absorbed that my body shouldn’t be trusted and not listened to.
I now see that the Divine communicates yes, through our minds, but also equally through our bodies.

As author Hillary McBride says, “now I see that the Holy is very much here – my body is a sanctuary, a mobile home of the Divine.”

It’s holy work to ask you body what it is saying to you today.

This album is currently in my ear buds. Have you listened to it? If so, I'd love to know what your favorite song is!

Sometimes the greatest gift of meeting with a spiritual director is to allow someone else to listen and discern your ordinary life with you.

More details of what could take place are on my website (link in bio). Love to listen and co-discern alongside you.

Go for a walk today. Take note of what you are drawn too. Maybe take a photo or just ponder for a minute asking God, “what is about this part of nature that has captured my eye?” See if God responds.

Or, download Porter’s Gate new album called “Climate Vigil Songs” and listen to the description of nature and worship in the words. Give thanks for what you see, as a gift given from a very good God.

As I mentioned in my previous post, we have been at this week. If summer camp was or is formational for you or those you love, might I encourage you to send a donation?

Camps have been struggling due to 2 years of pandemic restrictions, and now with gas and food prices higher they all could use a bit of extra love to keep the awesome work that they are doing.
I’d love for you to give to Camp Bob (www.campbob.ca/donate) or give to a camp of your choice. I know it would be such an encouragement to the staff mid-season.

*Remember that even an email telling them that you are praying and seeing the hard work they are doing can be such a source of support!

This week my husband Brad and I are at on Vancouver Island. Brad will be speaking and I hope to be able to encourage staff and be with campers that could maybe use a bit of extra love.

I think summer camp is a sacred place. God moves in summer camp in unique ways. It’s a unique environment where everyone belongs, has fun, and staff is on a clear purpose to love kids well.
Its also a place where you are constantly reminded of God – the nature you are surrounded in, the speaker, your tent counsellors, the camps you play, and the songs you sing. Even when you don’t know God you have those around you showing you and drawing your curiosity to those places.
I am a firm believe that God made us for community and it’s in community that we are formed.

So, I’m packing my bug spray and hoping to partner well with what God is already doing at camp.

Did you go to summer camp as a kid or teen? Was it a formational experience?

I was lucky enough to have lots of people who showed me God and taught me about God.

My mom showed me that to draw close to God you just need to be available. I still remember her bible and notebook with a pen that had many colors ready for her next morning with God.
My dad showed me God in the way he cared for others. He was attentive to those in the world that lives could be eased with some attention and love – the hands and feet of Jesus.

My youth group and summer camp showed me that God has given me gifts that were unique to me. Both of these areas also gave me a place to try them out and affirmed them.

How about you?

This week’s recommendation is a planner.

To build rhythms and routines to be spiritually formed require a plan and intention. A planner is a simple way to start these new rhythms and routines in a way you already schedule other activities you do.

Simply make an appointment to: mediate, jot down things you are thankful for, call a friend, sit with scripture, go to church, or take a walk with the Divine (to name a few).

How does building these types of activities draw your attention back to God? What do you notice after you do them?