Westina Matthews's guest appearances

Westina Matthews

SDI Encounters

Faithfully Memphis

Ed Bastian

Roshi Joan Halifax

Richard Rohr

Amy Eilberg

Joan Chittister

Sean Murphy

Quincy Jones

Lauren Tuchman

Chris King

Diane Millis

Carla Howard

Susan Nelson

Mirabai Starr

Kevin Brooks

Pat McCabe

OwlTail

In the June 2022 issue of Presence Journal, Dr Westina Matthews writes, “We will not attempt to convince another to adopt any view but rather offer a safe and sacred space to share knowledge and to engage in open and honest dialogue about what is usually considered to be a taboo topic.  In spiritual direction, often resisted is the topic of sex, sexuality, and sexual orientation. We have found that both spiritual director and spiritual directee tend to avoid these “taboos,” So why the silence? (We) are convinced it is due to the shame.”  How does one begin to overcome this shame?”  In this interview, we talk with Dr Matthews about how spiritual directors and companions can begin to create a safe, holy space in their sessions to allow for safe, brave conversations about sexuality. Approaches, icebreakers questions, acknowledging sexual confusion and harm, and understanding sexuality from a contemplative grounding are discussed. --- Dr. Westina Matthews, PhD, is an author, public speaker, retreat leader, and theologian. She is an adjunct professor at General Theological Seminary in the Center for Christian Spirituality in New York, New York, USA, where she teaches contemplative spiritual direction. Further reading and resources can be found at https://www.spiritualityandsexuality.org/ Dr. Westina’s website: Westina – Author (westinamatthews.com) --- Presence is the flagship publication of SDI. It comes out four times a year, and is an international journal on spiritual direction and companionship. Presence Journal is available in print and on the web to SDI Members.  Read the current issue on the web, with exclusive video interviews, here: Presence - 28.2 - June 2022 - SDI Companions Become a Member of SDI and support our work to bring spiritual direction and companionship to the world by clicking here: SDI Membership - Join the Community of Spiritual Companions (sdicompanions.org)

In the June 2022 issue of Presence Journal, Dr Westina Matthews writes, “We will not attempt to convince another to adopt any view but rather offer a safe and sacred space to share knowledge and to engage in open and honest dialogue about what is usually considered to be a taboo topic.  In spiritual direction, often resisted is the topic of sex, sexuality, and sexual orientation. We have found that both spiritual director and spiritual directee tend to avoid these “taboos,” So why the silence? (We) are convinced it is due to the shame.” How does one begin to overcome this shame?” In this interview, we talk with Dr Matthews about how spiritual directors and companions can begin to create a safe, holy space in their sessions to allow for safe, brave conversations about sexuality. Approaches, icebreakers questions, acknowledging sexual confusion and harm, and understanding sexuality from a contemplative grounding are discussed. --- Dr. Westina Matthews, PhD, is an author, public speaker, retreat leader, and theologian. She is an adjunct professor at General Theological Seminary in the Center for Christian Spirituality in New York, New York, USA, where she teaches contemplative spiritual direction. Further reading and resources can be found at <a href="https://www.spiritualityandsexuality.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.spiritualityandsexuality.org/</a> Dr. Westina’s website: <a href="https://westinamatthews.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Westina – Author (westinamatthews.com)</a> --- Presence is the flagship publication of SDI. It comes out four times a year, and is an international journal on spiritual direction and companionship. Presence Journal is available in print and on the web to SDI Members.  Read the current issue on the web, with exclusive video interviews, here: <a href="https://www.sdicompanions.org/media/presence/presence-27-4-december-2021/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Presence - 28.2 - June 2022 - SDI Companions</a> Become a Member of SDI and support our work to bring spiritual direction and companionship to the world by clicking here: <a href="https://www.sdicompanions.org/become-a-member/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SDI Membership - Join the Community of Spiritual Companions (sdicompanions.org)</a>

A Contemplative Approach to Sexuality - Dr. Westina Matthews

This morning on Faithfully Memphis, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Westina Matthews, editor of the upcoming book “This Band of Sisterhood: Black Women Bishops on Race, Faith, and the Church.” For over thirty-five years, Dr. Matthews has turned her passion and creativity into realities for so many in the community at-large. An accomplished author, sought-after public speaker, and retired Wall Street executive, Matthews has received numerous honors for her achievements in the boardroom and her commitment to community service.   FEATURED MUSIC:  "Higher Ground" by Stevie Wonder "New World Coming by Nina Simone "Laughter Just Like A Medicine" by BeBe Winans

This morning on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/faithfullymemphis?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZWZJuyKAjzqkQqYYMT9xGMcKUNr39-QAGAZQX_WIX7HrWO6-YwTjWZ0YE-dQhLfkKETGWtOB_f_nuzl4EpxLNMHQY-uRf5iB9nbAs4Z2gWB5JdmPo7nt4HqRZ0loSoOJm-fcRxFYd2fhL5KJ1GZ-B9VF_UZZ4VzOHeUmJf7wkBfhe9Ff9jYxYawBa2I5RUTv1g&amp;__tn__=*NK-R" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Faithfully Memphis</a>, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Westina Matthews, editor of the upcoming book “This Band of Sisterhood: Black Women Bishops on Race, Faith, and the Church.” For over thirty-five years, Dr. Matthews has turned her passion and creativity into realities for so many in the community at-large. An accomplished author, sought-after public speaker, and retired Wall Street executive, Matthews has received numerous honors for her achievements in the boardroom and her commitment to community service.  FEATURED MUSIC:  "Higher Ground" by Stevie Wonder "New World Coming by Nina Simone "Laughter Just Like A Medicine" by BeBe Winans

