While in Louisville, I learned
about the PC(USA)’s certificate in spiritual formation program
and decided to look into it. The program began in 1995 and is
hosted by the Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia,
in conjunction with Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. The purpose of the program is
to renew and strengthen the spiritual lives of both pastors and
lay leaders, while also equipping them with the tools and practices
that promote the spiritual growth of others. The requirements
for the certificate include an immersion week, six elective courses,
a practicum, and a pilgrimage. Reflective reading of selected
texts is required prior to each course, and a ten-page paper is
written in response.
Feeling drawn to what this program has to offer, I joined 13
others in the “Immersion Week Experience: An Invitation
to a Deeper Spiritual Life” at Columbia Theological Seminary
in October. A special fruit of the course was the writing of a
12-page spiritual autobiography. In March, I plan to take the
course, “Introduction to Spiritual Guidance,” in Decatur;
and in April, “How to Nurture Spiritual Formation in the
Congregation” in Austin. The former will help me discern
if I am to pursue training as a spiritual director, and the latter
will help me in my work with Bangladeshi church women’s
groups. Currently, the women’s fortnightly Bible studies
are primarily didactic, with no time devoted to reflection, sharing,
or personal application of the passages studied. My hope is that
this course will equip me to provide my Bangladeshi sisters with
opportunities to explore God’s Word and to experience more
fully the gifts of the Spirit in their lives. I’m also hoping
for opportunities to nurture the faith of nursing and college
students as well.
In September, we were delighted with the opportunity to host
in our home the Right Reverend Michael S. Baroi, moderator of
the Church of Bangladesh, and his wife, Mary. First Presbyterian
Church in Shreveport organized a special brunch for them and invited
leaders of other denominations as well as George Pope, the executive
director of the Medical Benevolence Foundation. The Barois then
flew to the Presbyterian Center in Louisville for meetings with
the Worldwide Ministries Division of our denomination.
In celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary in December, Les
took me to New York City, where we heard Handel’s “Messiah”
performed by the New York Philharmonic in Riverside Church. We
also had the opportunity to participate in a Mass for Peace at
the St. Paul’s Chapel of Trinity Episcopal Church, just
next door to the former site of the World Trade Center. The service
of healing and wholeness came replete with Communion and anointing
with holy oil.
Our youngest child, Stewart, is now a junior at Caddo Magnet
High School here in Shreveport and is into skateboarding and ipoding!
Everett is taking a break from college and is working in Lafayette,
Louisiana. He hopes to resume his studies next fall. Laura is
about to wrap up her second quarter at Baylor Law School, in Waco,
Texas. Although the course is difficult, she’s thoroughly
enjoying it.
Les left yesterday to spend a month in Bangladesh. While there,
he’ll help clarify the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s
working relationship with the new Board of Trustees of Christian
Mission Hospital, and he’ll review the activities of the
community health program and welcome the new director, Dr. Andrew
Roy, who joined the hospital last summer.
Upon his return to the States, Les and I will help the PC(USA)’s
Worldwide Ministries Division lay the foundation for a network
of churches and organizations interested in nurturing the partnership
between the PC(USA) and the Church of Bangladesh. We’re
hoping the first meeting will come together in early May.
Last fall, Les visited 23 of our supporting churches in nine
states. This spring, we’ll both visit more churches, and
in June we will have the opportunity to attend the General Assembly
in Birmingham as Missionary Advisory Delegates. I’m also
making plans to attend the Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian
Women in Louisville just before we return to Bangladesh in July.
Please remember us, our children, and those we serve in Bangladesh,
in your prayers.
Shalom,
Cynthia L. Morgan, MD
The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 117
P.S. If you would like to contact our children, their addresses
are:
Laura W. Morgan
Apt 1304
1800 N. Brazos Drive
Waco, TX 76704
l_morgan [at] baylor.edu
Everett S. Morgan
519 St. Johns Street
Lafayette, LA 70501
everettsmorgan [at] gmail.com
Stewart Morgan
236 Gladstone Blvd.
Shreveport, LA 71104
stewmiester89 [at] gmail.com
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