Written by: United Theological Seminary November 22, 2017

MAKE WRITING A MEANINGFUL SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Theology

Every morning, Pam Wynn sets a timer for 20 minutes, pulls out her journal and her favorite pen, lights a candle, and writes.

“It’s a ritual,” she says. Pam is a poet and Adjunct Professor of Writing, Poetry, and Theological Interpretation at United. “Like liturgy, ritual is an ancient way to connect to the divine. Writing as a ritual reduces anxiety, promotes self-confidence, and increases one’s sense of empowerment.”

Pam teaches online workshops about writing–specifically journal writing–as a spiritual practice (including one that is being offered this spring through United). Below, she shares some of her best tips for getting started with a regular writing practice.

STEP 1: WRITE FOR YOURSELF

Writing as a spiritual practice isn’t just for professional writers. “A lot of people are nervous about writing,” Pam says. “But I use William Stafford’s definition: a writer is someone who writes.”

Pam encourages her students to see journal writing as something they do for themselves–not something they need to share with others (unless they’d like to). This helps ease some of the anxiety that people might bring to the practice of writing because they’re used to being judged or graded on it.

“My approach is to use journal writing as a way to explore what it is to be–to be alive, to expand our understanding of our place in the world as spiritual beings,” she says. “I’m focused on helping people develop the practice itself. This isn’t a test. Use it as it’s helpful to you.”

STEP 2: ESTABLISH A ROUTINE OR RITUAL

Just as Pam has a ritual that she’s established for her regular writing practice (hers is to write first thing in the morning, set a timer for 20 minutes, light a candle, and write by hand), she encourages others to find what works for them. “For some, it’ll be writing in the morning; for others, right before bed. Maybe it’s writing with a particular pen or using a typewriter. The important thing is to make it a regular practice.”

Pam draws a distinction between spiritual practice and practice in other contexts. “Often we think of practice as the repeated exercise of an activity with an eye toward ‘perfection,'” she says. “That’s not what spiritual practice is about. Spiritual practice is undertaken with the aim of helping us focus on our spiritual journey. Very intentional practices help us become open to the sacred encounter of the divine.”

STEP 3: MIX IT UP

Pam emphasizes that there’s a difference between journal writing as a spiritual practice and journal writing in general. “Regular” journal writing is more about recording one’s day-to-day activities and frustrations–something that Pam says can certainly be useful, but can also get a little boring.

To keep the practice fresh, meaningful, and engaging, Pam suggests mixing it up with a variety of different prompts and exercises. Some suggestions include:

Write a response to a poem, photograph, or piece of art that struck you
Write a dialogue between two people (who aren’t you) who are affected by a situation you are trying to understand
Write a reflection on a scriptural passage
Choose a theme like “grace” or “suffering” and freewrite whatever comes to mind
Write a letter to someone about an emotionally charged topic, but don’t send it
Draw in your journal
Write in the third person about an experience you had to practice “altered perspective”
Write a prayer or meditation
Write a myth
Write a poem
Make a list

STEP 4: TRUST THE PROCESS

“The nature of practice is that it’s not always going to be fruitful, but that’s okay–because it will be the next day, or the day after that,” Pam says. “Trust the process. Writing helps us pay attention to what’s going on, to know ourselves, to live intentionally.”

And to Pam, that’s the most important part of writing as a spiritual practice. “The fact is, I’m going to die one day,” she says. “I want to know everything I can about being alive.”

TRY IT FOR YOURSELF

Here’s a writing prompt that Pam wrote for her students in her last Writing as a Spiritual Practice workshop. Give it a try!

Silence: List(s)

In Ecclesiastes 3:7 we read there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” There are times when we must speak up for ourselves or others, for as Audre Lorde wrote, “Your silence will not protect you” (Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches). However, there are times in our lives when we must be silent, for as Leonardo da Vinci claimed, “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”

Make two lists:

List the times when you have refused to be silent.
List the times when you have purposely kept silent

Or:

List the times when you should not be silent.
List the times when you should be silent.

