VISION
Living Well Ministries (LWM) supports people who wish to name with intention a threshold, transition or commitment with a public ritual. Some examples of ceremonies include:
Weddings/Holy Unions
Funerals/Memorial Services
House Blessings
Relationship Transitions
With respect and appreciation, I serve people of all gender identities, sexual orientations and family styles in making such public commitments. Together, we will craft a ceremony of intention unique to your situation and expressed values. “Public” means a gathering of your loved ones, however large or small.
My faith convictions and ordination vows combine in a radically inclusive commitment to support lives of faith, intention and service. In creating a ceremony with you, I represent the One who has called us all into abundant life, the fruits of the Spirit, and life-giving community. If you seek a minister who will support you in expressing not only your love, but your reliance on community and your desire to bless this world through your shared lives, then we may be a good match. And about your spirituality… as a Baptist minister committed to interreligious respect, I find much joy in the creative partnership that emerges when diversity calls!
RATES *
Weddings/Holy Unions: $700.00
Funerals/Memorial Services: $400.00
House Blessings: $250.00
Relationship Transitions: $700.00
POLICIES
Weddings/Holy Unions:
Preparation: Five 60-minute planning sessions, spanning a minimum of two months before your ceremony, are required. We will use this time to explore the unique joys, lessons and challenges of your relationship and to plan the ceremony. These sessions will include a combination of 1-1 sessions, relationship sessions, and homework for your private reflection and conversation.
Honorarium: Rate includes planning sessions, liturgy planning, and attendance of rehearsal and ceremony. My services do not include building or musician arrangements or preparation of written programs. (Referrals for musicians and ceremony sites are available.) Payment installments at each session are preferred. Final payment is due one week prior to the ceremony. *
Funerals/Memorial Services: See upcoming post.
House Blessings: See upcoming post.
Relationship Transitions: See upcoming post.
*Additional fees may be negotiated if the scope of my services exceeds customary time allotted.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Financial Wellness: Tips for Abundance Actions
WATCH FOR DETAILS ON REPEAT OFFERS OF THIS UNIQUE PROGRAM. 6554 N. Rockwell Street, Chicago. Cost: $40 (includes light lunch).
Do you want to move from worry to wellness in your financial life? Are you tired of extreme messages that overwhelm you with unachievable burdens or glib advice? Give yourself the gift of this unique day, a gathering to:
NAME INFLUENCES ON OUR GOALS AND BELIEFS ABOUT MONEY
EXPLORE CURRENT BELIEFS THAT LIMIT CREATIVITY AND SABOTAGE DISCIPLINE
BRAINSTORM PRACTICAL, ACHIEVABLE ACTIONS THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
RECEIVE SUPPORT FOR YOUR UNIQUE NEXT STEPS
Attendees will gain resources for the heart, mind and pocketbook through this unique combination of presentation, discussion, and meditation and follow-up recommendations.
Co-sponsored by Living Well Ministries and the Law Office of Kelli Dudley
PRESENTERS
Kelli Dudley is a lawyer who assists people to change their minds about debt. She defends people who are pursued by creditors, mortgage companies, and landlords. She helps them to negotiate when they truly owe money, and assists them to defend themselves when they are unjustly harassed. Kelli teaches Housing Law at the DePaul University College of Law and teaches in several paralegal and college programs. Her passion is helping people understand money and material resources as tools that can help them attain their true purpose. Founder of Living Well Ministries, Jacki Belile is an ordained American Baptist minister and spiritual life coach. She has previously served as pastor of two congregations and worked in the fields of health ministry and interfaith dialogue. Since 2000, she has led retreats and seminars on topics including stress management, spirituality of stewardship, befriending the Bible, and forgiveness. In addition to her local and long-distant individual coaching practice, she is available for “committee coaching” for churches and non-profits.
Retreat "Packages" Available for Your Group
EXAMPLES OF RETREATS & SEMINARS
--available for your organization--
Prayerful Living (Practicing the Serenity Prayer)
Reimagining Forgiveness
A Spirituality of Self-Care
Church Growth: Vitality, Visibility, Vision
Faith vs. Dogma
Befriending the Bible
Coming Out with Integrity & Creativity
Developing Spiritual Practices
Bible Study Immersion Days
Discerning Gifts & Choices
Excellence vs. Perfection
Interfaith Literacy and Dialogue
Journeys of Justice (Heart-Centered Activism)
The Spiritual Power of Simplicity
Wellsprings of Wisdom (seniors’ programming)
--available for your organization--
Prayerful Living (Practicing the Serenity Prayer)
Reimagining Forgiveness
A Spirituality of Self-Care
Church Growth: Vitality, Visibility, Vision
Faith vs. Dogma
Befriending the Bible
Coming Out with Integrity & Creativity
Developing Spiritual Practices
Bible Study Immersion Days
Discerning Gifts & Choices
Excellence vs. Perfection
Interfaith Literacy and Dialogue
Journeys of Justice (Heart-Centered Activism)
The Spiritual Power of Simplicity
Wellsprings of Wisdom (seniors’ programming)
BROWSE FURTHER FOR JACKI'S BIO, PAST PROGRAMS ETC.
