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My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. History of Racial Compromise As we honor Black and African American history, we recognize a lineage of faith, courage, and creativity that has shaped our communities, our culture, and our shared spiritual landscape. These stories testify to the power of endurance and the transformative strength of hope… born through artistry, resistance, and collective memory in the face of oppression. They are living legacies, not relics of the past, calling us to witness honestly, learn deeply, and move forward with both humility and determination. We invite you to approach these curated resources as a doorway into the wisdom, insight, and spiritual depth of Black and African American elders, leaders, artists, and storytellers. May their voices guide us toward a fuller understanding of justice, liberation, and the sacred work of community care. Together, let us honor the intersections of sorrow and joy, struggle and triumph, remembrance and renewal, as we walk the cruciform path of Christ… one that honors healing, liberation, redemption, and love. Black History In 2 Minutes Listen ASALH Read More Equal Justice Initiative Read More Black Past Read More How America Invented Race Listen Sojourner Truth African Heritage Read More Fortune Listen The 1619 Listen The Stony Road Listen African American Intellectual Read More Color of Compromise Listen History Channel Black History Read More

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. Honoring Indigenous & Native American Voices & Legacies As we honor Native American history and spirituality, we pause to acknowledge the sacred wisdom, resilience, and enduring contributions that have long shaped this land. Their stories are not distant echoes of the past; they live and breathe among us… testimonies of endurance, dignity, and the ongoing pursuit of justice. They ask more of us than remembrance for a single month; they call us into a lifelong posture of listening, learning, and walking with humility. We invite you to engage with these curated resources as a bridge… one that leads toward deeper understanding and embodied, meaningful action within your community. May we honor the voices of Native elders, storytellers, and wisdom keepers who continue to guide us toward a more just and compassionate way of being. Together, let us hold space for both sorrow and joy, for grief and gratitude, for remembrance and renewal, as we walk the sacred path of justice, healing, and reconciliation... the cruciform way of Christ. Native Governance Center Native Land Digital PBS | How to Honor Indigenous Peoples with Your Kids 'We the People' by Mark Charles Eloheh The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition Resources for Teaching About Indigenous Peoples Canadian Indigenous Ministry Committee The Red Road Resilience is My Reality as an Indigenous Woman Native American Ethnobotany Heritage & Hope | Listening to Native American Christian Voices Navajo Code Talkers of WWII | Full Movie Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America How Native American Code Talkers Pioneered a New Type of Military Intelligence | Article Native Arts and Culture Foundation Hear the Untold Story of a Canadian Code Talker from World War II | Short Film Showcase Native American Ground Work Reads | Download Groundwork Reads

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This page reveals the obvious and subtle ways the American church has compromised what the Bible teaches about human dignity and equality. These resources expose concrete and chilling ways people of faith have actively worked against racial justice, as well as the deafening silence of the white evangelical majority. While there has been progress in fighting racism, historically most of the American church has failed to speak out against this evil. Build a World of Justice & Righteousness The Color of Compromise The Color of Compromise Video Study Extended Trailer The Color of Compromise takes readers on a historical journey: from America’s early colonial days through slavery and the Civil War, covering the tragedy of Jim Crow laws and the victories of the Civil Rights era, to today’s Black Lives Matter movement. Author Jemar Tisby reveals the obvious, and the far more subtle, ways the American church has compromised what the Bible teaches about human dignity and equality. He exposes the concrete and chilling ways people of faith have actively worked against racial justice, as well as the deafening silence of the white evangelical majority. He shows that while there has been progress in fighting racism, historically most of the American church has failed to speak out against this evil. This ongoing complicity is a stain upon the church, and sadly, it continues today. The Color of Compromise provides an accurate diagnosis for a racially divided American church and suggests creative ways to foster a more equitable and inclusive environment among God’s people. RACE: The Power of an Illusion The Power of an Illusion questions the very idea of race as innate biology, suggesting that a belief in inborn racial difference is no more sound than believing that the sun revolves around the earth. Episode 1: The Difference Between Us examines the contemporary science, including genetics, that challenges our commonsense assumptions that human beings can be bundled into three or four fundamentally different groups according to their physical traits. Episode 2: The Story We Tell uncovers the roots of the race concept in North America, the 19th century science that legitimated it, and how it came to be held so fiercely in the western imagination. The episode is an eye-opening tale of how race served to rationalize, even justify, American social inequalities as "natural." Episode 3: The House We Live In asks, If race is not biology, what is it? This episode uncovers how race resides not in nature but in politics, economics and culture. It reveals how our social institutions "make" race by disproportionately channeling resources, power, status and wealth to white people. Freedom Road by Lisa Sharon Harper Slavery, the Church, and Christianity by Lisa Sharon Harper Tells the Truth Lisa Sharon Harper, former chief church engagement officer of Sojourners in Washington DC and prolific writer, speaker, and grass-tops organizer, founded Freedom Road in 2017 and set out to assemble an equally prolific and diverse team of leading experts, advocates and trainers dedicated to shrinking The Narrative Gap, as coined by Lisa Sharon Harper, in our nation. Through the power of story, the Freedom Road consulting group identifies your community’s core issues and strengthen its capacity to build a just world together. Our team works with faith communities, non-profits, academic institutions and the business sector. At the intersections of faith, race, gender, economic development and environmental justice, we custom design strategic forums, trainings, and transformational experiences that build your community’s capacity for collective engagement toward a more just world. Be the Bridge Founder and President Latasha Morrison: We exist to empower people and culture toward racial healing, equity and reconciliation. Our vision is that people and organizations are aware and respond to the racial brokenness and systemic injustice in our world. That we are no