Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 
1 Thessalonians 5:11

In these passages and many others in the New Testament, Paul charges Christ-followers to take up the work of supporting and caring for one another in the Body of Christ. In response to that charge, for more than 10 years CESA has offered an annual Head of School and spouse retreat providing time for rest, reconnection and encouragement. This has also proven to be a meaningful time to gather with others who understand the unique experience of being a Head of School family. 

With that in mind, CESA has committed to specifically supporting the women and men who are married to current Heads of School at CESA schools. Knowing that we are equipped to encourage and comfort one another because of the encouragement and comfort we have received, CESA spousal care will be built on sharing our experiences, resources and encouragement with one another as well as offering friendship along the way. By recommending personal spiritual formation practices, sharing creative ideas, one-on-one connection and offering helpful resources, CESA spousal care will provide uncommon assistance to the women and men in this specific and unique position.  


Initial Offerings:

  • Quarterly personal contact
  • Coordinate/facilitate peer-to-peer connections between HOS spouses
  • Best Practices Forum on private side of webpage
  • Regular (bi-monthly) Biblically based encouragement

Resources:

  •  Books to Soothe and Strengthen Your Soul (Non-Fiction)
    • Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop
    • Deeper by Dane Ortland
    • Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louis Giglio
    • Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
    • Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortland
    • Get Your Life Back by John Elderidge
    • He Calls Me Friend by John Perkins
    • A Habit Called Faith by Jen Pollock Michel
    • In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen
    • Invitation to Silence and Solitude by Ruth Haley Barton
    • The Making of an Ordinary Saint by Nathan Foster
    • The Sacred Year by Michael Yankoski
    • The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb by Kyle Strobel & Jamin Goggin
    • Unoffendable by Brant Hansen
    • The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan
    • Invitation to the Jesus Life by Jan Johnson
    • Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves
    • Arranging our Lives for Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Haley Barton
  • Books to Soothe and Strengthen Your Soul (Fiction)
    • Diary of a Pastor’s Soul by M. Craig Barnes
    • Sensible Shoes (Series) by Sharon Garlough Brown 
    • Shades of Light (Series) by Sharon Garlough Brown
  • Podcasts to Soothe and Strengthen Your Soul
    • Friends in Formation – Renovare
    • Things Above – James Bryan Smith
    • The Bible Project (podcast and app)
    • Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership--Ruth Haley Barton
    • Daily Lectio Divina--Abiding Way Ministries
    • Potter's Inn Soul Care Conversations--Potter's Inn

 

Lisa Giller,
Director of Spousal Care

This resource is available to all Heads’ Spouses from CESA Member of Council and Candidate Schools. To get connected to Lisa Giller, Director of Spousal Care, and other Head of Schools’ spouses, contact her at [email protected].