Explore More Articles

January 22, 2026

Statement by President Molly T. Marshall on Community Response Efforts

These are fraught days for us. Those who call the Twin Cities home persist under the pall of a federal occupation, bracing each day for word of a new atrocity. In the weeks since an ICE agent killed Renee Good, we have seen the good people of Minneapolis and St. Paul show up for one another as armed federal agents patrol our communities, violating due process and cruelly abducting thousands of people. I think often of our friends and neighbors—including some members of the United community—as they live under the acute terror ICE has wrought on their neighborhoods. Many rely on the aid of a trusted few to meet their basic needs. Facing an oppressive force, our communities have turned outward with resilience, toward one another, embodying anew the command to “love your neighbor as yourself.” I have been deeply moved by the courage of my neighbors and, in particular, United’s students, alums, trustees, and faculty and staff. They model solidarity despite extreme cold, attending vigils, leading music, creating art, and keeping watch with whistles over their neighborhoods while ICE patrols their streets. Chaplains involved in interfaith organizations are supporting local demonstrations and assisting in de-escalation efforts. Lay leaders, prompted to care for their vulnerable neighbors, are picking up groceries, taking kids to school, and meeting material needs in a vast network of mutual aid. Indeed, this is servant leadership. This week, clergy and faith leaders of myriad traditions are answering MARCH’s call to resist this importunate occupation and bear witness to its harm. With members of our United community engaged in rapid response efforts, the seminary will be closed on Friday, January 23. And, in solidarity with fellow clergy and elected officials, I reaffirm my call that ICE must immediately end its terrorizing of the Twin Cities, leave Minnesota altogether, and bring to justice the agent who killed Ms. Good. Social transformation is one of United’s longstanding pillars, and we are seeing the real-world witness of faith and community leaders equipped for the work of justice and peace. In the words of Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis, director of our Social Transformation Program, “Faith leaders are shaping Minnesota’s response to be highly ethical and effective.” The common good, though under grave threat, is in the committed stewardship of our very best. In the days ahead, may we be courageous in our convictions for the love and dignity of our neighbors. Rev. Molly T. Marshall, Phd President About United Founded by the United Church of Christ (UCC) as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the creative edge of progressive theological thought and leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to train leaders who, through the eyes of faith, engage in the dismantling systems of oppression, exploring multi-faith spirituality, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Media Contact Nathanial Green (he/him), Director of Marketing and Communications United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities press@unitedseminary.edu • 651-255-6138

Lauren Busey (’07) Ministers to a New Beloved Community at Pickledilly Skokie

Lauren Busey (’07) grew up in the Lutheran church, earned an undergraduate degree from Luther College, and thought she would probably attend a Lutheran seminary. Then, at a Luther College women’s retreat, Rev. Dr. Christie Cozad Nueger (’80)— Professor Emerita of Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Theology (1992–2005)—was the featured speaker and knew Lauren’s campus pastor. “So,” Lauren remembers, “we just kind of got to talking, and within a couple of weeks, I was enrolled at United.” United “was a good fit,” Lauren asserts. She found a welcoming community of fellow students and treasured professors. Those who had the greatest impact include Rev. Dr. Jann Cather Weaver (Associate Professor Emerita of Worship, and Theology and the Arts, 2001–2012), Dr. Marilyn Salmon† (Professor Emerita of New Testament Theology, 1989–2014), and Dr. Carolyn Pressler (Professor Emerita of Biblical Interpretation, 1990–2020). After seminary, Lauren accepted a call back home in Evanston, Illinois, at the church where she grew up, Trinity Lutheran Church. Despite being a bit apprehensive about serving as the director of Faith Formation at her home church, Lauren found that the parishioners were warmly welcoming and supportive. She’s been there ever since and notes that the flexibility of the position allowed for a positive work-life balance. Lauren and her wife are raising two children. Just this year, however, Lauren, along with her wife and two business partners, embarked on a new venture—and in February 2025, the four co-owners opened a new state-of-the-art pickleball court in Skokie, Illinois. Dubbed Pickledilly Skokie, the new indoor space features 11.5 courts under high ceilings, lockers, a lounge area, and a pro shop. Plus, the venue is in the same complex as Sketchbook Brewing Company and has abundant free parking. So what happened? “I think my wife would say that I’ve always been the big idea person,” Lauren explains. Usually, she continues, Amy “nods and smiles and keeps on going,” but this time she agreed with the idea. Both Lauren and Amy are avid pickleball players, and Lauren says she found that the activity was much more of a “community-based sport.” Community was the key. As Lauren stated in a July 18, 2025, interview for Ryan Glatzhofer’s The Locals: Stories of Courageous Entrepreneurs, “One of the things that has always been a passion of mine is bringing people together.” Going a step further, she said more recently, “One of our pillars is that this is a safe space, and we are welcoming here.” How did United prepare Lauren for entrepreneurship? “United was really helpful to me in expanding my worldview and my understanding of diversity and not assuming you know where people are coming from.” As for the connection to ministry, Lauren asserts, “We’re still grounded in the same way of taking care of people, and loving people, and meeting them where they are.” __________________________ † of blessed memory

Images of Hope: Advent in Art

Art has the tremendous power to restore us in a time when our world seems to make no sense and we need a moment of respite and encouragement from our daily struggles. A single photograph of a flower or a laughing child can buoy our spirit to carry on. (more…)