longer conditioned by a racialized society but are grounded in truth. That all are equipped to flourish. We build our bridges with three Piles, a foundation to carry the weight of this work. We inspire people to have a distinctive and transformative response to racial division and to be present and intentional toward racial reconciliation. We equip bridge-builders toward fostering and developing the vision, skills, and heart for racial healing. We partner with existing organizations who have a heart for racial justice, restoration, and reconciliation. Through the Eyes of Color Unspoken The vision of the Ministry encompasses apologetics that address current issues and the intellectual struggles of Christians of African descent in the United States and abroad. We are committed to equipping the local Church that the mandate of Jude 1:3 might be fulfilled, contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. The Unspoken documentary is an in-depth look into the Christian heritage of Africa and people of African descent, intended to dispel the notion of Christianity being an exclusively white man’s religion. Sankofa: A Journey Toward Racial Righteousness Sankofa Impact Sankofa is a word from the Akan tribe in Ghana. It means San (to return), ko (to go) fa (to fetch, seek, and take). The bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg off its back embodies Sankofa’s meaning. Sankofa attests that we must look backwards (into our history), before we can faithfully move forward together, in the present and future. The Sankofa experience does just this, by exploring historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement, connecting the freedom struggle of the past, to our present realities. Sankofa is an invitation to understand race as a critical component of our Christian discipleship. It is an interactive, spiritual formation, pilgrimage that equips Christians to pursue racial righteousness inside and outside the church. This relational journey traces the history of race in the U.S., and tangibly equips believers to begin living into the church’s mission to be ambassadors of reconciliation. United Methodist North Carolina Conference Anti-Racism Resources The North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church is committed to anti-racism through discipleship, leadership development, congregational transformation, and advocacy for systemic change. By equipping individuals and communities with resources, training, and action steps, NCCUMC fosters courageous conversations, healing, and justice-centered ministry. CORE: Community Organization for Racial Equity Communities Organizing for Racial Equity (formerly CORR) has been providing Christ-centered anti-racism training for organizations and churches in the West Michigan community and beyond for over 20 years. We seek to pursue our God-sized vision of individuals, churches, and institutions discipled through a robust theology of justice, equipped for life-long biblical antiracism and pursuing shalom together as the beloved community. Racial Justice and Unity Center Faithful Antiracism by Christian Edmondson & Chad Brennan The Racial Justice and Unity Center (RJUC), facilitated by Renew Partnerships, is a Christian ministry dedicated to helping churches, leaders, and communities reflect the justice and unity of God’s kingdom. Grounded in Scripture and guided by the call of Jesus to love, peacemaking, and reconciliation, RJUC equips believers to recognize and address the realities of racial division through biblically based training, coaching, and assessment tools. Their work is informed by one of the largest research projects on racial dynamics in U.S. Christianity, ensuring both theological depth and practical application. With a focus on discipleship rather than divisive partisanship, RJUC invites the body of Christ into Spirit-led action that fosters healing, equity, and lasting unity. Undivided BEGINS WITH U Activating communities for racial healing and justice. What if engagement over diversity became a catalyst for increasing revenue and belonging in your workplace? Studies report racial segregation in U.S. workplaces is greater today than in the 1970s. Studies also demonstrate that diverse and psychologically safe work environments produce better outcomes. WorkingUNDIVIDED is a breakthrough program developed by the team at UNDIVIDED, Inc. What Can We Do? View More > Groundwork Reads

Inviting one's self on the pathway of the restorative cycle of life and embracing it as a way of life by engaging in healthy spiritual and emotional practices that heal and repair one's soul and spirit. REMEMBERING invites us to gently journey into the landscape of our past... our stories, our ancestral roots, and the movements of grace and struggle that shaped us. With compassion rather than judgment, we look back and listen. In this sacred remembering, we uncover a spiritual heritage that holds both pain and promise. What we remember with care can become wisdom. What we honor can begin to heal. This remembering grounds us, helping us discern what was, notice what is, and make room for what longs to be restored... within ourselves, our communities, and across generations. RECLAIMING ONE’S STORY is an act of courage, dignity, and belonging. It is the decision to see our lived experiences as sacred ground... places where God has never stopped dwelling or working. As we name what has been lost, silenced, or overlooked, we reclaim what was always ours: our God-given identity, voice, and worth. This reclamation restores our capacity for trust and love, nurtures authenticity, and invites us into a deeper, more honest walk with God... where renewal is not forced, but received, and wholeness is allowed to take root. REFINING ONE’S SOUL is a necessary and compassionate practice for both personal and communal transformation. Our souls require ongoing tending... spaces to reflect, to notice our untethered instincts, and to hold our limitations without shame. Refinement is not punishment; it is the Spirit’s gentle tilling of the soil within us. Over time, this sacred work forms hearts that embody love in action and live with a growing awareness of our life in God. As our instincts come into harmony with God’s care, our relationships... with God, others, ourselves, and creation... begin to flourish in grace. This refining work leads us toward inner liberation, empowering us to meet life with courage and compassion, and to participate faithfully in God’s redemptive story as people shaped by hope and steadfast love. REBUILDING MOVEMENT reminds us that healing is not only spiritual, it is embodied. Through rhythms of rest, stretching, walking, and mindful presence, we return to the wisdom of our bodies and God’s design for renewal. These practices gently repair the inner pathways worn thin by stress, grief, and survival. In movement, we relearn the grace of being alive... grounded, attentive, and responsive to the Spirit’s rhythm of restoration. RESILIENCE grows over time. It is not the absence of struggle, but the strength formed by staying rooted in God’s faithfulness when life feels uncertain. Resilience steadies our hope and teaches us how to recover with integrity and compassion. As it deepens, it restores our inner freedom, awakens new possibilities, and renews our vision for living in just and loving connection... with God, with others, and with all of creation.

