Give Me a Word Book Launch

Join us to celebrate the publication of Christine Valters Paintner’s newest book, Give Me a Word: The Promise of an Ancient Practice to Guide Your Year (Broadleaf Books).

During this free hour-long event, Christine will share the themes and invitations of the book and lead us in a guided meditation experience. Simon will offer the gift of music.

There will also be a chance to win a signed copy of the book or a place in the Give Me a World 2025 retreat for those who are able to join us live. The session will be recorded, so please register even if you aren’t free at that time.

Beginning in around the third century CE, a group of monastics known as the desert mothers and fathers retreated to the deserts of northern Egypt, Syria, and Palestine to pursue lives of silence and prayer. A key phrase, repeated often among the sayings of the desert mothers and fathers, is “Give me a word.” This tradition of asking for a word was a way of seeking something on which to ponder for many days, weeks, months–sometimes a whole lifetime.

Fast-forward many centuries to the present day, and we find the practice of seeking a word being reclaimed by the spiritually minded in new ways. For nearly two decades, Abbey of the Arts has posted an online invitation to its virtual community before Christmas, inviting people to listen for a word to guide them in the year ahead. Hundreds of participants look forward to the practice each year.

In Give Me a Word, spiritual director and artist Christine Valters Paintner offers thirty contemplative and creative practices inviting you to slow down and listen for a word to guide you through the year ahead. Instead of chasing after resolutions, Paintner encourages a more mindful approach–letting go of expectations and becoming open to wisdom from unexpected places.

Give Me a Word will gently lead you through the process of receiving your word, testing its resonance, and embracing its meaning. As you reflect on and live by this word, you’ll find it offering insight, clarity, and purpose throughout the year. Give Me a Word invites you to enter a season of deep listening, inner growth, and spiritual discovery. Slow down and listen for the word that is waiting for you, and prepare your heart to wrestle with your word in the season to come.

We will turn on closed captioning during the live Zoom session (which you are able to turn off in your settings if you find distracting) as well as provide a video recording with closed captioning available and a text transcript of the session within 24 hours. You will be sent a notification when this is ready to view.

You have lifetime access to all online programs.