Bishop Phoebe in Conversation with Dr. Westina Matthews

Tommie Watkins

This week we continue with our four part series on the exploration of sexuality in spiritual companionship. Facilitated by Frederica Helmiere, we present to you a series of perspectives from several spiritual directors, pastors, and guides on how they approach sexuality in their roles as spiritual companions. These episodes are offered in conjunction with our upcoming webinar series Spiritual Companionship and the Divine Erotic – Ethics and Sexuality, which you can learn more about at sdicompanions.org. This week features a conversation with Frederica, professor and spiritual director Westina Matthews, and Episcopal Priest Father Tommie Watkins, who will be presenters at our upcoming Santa Fe conference.  -- Westina Matthews is an adjunct professor for the Center for Christian Spirituality at The General Theological Seminary, where she teaches contemplative spiritual direction. A graduate of the Spiritual Guidance program at the Shalem Institute, she is an author, public speaker, spiritual director and retreat leader whose practice reflects contemplative living through “holy listening.” Westina has contributed to several Forward Movement anthologies and was a frequent contributor to Sacred Journey: The Journal of Fellowship in Faith. Her newest book is Dancing from the Inside Out: Grace-filled Reflections on Growing Older (Church Publishing Inc., 2019).   Father Tommie Watkins, the first openly gay ordained black priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, is the Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama. A certified Spiritual Director and licensed master social worker (LMSW), he completed his joint Doctorate in Philosophy degree from the Universities of Alabama, Tuscaloosa and University of Alabama, Birmingham, School of Public Health. Father Tommie earned his Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from The General Theological Seminary. In his book Living Out Loud, he shares his struggle of self-acceptance. Father Tommie’s favorite quote is Dr. King’s: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” As such, Father Tommie is compelled to continue to Live Out Loud. --- Support for this podcast comes from SDI’s upcoming webinar, Spiritual Companionship and the Divine Erotic – Ethics and Sexuality In this two part webinar, we will explore embodied spirituality, sexuality and the divine erotic as they relate to the practice of spiritual companionship. Join us for this practice-based training designed for spiritual companions, guides and directors. Learn more at https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/sdi-webinar-series-spiritual-companionship-and-the-divine-erotic-ethics-and-sexuality/

This week we continue with our four part series on the exploration of sexuality in spiritual companionship. Facilitated by Frederica Helmiere, we present to you a series of perspectives from several spiritual directors, pastors, and guides on how they approach sexuality in their roles as spiritual companions. These episodes are offered in conjunction with <a href="https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/sdi-webinar-series-spiritual-companionship-and-the-divine-erotic-ethics-and-sexuality/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">our upcoming webinar series Spiritual Companionship and the Divine Erotic – Ethics and Sexuality, which you can learn more about at sdicompanions.org.</a> This week features a conversation with Frederica, professor and spiritual director Westina Matthews, and Episcopal Priest Father Tommie Watkins, who will be presenters at our <a href="https://www.sdievents.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">upcoming Santa Fe conference</a>.  -- Westina Matthews is an adjunct professor for the Center for Christian Spirituality at The General Theological Seminary, where she teaches contemplative spiritual direction. A graduate of the Spiritual Guidance program at the Shalem Institute, she is an author, public speaker, spiritual director and retreat leader whose practice reflects contemplative living through “holy listening.” Westina has contributed to several Forward Movement anthologies and was a frequent contributor to Sacred Journey: The Journal of Fellowship in Faith. Her newest book is Dancing from the Inside Out: Grace-filled Reflections on Growing Older (Church Publishing Inc., 2019).   Father Tommie Watkins, the first openly gay ordained black priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, is the Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama. A certified Spiritual Director and licensed master social worker (LMSW), he completed his joint Doctorate in Philosophy degree from the Universities of Alabama, Tuscaloosa and University of Alabama, Birmingham, School of Public Health. Father Tommie earned his Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from The General Theological Seminary. In his book Living Out Loud, he shares his struggle of self-acceptance. Father Tommie’s favorite quote is Dr. King’s: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” As such, Father Tommie is compelled to continue to Live Out Loud. --- Support for this podcast comes from SDI’s upcoming webinar, Spiritual Companionship and the Divine Erotic – Ethics and Sexuality In this two part webinar, we will explore embodied spirituality, sexuality and the divine erotic as they relate to the practice of spiritual companionship. Join us for this practice-based training designed for spiritual companions, guides and directors. Learn more at <a href="https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/sdi-webinar-series-spiritual-companionship-and-the-divine-erotic-ethics-and-sexuality/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.sdicompanions.org/product/sdi-webinar-series-spiritual-companionship-and-the-divine-erotic-ethics-and-sexuality/</a>

EP078 - Sexuality and Spiritual Companionship - Part 2 with Tommie Watkins and Westina Matthews