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. Monasteries & Retreat Centers Prince of Peace Abbey Saint Andrew's Abbey Serra Retreat Mary & Joseph Retreat Center Passionist Retreat Center New Camaldoli Hermitage Suggest a Retreat Center Suggest a Retreat Center Sanctuaries of Renewal

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. Frequently Asked Questions (Power, Privilege, Profit, & Liberation in the Way of Jesus) These questions come up often because people are trying to be faithful, honest, and grounded in real life. Many of us were taught to love God and love our neighbors, yet we’ve also inherited stories, systems, and experiences that don’t always line up well. When words like power, privilege, profit, racism, or class enter the conversation, it can feel confusing, personal, or even threatening... especially when our own lived experiences don’t seem to match what we’re hearing. These questions are not signs of resistance or bad faith; they are signs of people wanting coherence between Scripture, daily life, and the way of Jesus. This space exists to gently slow the conversation down, honor context, and explore how Jesus speaks to the realities we are all navigating... together, with humility and care. Racism doesn't exist. Collapsible text is great for longer section titles and descriptions. It gives people access to all the info they need, while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, or set your text box to expand on click. Write your text here...

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. The Faith I Share The faith I share is rooted in an ancient confession, written some three centuries after the birth of Jesus... an Affirmation of Faith meant to draw hearts and minds toward the foundational truths that unite us: belief in God*, Jesus Christ* , and the Holy Spirit*. Across generations, these words have been spoken in many Christian communities, offering a steady rhythm of hope and belonging. Yet, even as they remind us of our shared foundation, we recognize that divisions still wound the body of Christ. This Affirmation of Faith gently calls us back... back to the heart of what has the power to bridge our differences and awaken a shared vision of God’s reconciling love. It invites us to hold fast to the living hope we find in Jesus, a hope that transcends the boundaries often drawn by human systems and empire theologies. Just as God’s creation flourishes in radiant diversity... each culture, language, and people bearing its own beauty... we remember that all things, in their time, find their harmony and wholeness in Christ. I believe in God* the One who holds all things together, the Source of life, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus the Christ* God’s beloved Son, our companion and Redeemer. Conceived by the Holy Spirit’s power, born into the world through Mary’s courage, He entered our human story with love. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into the depths of death and sorrow, yet on the third day, He rose again... a sign that love cannot be overcome. He ascended into the mystery of heaven and rests in communion with God, from where He will come again, restoring justice and mercy among the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit*... God’s breath still moving through creation, forming one sacred family of faith*. In the Spirit we are joined with all who have gone before us... the communion of saints, the gift of forgiveness, the promise of resurrection, and the life that has no end. Amen. God God, the One who holds all things together... is both strength and tenderness, mystery and intimacy. The Source of all life, God creates and sustains heaven and earth through boundless love (Genesis 1:1-2; Colossians 1:16-17). Scripture reveals God as Father and Mother, a Presence who comforts as a mother comforts her child (Isaiah 66:13) and who shepherds with steadfast care (Psalm 23:1-4; John 10:11). This Divine Love shapes us in wisdom and compassion, calling us to live in harmony with creation and with one another (Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:9). Made in the Image of God To be made in the image of God is to bear the reflection of Divine Love... a love that is both powerful and nurturing. Within each person lives the capacity for strength, creativity, tenderness, and mercy (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-14). God’s image is not limited by gender, culture, or language; rather, it is revealed through the fullness of humanity. In Scripture, Wisdom (Sophia) calls with a woman’s voice, guiding and sustaining life (Proverbs 8:1-3, 22-31). The Spirit, whose name Ruach or Rukha is feminine in Hebrew and Aramaic, breathes comfort and renewal into weary hearts (John 14:26; Romans 8:26). Jesus, too, speaks in maternal imagery, longing to gather his people “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Luke 13:34). These passages remind us that Divine Love is both fatherly and motherly... forming, restoring, and drawing us deeper into belonging (Hosea 11:3-4; Psalm 103:13). Jesus the Christ Jesus, our Redeemer, was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth... among the humble and overlooked rather than the powerful or privileged (Luke 2:4-7; John 1:46). As a child, he fled violence and lived as a refugee in Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15). As a first-century Jewish man under Roman occupation, he entered the world without civil standing yet embodied God’s liberating presence among the people (Philippians 2:5-8). Through his life, teachings, death, and resurrection, Jesus revealed the heart of God’s justice and mercy. His words on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and his proclamation in Nazareth (Luke 4:14-21; Isaiah 61:1-3) invite us to love God wholly, love our neighbors as ourselves, and participate in the renewal of creation (Deuteronomy 6:4-12; Matthew 22:34-40; Acts 2:42). In his suffering, Jesus stood with the persecuted and the weary... with the faithful Church of Smyrna and the enduring Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 2:8-11; 3:7-13), showing that even in weakness, Divine strength prevails (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). The risen Christ walks beside us still, the Good Shepherd leading us into truth, healing, and liberation (John 10:14-16; Luke 24:30-32). Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is God’s living breath, present and active from creation’s dawn, still moving through all that exists (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30). The Spirit comforts, renews, and guides with tender strength, interceding for us with deep compassion (John 14:16-17, 26; Romans 8:26-27). In Scripture, the Spirit is Wisdom’s voice, leading us toward justice, unity, and peace (Isaiah 11:2; Galatians 5:22-23). The Spirit forms one sacred family of faith, connecting generations past and present, the communion of saints, reminding us that God’s presence cannot be confined (Ephesians 4:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7). The Spirit is the divine rhythm of life that restores, reconciles, and breathes hope where there was none (Ezekiel 37:9-10; Titus 3:5-6). The Holy Catholic Church The Holy Catholic Church, meaning the universal body of Christ, embraces all who believe in Jesus across time, culture, and tradition (Ephesians 4:4-6; Galatians 3:28). The word “catholic” is not found in the Hebrew or Aramaic Scriptures; it comes from the Greek katholikos, meaning “universal” or “of the whole.” In the traditional creed, it does not refer to the Roman Catholic denomination, but to the worldwide fellowship of all who follow Christ. This sacred family of faith holds the beauty of diversity within unity, reflecting the Creator who delights in difference (Revelation 7:9-10). The Church exists not as an institution of power, but as a community of mercy and justice, called to embody God’s reconciling love in the world (2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Micah 6:8).

