Center for Clergy & Congregational Wellness

06/12/2026

It is easy to think of growth as something personal.

A private journey. An internal process. A way of becoming more whole within yourself.

And while that is true, it is not the whole picture. Transformation is never meant to end with you.

READ MORE: https://www.clergyandcongregations.org/archive/may-centering-articles/formation-for-the-sake-of-others

06/09/2026

I was doing my garden check this morning and noticed yellowing leaves on some of my lavender plants (I'd already dead-headed the spent blooms). I'm a newbie gardener, and lavender can be a little persnickety, so I pulled up my app to make sure we weren't about to have a "situation."😊 Nope. The yellowing leaves were just old growth, and the plants were putting their energy into new leaves and buds. The best thing for me to do was to trim off those older leaves so that the plants could better focus their energy.

I was instantly reminded of Jesus' words in John 15: "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." (John 15:2)

In what part of your life may God be pruning away old things that are taking up too much of your energy in this season? Where are you seeing new growth that needs your focus?

Wishing you joy for the journey,
Dr. Phaedra

06/06/2026

Long before there were counseling offices, wellness programs, or support groups, there was song.

Throughout history, music has helped people survive hardship, express hope, strengthen community, and remember who they are. For Black communities in particular, music has served not only as artistic expression but also as a profound form of spiritual and emotional care.

READ MORE: https://www.clergyandcongregations.org/archive/june-centerings-articles/the-songs-that-carried-us

06/03/2026

One of the greatest challenges of human life is learning to live as our authentic selves.

From an early age, many of us receive messages—spoken and unspoken—about which parts of ourselves are acceptable and which are not. We learn to hide vulnerability, suppress emotions, downplay questions, mask differences, or present versions of ourselves that feel safer or more acceptable to others. While these strategies may help us navigate difficult environments, they often come at a cost.

The cost is disconnection.

READ MORE: https://www.clergyandcongregations.org/archive/june-centerings-articles/the-courage-to-be-fully-human

06/01/2026

Stay Connected with CCCW!

Receive Centerings, our monthly newsletter featuring:

• Reflections
• Resources
• Retreat & learning opportunities

Subscribe today! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/h2tQCfw/centerings

06/01/2026

The world is asking a lot of leaders right now.

Many of us are carrying responsibility, grief, urgency, and exhaustion while trying to remain faithful to the work we have been called to do.

This fall, join us for one of two six-week online learning experiences designed to nurture the inner life that sustains meaningful leadership.

🌿The Soul of Justice Work
Practices for staying human when the world is on fire.

🌿The Wounded Healer Revisited
Integrating self-care, vulnerability, and presence.

Registration is now open.

Learn more: https://www.clergyandcongregations.org/home

05/12/2026

05/11/2026

Small Shifts, Real Change

We often overestimate what transformation looks like. We imagine sweeping changes—clear turning points, dramatic decisions, a visible departure from who we used to be. We assume that if something is truly changing, it will feel significant and look obvious.

But real change is often much quieter than that.

READ MORE at https://www.clergyandcongregations.org/archive/may-centering-articles/small-shifts-real-change

05/05/2026

Integration is a Spiritual Discipline

When we think of spiritual disciplines, we often think of practices like prayer, fasting, study, or silence.

These are important. They create space for awareness, connection, and growth.

But there is another discipline that is often overlooked.

Integration.

To take what you have learned—what you have discerned, what has been revealed to you—and to live it consistently…that is sacred work.

Integration requires a different kind of attention. READ MORE at https://www.clergyandcongregations.org/archive/may-centering-articles/integration-is-a-spiritual-discipline