Groundings is a monthly lecture series offered September through May by Sacred Ground in collaboration with Loyola Spirituality Center and the Ignatian Spirituality Center at Saint Thomas More. Groundings is open to anyone interested in deepening their spirituality, their capacity for deep listening, and their contemplative engagement in our world.
Join us October 15 as Rev. Dr. Janet Johnson presents Looking through an Obscure Lens to See Better: Personal and Systemic Cultural Work Related to Broadening and Deepening Our Relationship with the Divine.
“Who would ever think you could look through an obscure (foggy) lens and see things better? Obscure can be an adjective or a verb, and it means unknown, unclear, or difficult to understand. Obscure can also mean to hide, cover, or make indistinct. Through my personal and systemic processes, which helped me broaden and deepen my own relationship with the Divine, what I would have first defined as an obscure (foggy) lens ended up helping me to uncover beautiful insights about my journey. What seemed vague and hard to see at first would later aid my broadening and deepening, and in the process become clearer and more distinct.
Our time together will include topics from my work as an African American Woman of Faith that propelled me to look through an obscure lens to 1) become an even better and/or more effective spiritual director and teacher; and 2) Also, include some dialogue on how we can become advocates of culturally effective spiritual formation curriculums.”
Rev. Dr. Janet Johnson is an Ordained Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and serves as the Assistant to the Pastor at Wayman AME Church in north Minneapolis. Christian education is Janet’s passion where she has continually broadened and deepened her connection to the Divine as well as assisted others on their journey. She has served as the Christian Education Director at several levels of her domination: local church, Presiding Elder District, Annual Conference, and Episcopal District. Through her ministry, Connected To The Vine, Janet, preaches, teaches, facilitate retreats, offers spiritual direction and the Extended Ignatian Exercises, has developed faith-based curriculum, been a contemplative practice leader along with serving on the board of numerous nonprofit organizations. Janet is a part of the teaching team at Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality Spiritual Direction Formation Program. In 2025, Janet is starting as an adjunct professor for United Theological Seminary in their spiritual formation program.
Janet retired twice: from corporate life at General Mills in 2005 and retired from working in the K-12 public charter school system in 2014. Janet and her husband, Richard, have been married 41 years. They are empty nesters “lovin life!”
Education:
· 2022 – Living School Completion from Fr. Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation
· 2015 – Doctor of Education from the University of St. Thomas
· 2010 – Certificate in Spiritual Director from Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality
· 2001 – Master of Divinity with a Concentration in Christian Education – Bethel Theological Seminary
· 1988 – Bachelor’s Degree is in Business Administration – Metropolitan State University
Registration is helpful, but not required. A $20 suggested donation to help cover costs may be paid at the door or online.
We are happy to be able to offer a live Zoom link to those who are unable to attend this event in person. You will need to request the zoom link when you register.