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. Light Mindfulness Practice Videos & Guides Humming Video Humming Guide Container Video Container Guide Joy & Thankfulness Video Grateful Guide Diaphragmatic Breathing Video ... The 5-4-3-2-1 Method Video The 5-4-3-2-1 Method Guide Place of Peace Video Place of Peace Guide PMR Video (Progressive Muscle Relaxation ) PMR Guide Body Scan Video Body Scan Guide Vagus Nerve Reset Video ...

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. Sorry About That. The link you clicked may be broken or the page may have been removed. Back to Homepage

Search Results 28 items found for "" Urban Wellness Living | Online Soul Care Advising Urban Wellness Living Resourcing Wellness In Community Meet Cynthia Soul Care Advisor Hello, I'm Cynthia—a soul care advocate, trauma healing facilitator, dedicated educator and an active collaborator on wellness initiatives. I'm blessed to be Doug's wife and a mother of three incredible children. Over the past 30 years, I've devoted myself to full-time urban ministry which includes mentoring, initiating micro-churches, coordinating prayer efforts, and providing guidance on member care. My passion extends to addressing issues related to generational historical trauma, God's righteousness and justice, and the whole gospel for the whole person. I focus specifically on emotional and spiritual well-being for urban workers, particularly within the framework of Black and African American spirituality and history.​ I envision vibrant urban workers experiencing transformation through a collective effort of resources that promote the well-being of an entire community. My purpose is to offer under-resourced urban areas the gift of Hope and healing through education, advocacy, health initiatives, and spiritual practices for soul care and spiritual formation. Ultimately, I desire to see more communities, genuinely united, living out of a sustainable rhythm of life and work. In the face of adversity, failures, and grief, I've become a certified Trauma Healing Facilitator through the Trauma Healing Institute. I'm also engaged in training with the Cultural Somatic Training & Institute and am pursuing my Spiritual Direction Certification through Sustainable Faith. My aspiration is to thrive within a community committed to internal and external freedom, exploring how God heals wounds caused by caste systems and systemic oppression while also examining the intersection of God's justice, mercy, and grace. Beyond my occupational endeavors, I find joy in comedy, fantasy, and action-adventure movies. I enjoy reading a good book in cozy serene natural settings, attending theater shows, camping, sharing laughter, participating in spiritual retreats, and cherishing meaningful friendships. Soul Care Advising My Soul Rhythm Why Soul Care within the Framework of Black & African American Spirituality & History? "The moan is the birthing sound, the first movement toward a creative response to oppression, the entry into the heart of contemplation through the crucible of crisis." -- Barba ra Holmes, Joy Unspeakable Why Urban Wellness Living Why Urban Wellness Living 1. Health Embrace healthy ideas, exercises, & practices to rejuvenate & strengthen the body. 4. Hope Instilling unwavering confidence to embrace pathways that inspire new beginnings & possibilities. 2. Education Providing valuable insights, nurturing knowledge for growth & cultivating renewed understanding & wisdom. 5. Advocacy Extend support for restorative peacemaking, justice, & truth-telling movements. 3. Community Love God & Love Others with humility, mercy, justice & compassion, catalyzing unity. 6. Healing Encourage spiritual & emotional healing practices to cultivate healthier life & work r hythms. “Listen to the long stillness: New life is stirring. New dreams are on the wing. New hopes are being readied: Humankind is fashioning a new heart. Humankind is forging a new mind. God is at work. This is the season of Promise.” ~ Howard Thurman ~ Wellness Resources Urban Wellness Living Resources Soul Care & Spiritual Formation View More > Emotional & Mental Health View More > Healthy Living View More > Recommended Reads View More > Righteousness & Justice View More > Financial Wellness View More > Web Etiquette Practicing good web etiquette: be respectful, be thoughtful before responding, and engage in healthy, constructive discussions. Let's cultivate a friendly and inclusive online and offline space for everyone. Thank you for your curiosity, courtesy, and understanding while exploring and searching on this website! Contact SAY HELLO Email: urbanwellnessliving@gmail.com Say Hello Connecting with God as a Source for Life and Purpose. Fullscreen Page | UrbanWellnessLiving Soul Care Conversation | UrbanWellnessLiving Soul Care Conversation (20 minutes | Virtual Conversation | No Fee) This is a complimentary service offered only once per person. Contact Email: Instagram: Linktree: urbanwellnessliving@gmail.com @urbanwellnessliving linktr.ee/urbanwellnessliving Scheduling Soul Care Conversation Let's explore and imagine what your hopes or expectations are for soul care, questions surrounding what is my approach as well as what your needs are. I look forward to meeting with you! Scheduling Soul Care Conversation Soul Care Advising | UrbanWellnessLiving Soul Care Advising (60 minutes | $40 to $60 Scale) (Virtual Advising) Contact Email: Instagram: Linktree: urbanwellnessliving@gmail.com @urbanwellnessliving linktr.ee/urbanwellnessliving Scheduling Soul Care Advising ​What Does Soul Care Advising Make Available: Listening-Companion to an Individual’s Soul Care Narrative. Safe Space to Lean in with Love with One’s Spiritual and Emotional Rooted Needs. Respond to Generational Historical Pain with Kindness, Compassion, Justice, and Advocacy. Invite Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional Practices to Repair, Nuture, and Refine One's Soul. Uncover or Rediscover Authenticity, Belonging, Worth, and Purpose. Noticing and Identifying the Attributes of Resilience. Together Create Pliable Plans, Guides, and Goals to Rebuild Healthy Movements. Scheduling Soul Care Advising Soul Care & Spiritual Formation | UrbanWellnessLiving Soul Care & Spiritual Formation