Acclaimed Celtic Spirituality Scholar John Philip Newell Lecture

The Rev. John Philip Newell, internationally acclaimed for his work in the field of Celtic spirituality, will make speaking appearances in Kenilworth, Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14.

Newell — a poet, musician, scholar and teacher — currently serves as Companion Theologian for the American Spirituality Center of Casa del Sol in New Mexico. A Church of Scotland minister, he is the former warden of Iona Abbey in Scotland and is known for his passion for peace in the world and for harmony between our great spiritual traditions. His books include “Listening for the Heartbeat of God,” “Christ of the Celts,” “Sounds of the Eternal” and his newest work, “Praying with the Earth: A Prayer Book for Peace.”

Newell will discuss “A Celtic Spirituality for Today: The Spirit, the Earth and the Human Soul,” Friday, May 13, 7-9 p.m., Kenilworth Union Church, 211 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth. The program will continue Saturday, May 14, 9 a.m.-noon at Church of the Holy Comforter, 222 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth. Copies of his books will be available and he will sign copies at Friday’s event. Both locations are a short walk from the Kenilworth Metra station.

Tickets to attend both days’ events are $50, or $30 for students. Friday-only tickets are $25 ($15 for students), and Saturday-only tickets are $30 ($20 for students). To register, go to www.seabury.edu and click on “events” or contact Susan Quigley at 847-328-9300, extension 45. Register early as space is limited for this popular program.

In January, Rev. Newell launched a “Praying for Peace initiative. Throughout 2011 he will pray and chant for peace in more than 25 locations in the United States, Canada, and the UK. The launch coincided with the release of his new CD of meditative chants, Chanting for Peace, a companion to his book, Praying with the Earth”. The new book and CD use words from the Quran, the Hebrew Scriptures and teachings of Jesus to pray for peace and to strengthen our commitment to peacemaking.

Canadian by birth, Rev. Newell lives in Edinburgh with his family where he undertook his doctoral research in Celtic Christianity. Since then he has played a leading role on both sides of the Atlantic in, “the re-birthing of a creation spirituality for today.” More about John Philip Newell is at www.jphilipnewell.com.

Celtic spirituality has long held reverence for creation and the Celtic style of prayer is known for engaging imagination through visual and spatial imagery, as well as emphasizing the life of God within creation. These prayers address more than the transcendent and ultimate questions that most religions define, but also the mysteries and challenges of everyday life.

Newell’s program is sponsored by Christ Church, Winnetka; Church of the Holy Comforter, Kenilworth; Kenilworth Union Church, Kenilworth; and Seabury Western Theological Seminary, located on Northwestern University’s campus in Evanston. Register early as space is limited for this popular program.