Poetry, Scripture, & Imagination: A Workshop for Preachers with Amy Peterson

How can poetry — its logics and leaps, its play, its perspicacity, its force and vulnerability, its attention to sound and image, its surprise and its bravery — serve the sermon?

Each week, as clergy prepare their sermon, they likely face a number of challenges: With a text you know chapter and verse, how do you find something new and compelling? And, once you’ve discovered your question or perspective, how do you effectively share what you’ve found?

In this workshop, Amy Peterson will draw from her experience as a preacher and writer — and on Ignatian contemplation; the midrashic practice of close reading; and the use of literary techniques like the expansive use of figurative language — to offer some new possible pathways into exploring the text and then compelling your listeners to join you on that journey.

Together, we’ll strive to step outside the rush of ordinary time to create a space of inspiration and contemplation, with a blend of close reading, open exchange, guided writing exercises, and discussions of how craft can help us embody and communicate even the most abstract ideas.

Poets are welcome but no knowledge of poetry required. Up to 30 pages of pre-reading may be required in the month before the workshop gathers. “Poetry, Scripture, & Imagination” is primarily a generative workshop — we’ll read and write and ponder, and generally have our imaginations stimulated — not a critique workshop.

The Collegeville Institute will cover travel expenses to and from the workshop within the continental United States, all workshop fees, and room and board. International travel costs, and travel from Hawaii and Alaska, may be shared between the Collegeville Institute and the workshop participant. Those who join the workshop will be expected to reside at the Collegeville Institute throughout the entire week.

Amy Peterson is both a preacher and a writer. As a preacher, she is the Associate Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Asheville, NC.  As a writer, her work explores the intersections of faith, language, and culture. Amy studied English (B.A., Texas A&M), Intercultural Studies (M.A., Wheaton), and Creative Writing (M.F.A., Seattle Pacific University) and obtained her Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School. Prior to joining the Trinity staff, she taught creative writing, intercultural communication, and interdisciplinary honors courses at a Christian college in the Midwest. Her most recent book, Where Goodness Still Grows, invites conversation about Christian virtue and public life.

Applications are closed for this workshop.