Twelve Steps to Religionless Spirituality with Ward Ewing
The Very Reverend Ward B. Ewing is former Dean and President of The General Theological Seminary in New York City. Before that role, he served as Rector (senior pastor) of Trinity Episcopal Church in Buffalo, which I attended with my mother when I was in high school. A thoughtful leader, a compelling preacher, and an enlightened teacher, Father Ewing had a deep influence on me as a teenager. His example of honoring young people with real respect was a model for me when I became a teacher.
Dr. Ewing has met in and with Alcoholics Anonymous groups as a non-alcoholic for more than four decades, also serving as Trustee and Chair of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous for the U.S. and Canada. In addition to the book that grows out of that experience, Twelve Steps to Religionless Spirituality: the Power of Spirituality with or without God, which we discuss in this episode, he has also written one volume each on the Book of Job and the Book of Revelation. (Image courtesy of Rosella Ewing Terry)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The book we discuss today is available through a variety of platforms, but you can support independent bookstores by clicking the button below. If you’re in Western New York, stop by Fitz Books to get your copy.
Throughout the book, Dr. Ewing notes that he is writing from his own experience with A.A., not as an official representative of the organization. For more information and resources from Alcoholics Anonymous, visit their website.
As we discuss in the episode, listening skills are critical for the development of trust in groups. For a few pointers on active listening, check out my 2016 article linked below.
MUSIC NOTES
Featured music in this episode comes from Joshua Lerner, both a former student and former guitar teacher of mine, who occasionally plays more than one part on original arrangements of “Careless Love,” “Deportee,” and “Frieght Train.” Josh is now a progressive educator and school leader in Chicago. When he learned that Ward is an aficionado of the guitar, he was delighted to have his music included in the episode.
Joshua Lerner (image courtesy of the artist)
If you’re in or near Chicago, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Richmond, Millersville (PA), or Vienna (VA), you’ve got a chance to see Shayfer James live in concert this spring! Shayfer has graciously permitted me to use special instrumental versions of his songs “Weight of the World” and “Villainous Thing” as intro and outro music, respectively, since I began this podcast in 2017. Click here for Spring 2022 dates and venues.
SPECIAL THANKS
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Current supporters include: Aaron Bartley, Gilberto Belaval, Melinda Bihn, Gretchen & David Brand, Jenni Brand, Jake Brown, Patty Cruice, Ryan Daly, David Davis, James Duggan, Dave Eisenberg, Anna Falicov, Errick L. Greene, Jonathan Hiam, Gregory Horn, Janice & John & Ava & Brooke Horn, Robyn Lee Horn, Greg Jackson, Tim Lear, Janet & Robert Lee, Kristen Lee, Tom Loughlin, Carol MacVey, Linda B. Matt, Ellen McLaughlin, J. W. Gregg Meister, Miriam Meister, Sarah & Peter Meister, Dwight Nolt, Julia Olff, John Opera, Gail Radford, Gail & Frank Richeson, Stacy Rodgers, Elizabeth & Terry Rowlands, Paula Roy, Marue Walizer, John B. Webb, Keith Zemsky.
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A still from my Zoom conversation with Ward Ewing on 8 March 2022
