A New Song to Sing – Breast Cancer as Journey of Spirit
A New Song to Sing: Breast Cancer as Journey of Spirit invites women — whether newly diagnosed or long term survivors — to share their stories in a context of spiritual growth and support. This one-of-a-kind resource provides consistent structure so that small groups can lead themselves through seven sessions of reflection and healing.
Author Linda C. Loving was a parish pastor when she received her own breast cancer diagnosis and became aware of what an isolating journey the treatment and recovery process can be. Knowing that one in eight women will receive this diagnosis, Linda became committed to helping survivors gather in faith-based groups for inspiration, story telling, and soul searching. Two successful pilot projects, based in church congregations but open to the broader community, have been conducted in the past year. There are many potential settings in which women can gather to participate in this encouragement as they name themselves, name the Holy and seek personal spiritual wholeness.
The pink marketing flurry around breast cancer can often be a distraction and even a denial. Survivors often feel pressured to cheerfully “return to normal” as quickly as possible. A New Song to Sing allows a deeper look at life and legacy and invites women to claim a new song in their continuing recovery.
The structure and expertise provided by A New Song to Sing allow the groups to lead themselves in this process, without the need for outside authority. Clergy, chaplains, parish nurses, caregivers, women’s groups and community programmers will no doubt welcome this option as they plan opportunities for their organizations.
A New Song to Sing will be a helpful resource to each woman, long beyond the specified seven group sessions.
About Linda Loving (Albuquerque, New Mexico Author)
Linda C. Loving, owner and executive director of Spirited Voices LLC, now resides in Santa Fe, NM where, surrounded by astonishing and ancient beauty, she is claiming both her inner cowgirl and her inner mystic.
As a Presbyterian pastor, Linda led and loved several congregations around the country, taught preaching at McCormick Theological Seminary, and most recently served as chaplain in a retirement home. She has led retreats and spoken at many national gatherings. Before attending seminary, Linda served in a variety of roles in a Milwaukee hospital, while completing graduate work in hospital administration.
Linda’s undergraduate training in Theatre at the University of Michigan fueled other career endeavors. She has performed in professional and amateur companies in the Midwest and recently made her Santa Fe debut as Scrooge! In addition, for over 26 years and 90 performances she traveled the country with the one-woman drama JULIAN by J. Janda, which she also filmed in England. The wisdom of medieval mystic Julian of Norwich has had a profound impact on Linda’s journey and theology.
After surgery and treatment for breast cancer in 2010, Linda began writing her newly released book A New Song to Sing: Breast Cancer as Journey of Spirit.
Linda’s gypsy spirit has led her to almost 80 countries, with a particular soft spot in her heart for Upper Normandy where she has spent time writing the last three summers. When at home she loves good books, movies, great restaurants, art history and, to be honest, HGTV.