Here’s What You’ll Find Below:

—One List of Gatherings Happening This Month
—One Note
—What My Gatherings Will Invite You Into
—On Money and Why There Are Plenty of Free Registration Options
—Please Spread the Word

One List of Gatherings Happening This Month

January 2-30: Spiritual Direction for Writers® Co-Writing Sessions, Online
January 7: Retreat Room Launch and Open House, Birmingham
January 14: Paris Avenue Writers' Group with Tania De'Shawn, Birmingham
January 21: Thoughtful Readers Gathering with Cole Arthur Riley and Black Liturgies, Online, Free & Paid
January 25: HappyWomenDinners with Katie Horwitch and Want Your Self, Birmingham
January 27: Spiritual Direction for Writers® Revision Stations Designed by Lauren F. Winner, Online
January 27: Online Seminar for Moms Who Write with Sessions for All Caregivers & Those Who Have Experienced Lament and Loss around Motherhood, Online, Free & Paid
January 28: Thoughtful Readers Gathering with Amy Long and Codependence, Online, Free & Paid

One Note

When a friend came over for tea this past weekend, she told me it was the first time she’d received an invitation to be in someone’s home since before Covid. When I mentioned it on my Instagram stories, several people responded with similar experiences.

This makes me sad and curious (and other things!), but it also gives me encouragement for the direction I’ve decided to go for 2024 with more focus on gathering people together online, in my home, and beyond.

What My Gatherings Will Invite You Into

Sometimes it’s difficult to make decisions about when to show up, when to accept an invitation, when to sign up for that thing that sounds amazing but could actually be a huge waste of time, energy, attention.

I love the quote by Priya Parker at the bottom of this post about gatherings being temporary alternative worlds. I’ve been planning, hosting, and facilitating gatherings for more than 20 years around various alternative worlds and shared contexts. As I prepare for everything on my calendar for 2024, here are a few shared contexts I hope to establish for the alternative worlds I want to create. Here’s some of what I will be inviting people into:

—That place where art intersects with the soul.

—Meaningful encounters and conversations that hold space for nuance, hope, and repair.

—Nourishment amid the very real presence of chaos, tragedy, heartbreak, despair.

—Less loneliness in writing and creative work.

—Gatherings that focus on providing safe and nurturing spaces online and in person.

—So many good things for the heart, soul, mind, and body.

—Opportunities to receive comfort and move toward healing through engaging with different forms and genres of high art, low art, and all of the in between art.

On Money and Why There Are Plenty of Free Registration Options

Also, because my work is somewhere in between a for-profit, nonprofit, ministry, and passion project, I’ve accepted that my expenses will probably always be greater than my income. My husband’s income and occasional financial support from my mom fill the gaps for now. Maybe this will change in the future, but for now, I’m receiving their money to help with my business expenses with open hands and an open heart.

This is a very personal decision that gives me freedom and takes away a whole lot of unnecessary stress about money and breaking even and other stuff that I’d rather not worry about so I can have more time to do the work and writing I need and want to do. Yes. This is a privileged position to be in. Yes. I have thoughts. You probably do, too. Maybe we can have a Zoom gathering about it soon and talk about all of our thoughts.

Here’s how all of this affects you and others who may be interested in participating in some of the gatherings I offer: Most online seminars, retreats, and workshops during 2024 will have a freed option and different levels of paid options.

Please Spread the Word

Most people find out about my writing, spiritual direction, and gatherings via word of mouth. So if anything I’ve mentioned here sounds like a good fit for someone you know, I’d love for you to reach out to them and tell them all about it.

Y’all Are the Best
Thanks so much for reading! It’s an honor to do this work!

Peace,

Charlotte

That List of Gatherings One More Time

Charlotte Donlon’s writing and work are always rooted in helping her readers, audience, and clients notice how art and other good things help them belong to themselves, others, the divine, and the world. Charlotte is the founder of Thoughtful Books Etc.™, One O’Clock Central, Spiritual Direction for Writers® , Spiritual Direction for Belonging™, and Parenting with Art™. Her first book was The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. Her next book on Spiritual Direction for Writers will be published by Eerdmans in 2024 or 2025. Charlotte’s essays have appeared in The Washington Post, The Curator, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, The Millions, Mockingbird, and elsewhere. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and studied creative nonfiction with Paula Huston and Lauren F. Winner. She holds a certificate in spiritual direction from Selah Center for Spiritual Formation. To receive Charlotte’s latest updates, news, announcements, and all kinds of good things, subscribe to Thoughtful Readers Etc. + Five Good Things.