while I was away.... (erin jean warde)
I stepped away from the computer for a bit over these past few weeks, and when I came up for air a lot of exciting interviews and reviews started popping up! Maybe I should step away more often.. ;)
while I was away…
I write to you today from a coffee shop so close to my new place in Nashville that, if the sky had not been clearly about to drop rain, I would have walked. (And I look forward to walking here often… though the access to cold brew and a fun atmosphere feels dangerous, lol.) I’ve only been here since late Friday night, but I already have a peace about being here — the kind of peace that feels an awful lot to me like the Holy Spirit.
As you might have noticed, I stepped away from the computer for a bit over these past few weeks, and when I came up for air a lot of exciting interviews and reviews started popping up! Maybe I should step away more often.. ;)
So today, in lieu of a longer reflection — while I am still waiting on a POD to bring me my things! — I hope you’ll enjoy checking out the links below, which include blogs, reviews, and podcasts highlighting my work, and more!
Next week, I’ll be out of the office again, as I give myself some space to do the spiritual work of nesting into this space. As I brought up weeks ago — in nesting for my soul — I’ve moved a ton in my life, and I never give myself time to bring intention into how I set up my space. For this move, given all the massive changes in my life (even just since December), I really wanted to give myself a shot at unpacking as an act of self-care. Thank you for your patience as I am away once again.
I’m not sure what the “moving parts” of your life are right now, but I know parts can move even when we don’t move cross country. So, in the ways your life might be moving and changing, I pray you are met with a deep peace even admist the moving — the kind of deep peace that feels an awful lot like the Spirit proclaiming belovedness over you.
With love & care,
EJW
A Review of Sober Spirituality by Anna Sutterisch (Earth & Altar)
I am a founding editor and editor at large for Earth & Altar, so I can’t express to you how thrilled I am to see my book reviewed here!
… Warde invites us to examine our relationship with that which stalls our vulnerability and mindfulness, including an individual and cultural reliance on alcohol. Being human does not mean residing exclusively in the dark night of the soul. To be cracked open, liberated from numbness, and mindful can be scary and raw. But it also is the way to connection, sacramental life, resurrection, and a newfound joy. With Sober Spirituality, Warde invites us to just that.
5+ books on intentional sobriety (Sarah Bessey’s Field Notes)
If you’ve been following along for a minute, you know I deeply appreciate the work of
Some of the hardest spaces to be sober are progressive faith spaces, who often flaunt alcohol consumption as the unifying flag of their rebellion against fundamentalism. It’s problematic for a lot of reasons, sure, but it’s also just not caring for our neighbour well if we don’t acknowledge that. Plus I have found sobriety deeply connected to a major spiritual awakening for me personally. Erin Jean leans into that nuanced Venn diagram of faith, sobriety, and spirituality well.
Sober Spirituality (Erin Jean Warde) — Bible Love: A Scripture Podcast
Enjoy this conversation between me and a friend of mine from seminary, Mary Balfour Dunlap. I was so grateful for this chance to catch up with an old friend and share about my ministry. If you’d prefer to just listen to the podcast, checkout the link below, or check out wherever you listen to podcasts.
The Rev. Erin Jean Warde Releases New Book (Seminary of the Southwest)
I am beyond honored to see that my alma mater, Seminary of the Southwest, shared a piece about Sober Spirituality!
“Since she was a student here, Erin Jean Warde had brought unique perspective and passion to ministry,” said the Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge. “In her direct and perceptive voice, Erin Jean makes perceptive observations about church culture and reveals the complex journey toward health and well-being. I am very proud of her!”
My deep gratitude to SSW and the Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge for these kind words of support. I absolutely love my seminary so this feels like a special blessing. <3
If you’re enjoying — or finished! — Sober Spirituality, consider taking my Discerning Sobriety course! You’ll get daily emails for 40 days full of spiritual practices to guide you through bringing discernment into your relationship with alcohol. It might surprise you how much the daily email can really encourage you and help you stay on the path.
Feel free to reply to this email if you have questions about the course!
summer book club
I will resume Comfortable with Uncertainty by Pema Chödrön book club this week, with a reflection on chapters 31-45.
Next week I am OOO again, but I look forward to sharing some thoughts on Pema’s work with you later this week. :)
Book club is for paid subscribers — $7/month — but if you need this right now and don’t have the cash, reply to this email and we can figure it out. I won’t be on e-mail until I return, but I’ll get back to you then, promise. 💛
If you want to join us, go ahead & subscribe!