Browse the next pages "older posts" for previous LWM programs, as well as my bio and previous communities served.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Retreat Leadership - My Past Experience
I'm Shaped by 20 Years of Retreat Habits
Rev. Jacki Belile
www.livingwellministries.net
I hope this will give you a sense of the ways spiritual retreats have shaped me over the last twenty years.
TOPICAL RETREATS (2000-present)
Gatherings as individuals -- either unaffiliated or from one or more church -- to explore a common theme
A Few Examples of Topics I’ve Led (vs. attended) for eleven faith communities since 2000:
A Flourishing Life: Living the Serenity Prayer
Finding Our Wisdom: A Retreat for Older Adults
Savoring Spring: A Church Visioning Retreat
Befriending the Bible: A Retreat for LGBT Christians Seeking Peace w/ God
Forgiveness: Freedom for a Flourishing Life
Prayerful Living: Beyond Stress Management
The Spiritual Power of Simplicity
Prayerful Living: The Freedom in Spiritual Disciplines
God’s Dream: Cultivating Christian Community
A New Way for a New Day: Excellence vs. Perfectionism
Our Story Too: LGBT Christians Reclaim the Bible
The Gift of YOU: A New Approach to Spiritual Gifts
Faith Beyond Resentment (worship leadership @ retreat based on this book)
PERSONAL RENEWAL RETREATS (2000-present)
Regular unstructured, individual retreat time (beginning in my first pastorate, where I retreated 3-4 times/year for approximately a week)
LOCAL CHURCH RETREATS (1990-2006)
A tradition of annual Grace Baptist Church retreats, attended as an active lay member and then pastor
RETREATS WITH COLLEAGUES (1990 – present)
Sacred time set aside to rest, play and study with fellow seminarians, fellow ministers, parish nurse colleagues, and interfaith dialogue advocates
ORIENTATION RETREATS (1986, 1996)
Sacred time set aside to get students off to an intentional and well-supported start to their new lives
DISCIPLESHIP COORDINATORS' RETREATS (1988-9)
Refreshing time away from college classes for intense Bible study and training as a Discipleship Coordinators (a network of small groups for prayer, fellowship and Bible study at Taylor University)
The habit of retreat-taking is central to my Christian life. They renew, restore and reorient me for the sake of Gospel (repentance for the sake of abundant life).
I’d be honored to serve you on your own journey of Living Well in an upcoming retreat experience, whether it is inspired by the above topics or something else you imagine. Contact me at 773.655.4357 or jacki@livingwellministries.net for more info on my previous experience. Watch for more information about LWM’s upcoming retreat schedule, including one-day Bible Study retreats.
Rev. Jacki Belile
www.livingwellministries.net
I hope this will give you a sense of the ways spiritual retreats have shaped me over the last twenty years.
TOPICAL RETREATS (2000-present)
Gatherings as individuals -- either unaffiliated or from one or more church -- to explore a common theme
A Few Examples of Topics I’ve Led (vs. attended) for eleven faith communities since 2000:
A Flourishing Life: Living the Serenity Prayer
Finding Our Wisdom: A Retreat for Older Adults
Savoring Spring: A Church Visioning Retreat
Befriending the Bible: A Retreat for LGBT Christians Seeking Peace w/ God
Forgiveness: Freedom for a Flourishing Life
Prayerful Living: Beyond Stress Management
The Spiritual Power of Simplicity
Prayerful Living: The Freedom in Spiritual Disciplines
God’s Dream: Cultivating Christian Community
A New Way for a New Day: Excellence vs. Perfectionism
Our Story Too: LGBT Christians Reclaim the Bible
The Gift of YOU: A New Approach to Spiritual Gifts
Faith Beyond Resentment (worship leadership @ retreat based on this book)
PERSONAL RENEWAL RETREATS (2000-present)
Regular unstructured, individual retreat time (beginning in my first pastorate, where I retreated 3-4 times/year for approximately a week)
LOCAL CHURCH RETREATS (1990-2006)
A tradition of annual Grace Baptist Church retreats, attended as an active lay member and then pastor
RETREATS WITH COLLEAGUES (1990 – present)
Sacred time set aside to rest, play and study with fellow seminarians, fellow ministers, parish nurse colleagues, and interfaith dialogue advocates
ORIENTATION RETREATS (1986, 1996)
Sacred time set aside to get students off to an intentional and well-supported start to their new lives
DISCIPLESHIP COORDINATORS' RETREATS (1988-9)
Refreshing time away from college classes for intense Bible study and training as a Discipleship Coordinators (a network of small groups for prayer, fellowship and Bible study at Taylor University)
The habit of retreat-taking is central to my Christian life. They renew, restore and reorient me for the sake of Gospel (repentance for the sake of abundant life).