Resourcing Wellness In Community Soul Care and Spiritual Formation are integral components of our journey toward the intentional nurturing of the whole person. We ground these principles in transformative practices that cultivate spiritual growth, emotional well-being, heightened self-awareness, and a deepening connection with the Divine. Rooted in the transformative process that shapes communities into the likeness of Christ, these practices lead to essential virtues such as love, empathy, courage, humility, compassion, justice, grace, and wisdom. By staying on the road to internal and external freedom, we are ultimately guided into the sustaining rhythm of life, work, and the embodiment of a profound sense of Hope and Peace (Gen 2:7, I Thess 5:23, Matt 22:37-39, Is 61:1-3, Rom 12:1-2, II Cor 3:17-18 & 5:20, Deut 6:4-8, Lk 4:14-37, and Jn 14:16,26 ). Soul Care & Spiritual Formation Centers The Center for Formation Justice & Peace Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation Center for Action & Contemplation Emotionally Healthy Discipleship Fuller Center for Spiritual Formation Transforming Center | Strengthen the Soul of Your Leadership Adele & Doug Calhoun | The Journey to Your True Self Peacock Soul Care | Experiencing the Deep Journey Together Grafted Life Ministries Spiritual Directors Spiritual Directors International Spiritual Director of Color Network Daniele Evans Spiritual Direction Soul Reparations Sustainable Faith Fuller Spiritual Directors & Formation Grafted Life Ministries Soul Care with Erica Chaplins Spiritual Directors & Leaders Spiritual Direction with Jackie Sevier Selecting the appropriate Spiritual Director is a deeply personal process, requiring careful consideration of various factors. Please discern diligently to identify the qualities and expertise that align with your specific needs and preferences. Spiritual Directors Spiritual Practice Guides Daily Examen Lectio Divina Gratitude Prayer of Intention I Need You Light Spiritual Practice Guides Centering Prayer Fixed Hour of Prayer Body Scan Loaves and Fishes Statio Prayer Spiritual Practices 8 Practices of Emotionally Healthy Preaching & Teaching by Pete Scazzero Download Emotionally Healthy Preaching and Teaching by Pete Scazzero Listen Soul Care Resources Groundwork Reads View More > Readings on Soul Care & Spiritual Formation View More > Defining Words CONTEMPLATION refers to several Christian practices which aim at "gazing at", "a way of seeing", or "being aware of" God. It is the act of gazing into the mystery of God, an act beyond words or logical expression (Spiritual Director Therese Taylor-Stinson). It is a prayerful letting go of our sense of control and choosing to cooperate with God and God’s work in the world. Prayer without action, as Father Richard Rohr says, can promote our tendency to self-preoccupation, and without contemplation, even well-intended actions can cause more harm than good. ​ "The Scripture engagement practice called contemplate is an intimate way of communicating with the Lord. All too often in prayer and worship, we talk to God but don’t give God a chance to communicate back to us. It's like hanging up the phone on God after we spoke. C ontemplate is a tool to help us use God's word for that. So the fou r traditional stages of contemplate are reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. The steps were created simply to provide structure and guidance for people who wish to learn how to partake in this practice. ​ The four steps of contemplation have been compared to “feasting on the Word.” Reading is taking a bite of food. Meditating is chewing food. Praying is savoring food. Contemplating is digesting food and ma king it a part of your body. Too often we are “fast food” Bible readers, rapidly gulping down the Bread of Life (John 6:35). The result is that we are unable to properly absorb our “spiritual meal.” Instead, slow down. Savor your time in God’s Word and find joy in meeting God (Unknown Author)." SPIRITUAL DIRECTION IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS SOMEONE... by Ruth Haley Barton & Grafted Life Ministry Who is being guided by the Holy Spirit and helping us to see what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives. They are getting together with you to pay attention to the real Director, which is the Holy Spirit. Who is a trained listener who will accompany you as you share about your spiritual journey, helping you to notice God’s presence and activity along the way, as well as your personal reactions, motives, attitudes, and responses. Who might bring a problem but do something very different with it. They are not trying to get the problem fixed, psychologically. They are trying to open up through the Holy Spirit and ask, "What are God’s invitations here? How is God present with me in this? What is God’s invitation to transformation within the situation? What is God calling me to?" A very different set of questions than counseling. Who draws attention to what the Holy Spirit is doing. To ask compassionate questions to help you further understand what the Holy Spirit might be doing or is already doing. But they would rarely give advice in that sense. Who is hospitable, confidential, and is well versed in the ways of the body, heart, and mind. Who understands and helps you grow in prayer as well as live into your calling as a follower of Christ. Who understands spiritual practices and guides you into spiritual practices to hold you, to teach you those, and to process what happened in the context of those disciplines. Who gently directs you to listen deeply and personally, cultivating a growing intimacy with God, resonating with the profound words of Martin Luther King Jr.: 'Justice is love correcting that which would work against love [L oving ourselves and one another]...'. Who stays awake with you on the road when you are spiritually weary, helping you persevere toward inner and outer freedom. Who compassionately leads us into the biblical principle of 'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also' (Matthew 6:21). Henri Nouwen illustrates this truth, stating, 'The farther the outward journey takes you, the deeper the inward journey must be.' Who celebrates God’s work of transformation with you and for you. Who is trained and often certified in the art of Spiritual Direction. ​ ​ ​“A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR is one who helps another recognize and follow the inspirations of grace in their life, in order to arrive at the end to which God is leading them.”