For some time now, I have been aware that I needed to create a change of pace for myself. Over the last three years, I have sent a weekly newsletter to our community, which has been both a personal discipline and a labor of love. It has kept me writing, helped me stay in touch, and energized my work.
Over the last few months, however, I have been locked down at my computer for many reasons. Mostly, and I am so excited about this, but I find myself in what I hope is my last year of my doctoral work. I am writing furiously most days, on various projects for my doctorate, as well as for more than ten small groups for which I create original curriculum. This is the current gif of my life:
So I am practicing what I preach. Self care and self love are primary teachings for me in my groups these days. Slowing down and saying yeses and nos with care. Living a more Sabbath focused lifestyle. It is time to make some changes - and those are changes I want our community to see. So - I am sharing and hopefully modeling some "let it go" practices that I so encourage in our community.
As of today, my newsletters will begin to come every other week rather than weekly. I hope this will still keep my updates and timely, while allowing me to focus my writing in these days to complete my Doctor of Ministry requirements including my doctoral project. This will help me meet those goals and hopefully graduate June 2025! (I could definitely use some encouragement in this process - all is welcome! Whew!)
I will also, at least temporarily, be releasing my blog. If you would like to be a guest writer, I would welcome solicitations and the opportunity to raise other voices. You don't have to be a professional writer - just willing to share your voice. Original thoughts, testimonials about your experience in our groups, encouragement for friends who gather here - I'd love to hear from you and I'm happy to help with any questions. Please just email me at brandicdiamond@gmail.com to talk further. In the meantime, I'll be sharing other articles of interest or suggested books when appropriate.
One more thing - here is some BIG NEWS that I have been teasing on a very slow, soft roll out. I will make a bigger announcement in the following weeks, but my ministry will change names from my own name to Sanctuary Groups over the course of this fall. The name change has already been made officially, so you'll be seeing more about this soon, including a new webpage. In the meantime, connect with us on our Sanctuary Groups Instagram page - things are just getting started there. But this work was always meant to be bigger than me, and now is the time for that change as well. I am thrilled about the way things are going - so much more to come soon.
If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts, use that same email and send them my way. Many of my small groups are closing doors today, and throughout the month of August - I hope to see you in person or online sometime soon. Until then - thank you so much for being part of this sweet community of friends. I don't take that lightly. I'm so grateful for you.
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