I’d be honored to serve you on your own journey of Living Well in an upcoming retreat experience, whether it is inspired by the above topics or something else you imagine. Contact me at 773.655.4357 or jacki@livingwellministries.net for more info on my previous experience. Watch for more information about LWM’s upcoming retreat schedule, including one-day Bible Study retreats.
Retreat Leadership - Jacki's Style/Passions
PASSIONS?
Yes, passions!
I’m a frequent attendee and leader of retreats, from three-hour “minis” to week-long immersions.
For twenty years I have experienced a deepening appreciation, personal use and increased leadership of retreats for people of faith. “Passion” describes my strong, heart-felt conviction that we all need some version of a regular retreat. Perhaps it’s always been that way. Perhaps retreats are the remedy for a particularly imbalanced society and church. Perhaps (probably!) our biblical heritage of Sabbath-keeping is one way to understand the gift of retreat.
Beyond the literal ancient observance of Sabbath lie many other biblical principles that convict me of our common need. The psalmist hears God invite us to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Following Christ’s resurrection, the disciples uprooted by grief and disorienting joy abide together in Jerusalem, awaiting together the plans and power of God. The epistle writers urge in many varying ways that we not forsake “assembling together.” Time and time again, I’ve seen renewal happen in the special retreat time, a renewal that sadly doesn’t always occur in the day-to-day “operations” of being disciples, of being church.
So, I’m passionate about the spiritual discipline of retreats. They have an ability to restore and reorient us to God’s work -- work that may be in, through or despite us. What that time away looks like will surely vary from person to person, organization to organization, and season to season. The point is an intentional rhythm of consecration, an intentional habit of setting time aside to be uniquely receptive to God and one another.
These are the gifts I appreciate so much about retreats; consider them a glimpse into my leadership style and priorities. These will be present in some measure, tailored in unique combinations, in any vibrant retreat.
Slowing Down – The Gift to sleep a little later, move a little slower, and stop ‘working’ long before bedtime…
Stillness -- The Gift to ponder without producing, whether in nature’s beauty, around the fireplace or in prayer/meditation…
Play – The Gift to enjoy recreation (re-creation!) and leisure, whether alone or with those sacred souls with whom we’re so often working hard…
Creativity – The Gift to access our intuitive, opening side, whether in arts, music, cooking, movement (or even brainstorming!)…
Fellowship – The Gift to deepen intimacy in a setting that is sensitive to varying needs and styles of relationship-building…
Discernment – The Gift to listen alone or together, to name patterns and accept truths, to identify landmarks and Spirit’s call…
Commitments – The Gift to name response to emerging Truth, to set forth in language of heart and mind the fruits of retreat’s reflection…
Worship – The Gift to proclaim God’s empowering faithfulness amid the valleys and heights of our journey, and the Gift of attending to one another as the Body of Christ…
I believe the Christian gospel to be invitation to the abundant life of Jesus Christ. For this, I believe the Biblical patterns of journey, sabbath, discernment, surrender, solitude and community to be timeless. A “Living Well,” you might say.
Wherever you are on your personal journey of spiritual growth, I pray this stirs your own reflection on current habits and/or needs for retreat! Perhaps we’ll meet at a LWM-sponsored retreat, or at a retreat for your church or organization. Perhaps in our coaching session, I’ll support your exploration of a renewing retreat experience.
Wherever it is, here’s to the abundant life Jesus promised, here’s to “Living Well,” together.
Yes, passions!
I’m a frequent attendee and leader of retreats, from three-hour “minis” to week-long immersions.
For twenty years I have experienced a deepening appreciation, personal use and increased leadership of retreats for people of faith. “Passion” describes my strong, heart-felt conviction that we all need some version of a regular retreat. Perhaps it’s always been that way. Perhaps retreats are the remedy for a particularly imbalanced society and church. Perhaps (probably!) our biblical heritage of Sabbath-keeping is one way to understand the gift of retreat.
Beyond the literal ancient observance of Sabbath lie many other biblical principles that convict me of our common need. The psalmist hears God invite us to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Following Christ’s resurrection, the disciples uprooted by grief and disorienting joy abide together in Jerusalem, awaiting together the plans and power of God. The epistle writers urge in many varying ways that we not forsake “assembling together.” Time and time again, I’ve seen renewal happen in the special retreat time, a renewal that sadly doesn’t always occur in the day-to-day “operations” of being disciples, of being church.