—Thomas Merton ​ Psalm 139*Micah 6:8*Jn 14:26 * Jn 15:26 * Acts 1:8 * Rom 8:26 * Rom 12 Soul Care Facilitating | UrbanWellnessLiving Facilitating a Group Session (60 minutes | $70 to $100 Scale + travel expenses & materials) (Virtual or In-Person) Scheduling Soul Care Facilitating Contact Email: Instagram: Linktree: urbanwellnessliving@gmail.com @urbanwellnessliving linktr.ee/urbanwellnessliving Let's come together and explore ways to support your community's soul and spiritual growth. I'm looking forward to sharing this journey with you every step of the way! Scheduling Soul Care Facilitating My Soul Rhythm | UrbanWellnessLiving "They will be like a tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by streams of water, bearing fruit in every season of life; and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers." ~Psalm 1:3 My Current Soul Rhythm... Drink a Cup of Water After Getting Out of Bed 30 min - 1 hr Work Out Slowly Read a Psalm & Centering Prayer Mini Body Scan Exercise Dream, Envision, & Goal Setting Engaged in Work Activities & Projects Mid-Day Gratitude or Centering Prayer Practice Be Intentional to Connect with Neighbors Family, Friends, Community: Genuine Fun Connections & Meaningful Conversations Civic Engagement Quality Time with My Spouse Youtube Shorts: Camping ASMR Encouraging Phrase & Journaling Earlier Bed Time ...and Soul Rhythm Tools Bite Size Body Scan by Smiling Mind​ Lectio 365 Walking Workout, Strength Training , & Swimming Currently Reading: Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman | Public Mystic and Freedom Fighter by Therese Taylor-Stinson Spiritiual Direction Centering Prayer & Lectio Divina Civic Engagement Bible Project | Sermon on the Mount Videos & Podcast Contact Say Hello Email urbanwellnessliving@gmail.com Follow Give | UrbanWellnessLiving Give Every contribution counts as we expand our reach and make a healthy multigenerational impact in our neighborhoods. Whether you give to us or other like-minded collaboratives like ours, your actions will inspire others and will create a chain reaction of restorative love, justice, and healing in our communities. My family appreciate you for being a worthy connector and collaborator of resouring lasting wellness rhythms throughout all generations. We are humbled and deeply grateful. Thank You So Much! How to Give Paypal Venmo Zelle Linktree "What is important is how well we love. God will make our love fruitful, whether we see that fruitfulness or not." ~ Bread for the Journey ~ Why focus on African American History | UrbanWellnessLiving Why focus on Black and African American spirituality and history to encourage wellness as well as dismantle global caste systems, colorism, and racism? Focusing on Black and African American spirituality and history when discussing wellness, caste systems, colorism, and racism is not about prioritizing one group's experiences over others or ignoring global issues. Instead, it is about acknowledging and addressing an intentional and historically significant aspect of caste systems in the United States and, by extension, highlighting broader issues related to socio-race trauma, and inequality of wellness worldwide. Here are some reasons why Black and African American spirituality and history are often emphasized in discussions about health and caste systems: Historical Significance: Black and African Americans have a distinct and deeply rooted history of oppression and discrimination in the United States. Focusing and studying this history allows for a much deeper understanding of the roots of socio-race injustices and serves as a compelling case study for understanding the behaviors of caste systems both domestically and worldwide. It highlights, fundamentally, how deeply ingrained and pervasive systems of oppression have been and their long-lasting consequences. ​ ​ ​ Intersectionality: Focusing on Black and African American history is not only inclusive but also serves as a vital starting point to explore intersectionality. It allows us to address broader issues of caste systems that impact diverse communities. Understanding the effects of racism on Black and African Americans helps us grasp how these dynamics intersect with the experiences of other marginalized groups. Educational & Awareness Purposes: Education about Black and African American spirituality and history helps raise awareness about the generational propensities and persistence of caste systems and their consequences on the well-being of humanity's soul. It encourages dialogue and cultivates empathy, ultimately contributing to efforts to address colorism and racism more broadly. It allows ears to hear and eyes to see the world from different perspectives and recognize the real challenges that others face due to established systemic barriers. ​ ​ Policy & Reform: Black and African American communities have historically shouldered a disproportionate burden of colorism and caste systems, evident in areas such as criminal justice, housing, education, and healthcare. By focusing on these disparities, we can advocate for specific policy changes and reforms aimed at addressing these systemic issues and promoting equity and justice for all individuals affected. This approach not only addresses immediate concerns but also cultivates a more inclusive society, acknowledging and rectifying past and present injustices while working towards a sustainable fairer future. ​ ​ Inspiration & Solidarity: Black and African American spirituality and history includes numerous inspiring narratives of reparative healing, rebuilding, resistance, and resilience. These stories can serve as powerful sources of inspiration for people of all backgrounds, motivating us to engage in the fight against caste systems, colorism, and racism. Additionally, they foster solidarity among diverse communities in the quest for civil righteousness, justice, and a sense of unity in the Creator God who made us