Rev. Dr. Glen Stoudt on “A Lifestyle of Sharing God’s Goodness”
Retired from congregational ministry with the United Church of Canada, the Rev. Dr. Glen Stoudt serves as a spiritual director in his ongoing ministry in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. In this podcast episode, he shares with Pam what it means to live “a lifestyle of sharing God’s goodness."
ABOUT GLEN STOUDT
Rev. Dr. Glen Stoudt joins Pam to talk about sharing God’s goodness in the world. Glen is retired from congregational ministry with the United Church of Canada. He spends his time as a spiritual director and volunteer for various charities. He and wife Lynn live in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Glen also volunteers with The Interchurch Refugee Group which he mentions on the podcast. Thirty-two years of continuous service and advocacy for refugees. We settle one person, family, or family group at a time, offering all the aspects of community sponsorship – providing financial support for one full year; setting up the family with housing, furniture, household goods, and clothing; helping the newcomers navigate getting their needed documentation, making appointments, and understanding and accessing our medical and dental systems and our educational system; and organizing help with childcare, credentialling, up-grading and employment.
WHAT PAM AND GLEN DISCUSS ON THIS EPISODE:
1. We’ll begin by recalling how Pam and Glen met and how engaging in a ministry of spiritual direction is a good example and expression of the spiritual longing to share God’s goodness with those we accompany.
2. Exploring the origins of this practice in Glen’s life... when did he first sense this direction in his life, ministry, and how it evolved.
3. Why this lifestyle choice feels so important to Glen and examples of how this works in his life.
4. How sharing God’s goodness becomes an intentional daily choice for Glen.
5. How it feels when it’s not working well for him… when it’s difficult to channel goodness.
6. Suggesting guidelines on practicing the sharing goodness lifestyle.
GLEN’S FAVORITE HYMN VERSE:
Spirit, Open My Heart, by Hymn
Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living,
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving.
Spirit, open my heart.
Spirit, Open My Heart
Ruth Duck, 1994
copyright, The Pilgrim Press, 1996