Ep 4: Practices to Prevent a Civil War (with Shauna Niequist)
Delight, Storytelling Questions, and Hospitality that nourishes and nurtures...
During the first Pastors, Priests, and Guides planning meeting, Shauna Niequist said something to the effect of "I'm glad we are inviting people into the heavy and sometimes dark places in their stories and souls. This work is really necessary right now. But do you know what is also needed? Joy. Celebration. Gratitude." And in that holy moment, the PP&G Night of Delight was born.
Delight Night on retreat
Every Tuesday evening of retreat, we practice the spiritual practice of delight. In NYC and Houston, Shauna gave a short teaching on the necessity of delight, and then launched people into the city for dinner, walks through central park, karoake in Koreatown, museums, concerts, Broadway, bike rides....WHATEVER would help them enjoy the goodness of the world God made. Those nights were incredibly fun and joy-filled. (FYI, here was "Shauna's NYC recommendations" page).
In Chicago and Philly, being an hour outside of the city, we hosted our own delight night on campus: a huge table of local snacks, Snoop wine, an art class, guided yoga, Steph's karaoke night, and/or Bellarmine Bingo with Fr Michael. Again...the invitation was to choose the activity that would bring the most delight, and jump into it!
Through Shauna's passion and gifts, Delight has become one of our community’s central spiritual practices.
Episode 4
In the same way that Shauna brings a needed balance of joyful connection into our often inward-focused retreats, her Practice to Prevent a Civil War is also counterintuitive. And brilliant. When asked how to avoid a civil war, she simply says “Connect with humans, face to face.”
"At every possible moment, get off the internet and invite a human person into your space." What does Shauna believe will heal the splintering world? Actual human connection. A tangible space to nourish and nurture each other.
In this episode, she reflects on the limits of digital connection and the nourishment of time around a table. And then she rolls up her sleeves to share practical wisdom for HOW to gather people in meaningful but doable ways. If you've ever thought "I want to invite people but I'm not sure what to do", this is your episode.
To dig in and learn more, Shauna writes consistently about hospitality, gathering, and delight at her Substack Reading & Eating. Check it out today!
Above all, remember that this series is about PRACTICE. After listening to the episode, allow the Spirit to nudge you toward tangible action. Who will you invite over? When? With whom? Dinner or happy hour? Big group or simply 3 or 4? With kids or just adults?
There is no right way. In fact, there are one million right ways. Simply take one step to invite someone near today. (And please let us know how it goes!)
Grace and peace,
Aaron and the PP&G Team
Oh John. Yes. I love his books and words. He has helped me so much. Love her words but i noticed how people are AFRAID when you ask them how they are. I had a mom APOLOGIZE for her words but she felt heard and seen bc i offered my ear. And i said i am always open. Your words are safe with me. At school pickup!! Moms please know as a mom of 2 neurospicy wildly beautiful kids i see u. I am a safe space. Thankful for the words here.