Prayer Conference - Praying Congregations

• Location:
  
  All activities will take place at the W. B. George Centre.
  
  Kemptville Campus, University of Guelph,
  830 Prescott St. (at Concession Rd).
  Enter campus via Concession Rd.(opposite hospital) Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
  
  Registration desks opens at 6:00p.m. on Fri. May 13 in the W. B. George Centre.
  Friday night program begins at 7:15p.m.




• Conference Schedule may be download here (pdf document)

Bio and Bibliography

The Rev. Jane E. Vennard is the former Louise Warren Iliff Senior Adjunct Faculty in prayer and spirituality at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. She earned her B.A. from Wellesley College, her M.A.from Stanford University and her M.Div. from San Francisco Theological Seminary. She was called to a special ministry of teaching and spiritual direction and ordained in the United Church of Christ. Jane is a spiritual director in private practice. She has been a member of Spiritual Directors International since its foundation and is a frequent presenter at their international conferences. In addition to Iliff, Jane has taught at the Pacific School of Religion, Vancouver School of Theology, and Columbia Seminary. She is also a regular faculty presenter with The Upper Room Academy for Spiritual Formation and teaches classes in a variety of ecumenical settings, and leads retreats nationally. Jane lives in Denver with her husband Jim Laurie, a retired Presbyterian minister.

She is the author of numerous articles and six books, including:


Embracing the World: Praying for Justice and Peace (Jossey-Bass, 2002).

Winner of the Colorado Book Award!

Describing a model of prayer for justice and peace, Jane Vennard draws us into deeper relationship with God and the world. While we often think of "prayer" and "action" as opposites, Vennard presents them as complementary. Indeed, action is itself an approach to prayer, one of the five approaches that this book explores. The other four are intercession, renewal, transformation, and discernment, and the book devotes a chapter to each.

Embracing the World is written for the activist and the pray-er, as well as anyone who longs for justice and peace. It is recommended for small groups or individuals seeking vital connections between their prayer lives and their activism.


A Praying Congregation: The Art of Teaching Spiritual Practice (Alban Institute, 2005)

"I believe that God is calling all of us into deeper prayer and is longing for our congregations to become places of prayer," writes Jane E. Vennard. Pastors and others who want to develop their skills as teachers of prayer and spiritual practices will find in this book not only wisdom for themselves but easily accessible lesson plans, enabling them to share Vennard’s insights with others while infusing the activities with their own spirit and creative ideas.

Readers are invited to gently explore questions such as, who taught you to pray and how? What do you believe about prayer? What is your image of the God to whom you pray? And what is prayer anyway?


Be Still: Designing and Leading Contemplative Retreats (Alban Institute, 2000)

Many people long for a deeper relationship with God, yearning for silence in a noisy world and a respite from busyness. Written for lay and ordained leaders who wish to bring the gift of space and silence to members who feel called to the contemplative journey, the book introduces the purpose of retreats, provides a theological and biblical understanding of the model, and offers guidance for designing and leading these gatherings. Sample retreats, a design for home retreats, and suggested resources are included.


Praying for Friends and Enemies by Jane E. Vennard
(Augsburg Fortress, 2001)

This fine book explores many different dimensions of intercessory prayer. What is intercession? How do we pray for others, even our enemies? Does prayer change God’s will? In Praying for Friends and Enemies, Jane E. Vennard offers readers practical and inspired guidance in finding answers to these difficult questions of faith. By addressing these questions in the context of everyday experience, Vennard helps readers grow in their understanding of the ministry of intercessory prayer, others, and themselves.

"Our prayers do not bring God's love to the other, for God's love is always present and God is always waiting for people to respond. Our prayers do not force God to do anything to another. Our prayers lower the wall, so that people can experience what is already there. As the wall comes down, people might become more aware of God's love, more open to God's love, more willing to receive God's love." Jane E. Vennard


Companions in Christ: The Way of Prayer (Participant's Book)
By Jane E. Vennard, Stephen D. Bryant (2007)

The Way of Prayer is a 10-week small group resource designed to help people expand their understanding of the nature and practice of prayer. Many Christians grow up with a limited vision of what prayer is and how to pray. The Way of Prayer offers many forms to explore and practice, both individually and as a group. People with different temperaments, spiritual types, and learning styles will each find expressions of prayer that draw them closer to God. They will also learn to integrate body, mind, and spirit in prayer, and to live a more creative rhythm between the inner life and the outward journey of service.

This resource can help bring greater scope and vitality into the prayer life of your congregation. It is good for all seasons.

Sample copies of each of these books are available on loan through the Diocese of Ottawa Resource Centre.
Contact (613) 233-6271 ext 222.