Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons

by Jan L. Richardson

"Within the struggle, joy, pain, and delight that attend our life, there is an invisible circle of grace that enfolds and encompasses us in every moment. Blessings help us to perceive this circle of grace, to find our place of belonging within it, and to receive the strength the circle holds for us." - from the IntroductionBeginning in Advent and moving through the sacred seasons of the Christian year, Circle of Grace offers Jan's distinctive and poetic blessings that illuminate the treasures each season offers to us.

Genres: Poetry, Spirituality, Faith, Nonfiction, Theology, Devotional, Prayer

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2015

About the author

Jan is an artist, writer, and ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. She serves as director of The Wellspring Studio, LLC, and travels widely as a retreat leader and conference speaker. Known for her distinctive intertwining of word and image, Jan’s work has attracted an international audience drawn to the welcoming and imaginative spaces that she creates in her books, online blogs, and public events.

A native Floridian several generations over, Jan grew up in Evinston, a small community near the university town of Gainesville. The rural landscape, community traditions (including the annual Evinston Thanksgiving dinner in the park that has been taking place for more than fifty years), and lifelong relationships fostered a rich sense of place, imagination, and ritual that continue to shape Jan's life and infuse her work.

Jan is the Visiting Artist at First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, Florida, serves on the faculty of the Grünewald Guild in Washington State, and is part of Saint Brigid of Kildare Monastery, a community that draws from Methodist and Benedictine traditions. She makes her home in Central Florida with her husband and frequent collaborator, the singer/songwriter Garrison Doles.

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely piece of comfort. I attended a sermon that read from this and just had to have a copy.

[Beth]

One can never "finish" a book of poetry :-)

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book one finishes. It’s a book you keep close by when you need some spiral comfort. The author starts with Advent and has a blessing for almost every day in the liturgical year. Beautifully written

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been using this book as a resource forever, but had never read it all straight through until this liturgical year. Simply the best.

[Harry Allagree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've rarely read a book that, even before finishing, I wanted to re-read! This collection of poems, written by a woman & Methodist clergy person who was married in 2010 & was widowed in 2013, was gifted to me a few months ago by the young rector of the parish which I attend...and what a gift! Jan Richardson strikes me, not only as a superb poet, but also as an amazing human being. She speaks from experience & depths which resonate with just about every possible emotion of the human spirit. As a retired clergy person myself, who often uses the words "blessing" or "bless", this book has given me a far deeper insight into what those words convey.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

These blessings, in the form of poems, take you through much of the liturgical year, scattering bits of light on the path ahead. I'll leave you with Jan Richardson's own wise words:

There is so much
I want to say,
as if saying
could prepare you
for this path,
as if there were anything
I could offer
that would make your way
less circuitous,
more smooth.

Once you step out,
you will see for yourself
how nothing could have
made you ready for this road
that will take you
from what you know
to what you cannot perceive
except, perhaps,
in your dreaming
or as it give a glimpse
in prayer.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan Richardson is an artist, poet, and minister. In this book, she has blessings for the various seasons of the church year. Reading these blessings, I felt blessed. They are a cool drink on a hot day, balm for the soul, encouraging words for dark days, difficult days, and days of joy.

Here's part of A Blessing for Traveling in the Dark:

But this is what
I can ask for you:

That in the darkness
there be a blessing.
That in the shadows
there be a welcome.
That in the night
you be encompassed
by the Love that knows
your name.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautifully written... the "seasons” refer not to the natural world but the seasons of the church. It was interesting and a learning experiece for me as I was not raised with any religious dotrine or custom. Each blessing is something you can take into your heart even tho it may not evoke memories of the church you grew up in... it is pure poetry from sart to finish and I find it can be used for a solemn moment of contemplation and uplift.

[Jodie Pine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My spiritual director has shared blessings with me from this book that I found to be rich and profound. I just got my own copy and love everything in it. Highly recommend.

"Blessings enable us to perceive the ways the sacred inhabits the ordinary, impressing upon us that every moment and each place lies within the circle of God's care."

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book of blessings. I’ve found many of them personally touching or inspiring or challenging. I’ve also used a few of them for baby shower cards and one for an Ash Wednesday handout. I’m looking forward to reading more of Jan Richardson’s books of blessings.

[Nancy Schalk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a gift from my best friend and I could see her celebrating every page. I was so blessed by reading this and have marked several that I know I will return to for sharing with others and for being blessed by once again.

[Kayla Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend for those who love the rhythm of benedictions.

[Geri Degruy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman writes amazing blessings!!! Although these are written for specific seasons of the church year, these blessings can touch you at any time.

[Rose Kovacs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read anything like this. Raw and lyrical blessings that leave light that stays. Such deep resonance for me.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan's story and words hold us in a place of comfortable surrender to the love of God and the chronic conditions of life. I've always loved Jan's poetry and look forward to the next book too.

[Emily Steffel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy. Magical. Superb.

[Trudy Franzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful poems for the Liturgical Seasons of the Church

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Religious poetry arranged by the Christian calendar. Some poems are better than others. Reading them all over two days was too fast.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words-- such beautiful poetry.

[Rachel Hafler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, rhythmic collection of blessings that follow the liturgical calendar. I love Jan Richardson's work.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely book. I will start rereading it as I go through each season of the church calendar.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just absolutely beautiful. I return to this book again and again.

[debbie-anne Hogarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, beautiful written. Used as part of my Easter reflection.
I did purchase it because of the art on the front... but the book contains such much more.

[Linda Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan's books are a gift! My only disappointment was the book didn't include more blessings for "Ordinary Time".

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just lovely.

[Mark Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully, deeply human.

[Angchronicles]

Richardson explains the word and the concept of "blessings" with concert examples.

[Marcia McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to pick up and reread with each season to see what new insights arise.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book to read over and over.

[Brandi Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything by Jan Richardson is stunningly beautiful.