all. Again, it's important to emphasize that focusing on Black and African American history is not meant to exclude or ignore the experiences of other marginalized groups. Rather, it is a necessary component to address and dismantle the deep work of caste systems, colorism, and racism in all its forms, both within the United States and beyond. An inclusive approach to anti-racism and wellness recognizes the interconnectedness of various behaviors and patterns of marginalization and seeks to cultivate a more just, healing, and equitable world for all humanity's sake ( Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson , Howard Sermons on the Parables by David B. Gowler, Kipton E Jensen & Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and the World--and How to Repair It by Lisa Sharon Harper ). The Book of Genesis & Exodus Deut 6:4-12, 2 Samuel 21:1-14, Amos 5:24, Micah 6:8 Lk 4:17-19, Lk 10:25-37, Rom 12:1-2, 2 Cor 3:17-18, Is 61:1-3, Ps 139 Defining Word SANKOFA is a word from the Akan tribe in Ghana. It means San (to return), ko (to go) fa (to fetch, seek, and take). The bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg off its back embodies Sankofa’s meaning. Sankofa attests that we must look backwards (into our history), before we can faithfully move forward together, in the present and future. The Sankofa experience does just this, by exploring historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement, connecting the freedom struggle of the past, to our present realities. Sankofa is an invitation to understand race as a critical component of our Christian discipleship. It is an interactive, spiritual formation, pilgrimage that equips Christians to pursue racial righteousness inside and outside the church. This relational journey traces the history of race and tangibly equips believers to begin living into the church’s mission to be ambassadors of reconciliation. Soul Care Resources | UrbanWellnessLiving Soul Care Resources Where to begin reading! The intention is for these resources to inspire you to discover enriching elements of soul care and spiritual formation on your personal or communal journey. Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village by Barbara Holmes Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman: Public Mystic and Freedom Fighter Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transforms Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction by Dr. Robert W. Kellemen, Karole A. Edwards Forged in the Fiery Furnace: African American Spirituality by Diana L. Hayes The Way of the Heart: Connecting with God Through Prayer, Wisdom, and Silence by Henry Nouwen Embodied Spirits: Stories of Spiritual Directors of Color by Sherry Bryant-Johnson Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson The Enneagram for Black Liberation by Chichi Agorom The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective by Richard Rohr Kintsugi Japanese Pottery: Mending Our Brokenness Download A Simple Form Lectio Divina? by Fr. Josh Johnson View More > Spiritual Practice Guides View More > Readings on Soul Care & Spiritual Formation View More > Healthy Living | UrbanWellnessLiving Healthy Living Resourcing Wellness In Community Healthy Living is having the opportunity, capability, empowerment, and motivation to act in a way that positively affects our environment as well as our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It is paying attention to what we eat, being physically active, resting, learning more about ourselves and our connection with our body. All for the purpose of developing good habits and helping us meet our health goal needs. We share these in the hope that they can contribute to your own well-being or inspire you to discover valuable and health-promoting resources within your local community. Zack & Zoe Sweet Bee Farm Our Culture Hub Elderberry Syrup Edens Garden Essential Oils Monteray Bay Herb Co. Plant Therapy Make It Dairy Free Adams/Vermont Farmer's Market Baba's Vegan Cafe Exposition Fish & Poultry Market Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen Peloton App Community | LA Cafe Green Vibrance South LA Cafe Orgain Organic Protein CurlMix Orgain Collagen Peptides Dash Diet & Brief Guide Afro City Marketplace Zenni Eyewear for Everyone Moonlight Bath Treats U.S. National Parks Soul Fire Farm The King's Offspring HerHealing Blaze Pizza Kettle & Fire Chicken Bone Broth Casa Tlatenchi Moody Vegan Eating Healthy Today Recreaton.gov Erin McKenna Bakery LA SeniorShape Fitness Hipcamp CAVA Civic Engagement | UrbanWellnessLiving Civic Engagement Why Civic Engagement? Many principles and teachings in the Bible emphasize the importance of caring for one's neighbor, seeking justice, and being a responsible steward of the world. For instance, Jesus' command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39) is an inherit call to actively engage in the well-being of one's community and society as a whole. Additionally, passages such as Micah 6:8, instructs believers to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God," underscore the value of pursuing justice and compassion in one's civic actions. Thus, civic engagement is not only a duty but also a way to demonstrate the heart of God fulfilling a higher moral and ethical purpose as outlined in the Bible. ​ We know there are so many civic engagement opportunties in the world. We know that many of you are fully engaged in them. Below are just a mighty few that our family have connected with, amongst others not listed, that we thought to share. We hope this will keep ecnouraging all of us to stay in the alignment of God's desire for healing and wholeness in the unity of Christ. Black Visions of Wellness To strengthen African and African-American communities through services that encourages physical, mental well-being and recovery while bringing cultural awareness and appreciation of the mind, body and soul. Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice focuses on developing, implementing and teaching sustainable and regenerative earth practices. AddiEun Foundation The mission of the AddiEun Foundation is to fund, in the form of small micro-grants, the creation of primarily black and indigenous women led reprieve spaces and infrastructure building and strengthening for black and indigenous individuals, families, and communities confronting and enduring the persistent historical intergenerational and institutional effects of White Body Supremacy. ​ These spaces will be the cultural and philosophical foundation for healing and economic development for the next nine generations. NAACP National Association for the Advancement of Colored People The NAACP or National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was established in 1909 and is America's oldest and largest civil rights organization. It was formed in New York City by white and Black activists, partially in response to the ongoing violence against Black Americans around the country. Color of Change OUR MISSION: Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Watts of Power Foundation: The Village Initiative The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen families and communities through a focus on education and community revitalization. Our five-pronged approach empowers Black male pre-service teachers through: education, housing, financial literacy, job training and advocacy. Teacher Village featured ABC 7 Eyewitness News Children's Defense Fund The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor children, children of color and those with disabilities. Los Angeles Regional Re-entry Partnership The mission of LARRP is to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive, culturally competent, and effective community reentry system, by providing a strong community voice in public policy and funding decisions; by serving as a convener of reentry service providers, advocates, and other stakeholders; and by building capacity across the county to meet the needs of the reentry community. California Black Power Network The California Black Power Network is a united ecosystem of Black grassroots organizations working together to change the lived conditions of Black Californians by dismantling systemic and anti-Black racism. Black & Asian Solidarity FACE See how FACE is bringing together the Black and AAPI community to bring racial healing and unity to fight for a more equitable world. After Hours We are a community compelled by the hope of Christ to participate in transformation and healing among people in L.A. involved in all aspects of the cycle of sexual exploitation. We do this by building community, aligning resources, and fostering healthy relationships. Poor People's Campaign In 1968, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many others called for a “revolution of values” in America. They sought to build a broad, fusion movement that could unite poor and impacted communities across the country. Their name was a direct cry from the underside of history: The Poor People’s Campaign. Today, the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival has picked up this unfinished work. From Alaska to Arkansas, the Bronx to the border, people are coming together to confront the interlocking evils of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism. We understand that as a nation we are at a critical juncture — that we need a movement that will shift the moral narrative, impact policies and elections at every level of government, and build lasting power for poor and impacted people. The Equal Justice Initiative The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. EJI challenges poverty and racial injustice, advocates for equal treatment in the criminal justice system, and creates hope for marginalized communities. Founded in 1989 by Bryan Stevenson, a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer and bestselling author of Just Mercy, EJI is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons. We challenge the death penalty and excessive punishment and we provide re-entry assistance to formerly incarcerated people. Tsuru for Solidarity As an ethnic group who has received an apology and reparations from the federal government for wrongs committed against us, Japanese Americans have a moral imperative to support Black people seeking a past due similar path for a structural remedy. We also have moral authority to stand in solidarity with other communities: especially a community targeted by historic racism seeking accountability and a process for redress and reparations. Chasing Justice Chasing Justice will equip and inspire you in new ways. The invitation to live justly can often feel overwhelming with all the darkness in the world, but we believe that God cares about the injustice and pain in the world and has designed us to make a difference. Being led by people of color, we are forming a community of people that will journey together. This journey will provoke a social imagination that centers the voices of those most impacted by injustice. Chasing Justice will guide you to live justly and see God’s goodness for the world. Let’s rebuild a just world. Private School Village PSV is a unique community of support, created for Black families by Black families. A highly collaborative organization, PSV brings together families and students from across private schools to share resources, centralize offerings, and truly build community. We believe that a healthy education includes a community where students, parents, and schools are in partnership to ensure all students thrive fully. Together we are working to increase racial literacy, racial socialization, representation and support related research. Mental Health Resources for Children and Youth in Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMHLA) Download Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Toll Free Assistance (DMHLA) Download Mental Health Resources Download Expert Insights on Youth Suicide Awareness & Prevention in K-12 Schools Download How School & District Leaders Can Recognize & Prevent Student Harm to Self & Others Download Creating a Modern Youth Suicide Awareness & Prevention Program for Your District Download www.navigate360.com Los Angeles City Resource List (The Housing Authority has developed a resource list with possible sources and assistance. The Housing Authority does not endorse these services) Download Los Angeles County Consumer Business Affairs View More > Previous 1 2 3 Next