​Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
Allen Levi's first novel is the beautiful story of giving and receiving. Theo, the mysterious main character, asks many more questions than he answers and impacts all who dare to have a conversation with him. Those who get to know him experience deep relationship and a sense of feeling seen and heard.

Theo's approach to others drew me in and kept me returning to experience more of his story and the story of those he encountered. I recognized so many aspects of spiritual direction in Theo's care and love of others. I laughed. I reflected. I shed a few tears. It's a beautiful tapestry of community.
​Stacy Boyer

Meet Cindy Henderson

Hello Friends,
​
About 12 years ago I began Class 4 of the Charis Spiritual Direction training. The year before I had just taken early retirement from a 35-year career in executive communications to take care of my husband, who had Alzheimer's. I did a lot of discerning before signing up for Charis because that wasn't the purpose of retiring early. I soon discovered it not only deepened my spiritual walk, but it gave me the peace and strength I needed to be a better caregiver. As always, God knew what was best for me.

After Carl passed, my grown daughter and I took several trips together, including one to the Holy Land, which had always been my dream. Life began to return to somewhat normal, whatever that is! I rejoined a couple of choirs, which is another passion, and life was good. Then, two years ago, the lymphoma which had been dormant for 20 years, "roared it's ugly head." When the chemo treatments didn't work, my only option was a stem cell transplant. It's been a year now, and I'm feeling good, and receiving excellent results. I'm so very thankful for my "new lease on life," as I describe it.

I recently moved to Brenham, Texas, where my brother and sister-in-law live. We enjoy movies, music and gardening, and I'm only an hour away from my daughter and MD Anderson, for checkups. I've even joined a church choir! I've also begun training to be a CanCare support volunteer, to provide emotional support for other cancer patients and their loved ones. I know my spiritual director training will be invaluable.

I joined The Gathered Community shortly after graduating Charis, and began editing the monthly ENews. I currently serve on the Extended Leadership Team, and find so much companionship and encouragement through the various retreats and programs offered both by and beyond TGC.

Shared in the August 2026 ENewsletter
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How To Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals ​by Sy Montgomery
Naturalist and adventurer Sy Montgomery has traveled the world and has encountered some of the planet's rarest and most beautiful animals. She reflects on the profound lessons she has learned from 13 animals, including pets and wild creatures, about love, empathy, grief, and finding one's place in the world.

Shared by Cindy Henderson, Spiritual Director and TGC E-News Editor

​Shared in July 2026 Enewsletter
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Meet Dan Gilliam

Rev. Dan Gilliam is a "retired" United Methodist Elder continuing to serve and minister at Lake Rayburn United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Paige, have three grown children and another they "adopted." Dan's love of learning and pastoral care has drawn him to begin a Clinical Pastoral Education class that meets throughout the summer months.

Dan was introduced to spiritual direction through one of our own, Connie Bovier, as he began his training to be a minister. Following his ordination, he found a spiritual director and eventually felt called to enter the Charis Training Program. He explains jokingly, "As a minister, I'm paid to talk. Spiritual direction taught me to listen, which has profoundly changed my pastoral care. Because of spiritual direction training, I'm better able to sit and listen compassionately to my parishioners."

Dan joined The Gathered Community and began participating in Thursday Night Prayer Group as well as reCharge events. He currently serves on the Extended Leadership Team and will be leading The Great Silence team in October. He is also helping to facilitate a discussion group on Aging with Grace that will begin soon.

Note: Aging with Grace meets from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm CT via the same Zoom (LINK) on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays. ALL are WELCOME. 

Shared in the July 2026 ENewsletter
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Camino Divina
by Gina Marie Mammano
The subtitle is Walking the Divine Way. In the book, Gina selects twelve likely and unlikely "saints" to spend time with during her walks. In each chapter, she highlights a teaching from a "saint" and then takes their message on a selected hike. The result is a beautifully descriptive personal experience and engagement of "how to walk the divine way" with an open soul and open hands - how walks can become a way into the Divine. 
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Shared by Ginny Itz, SoulCollage® and Labyrinth Facilitator
August TGC ENewsletter
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