So, I’m passionate about the spiritual discipline of retreats. They have an ability to restore and reorient us to God’s work -- work that may be in, through or despite us. What that time away looks like will surely vary from person to person, organization to organization, and season to season. The point is an intentional rhythm of consecration, an intentional habit of setting time aside to be uniquely receptive to God and one another.
These are the gifts I appreciate so much about retreats; consider them a glimpse into my leadership style and priorities. These will be present in some measure, tailored in unique combinations, in any vibrant retreat.
Slowing Down – The Gift to sleep a little later, move a little slower, and stop ‘working’ long before bedtime…
Stillness -- The Gift to ponder without producing, whether in nature’s beauty, around the fireplace or in prayer/meditation…
Play – The Gift to enjoy recreation (re-creation!) and leisure, whether alone or with those sacred souls with whom we’re so often working hard…
Creativity – The Gift to access our intuitive, opening side, whether in arts, music, cooking, movement (or even brainstorming!)…
Fellowship – The Gift to deepen intimacy in a setting that is sensitive to varying needs and styles of relationship-building…
Discernment – The Gift to listen alone or together, to name patterns and accept truths, to identify landmarks and Spirit’s call…
Commitments – The Gift to name response to emerging Truth, to set forth in language of heart and mind the fruits of retreat’s reflection…
Worship – The Gift to proclaim God’s empowering faithfulness amid the valleys and heights of our journey, and the Gift of attending to one another as the Body of Christ…
I believe the Christian gospel to be invitation to the abundant life of Jesus Christ. For this, I believe the Biblical patterns of journey, sabbath, discernment, surrender, solitude and community to be timeless. A “Living Well,” you might say.
Wherever you are on your personal journey of spiritual growth, I pray this stirs your own reflection on current habits and/or needs for retreat! Perhaps we’ll meet at a LWM-sponsored retreat, or at a retreat for your church or organization. Perhaps in our coaching session, I’ll support your exploration of a renewing retreat experience.
Wherever it is, here’s to the abundant life Jesus promised, here’s to “Living Well,” together.
Past Pulpit, Retreat, Education Supply or Consulting
A hearty thanks to each of these communities for my opportunity to serve in some way -- "big" or "small" -- since 1995. Each of these encounters have shaped me and the trajectory of this current ministry.
Phoenix Community Church (Kalamazoo, MI)
Grace Baptist Church (Chicago)
Community Church of Wilmette (IL)
Chicago Theological Seminary
Community Church of Barrington (IL)
Companis (Seattle, WA)
Ebenezer Lutheran Church (Chicago)
Epiphany United Church of Christ (Chicago)
The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
Irving Park Baptist Church (Chicago)
Concordia Lutheran Church (Chicago)
Lake Street Church (Evanston, IL)
St. Benedict Catholic Church (Chicago)
Lakeview Presbyterian Church (Chicago)
Immanuel Lutheran Church (Chicago)
Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, IL)
North Park Theological Seminary (Chicago)
Light of Christ Lutheran Church (Chicago)
Uptown Ministries (Chicago)
The Leaven Center (Lyons, MI)
The South Church (Mt. Prospect, IL)
Community Baptist Church (Warrenville, IL)
St. James Presbyterian Church (Chicago)
Ravenswood United Church of Christ (Chicago)
Parish Nurses Program, Advocate Health Care (IL)
Morgan Park Baptist Church (Chicago)
Church of Jesus Christ, Reconciler (Chicago
Phoenix Community Church (Kalamazoo, MI)
Grace Baptist Church (Chicago)
Community Church of Wilmette (IL)
Chicago Theological Seminary
Community Church of Barrington (IL)
Companis (Seattle, WA)
Ebenezer Lutheran Church (Chicago)
Epiphany United Church of Christ (Chicago)
The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
Irving Park Baptist Church (Chicago)
Concordia Lutheran Church (Chicago)
Lake Street Church (Evanston, IL)
St. Benedict Catholic Church (Chicago)
Lakeview Presbyterian Church (Chicago)
Immanuel Lutheran Church (Chicago)
Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, IL)
North Park Theological Seminary (Chicago)
Light of Christ Lutheran Church (Chicago)
Uptown Ministries (Chicago)
The Leaven Center (Lyons, MI)
The South Church (Mt. Prospect, IL)
Community Baptist Church (Warrenville, IL)
St. James Presbyterian Church (Chicago)
Ravenswood United Church of Christ (Chicago)
Parish Nurses Program, Advocate Health Care (IL)
Morgan Park Baptist Church (Chicago)
Church of Jesus Christ, Reconciler (Chicago
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