What Is RE-HAT?
RE-HAT (Reading Experiences for Hope and Transformation) promotes kindness, compassion, and spiritual literacy development in the lives of children and adults through the power of poetry and story.
RE-HAT includes multiple components:
- An Acts of Kindness/AoK YouTube Channel to inspire children and their grown-ups to read wonderful picture books that encourage acts of kindness in our lives and communities;
- Online community gatherings to provide spaces for reading and writing poetry and children's literature tied to spiritual literacy practices;
- 1:1 sessions and workshops to model ways to read picture books with children and to teach children about spiritual literacy through children's literature;
- Book lists and curricula to teach children about the Alphabet of Spiritual Literacy; and a
- RE-HAT blog to share reflections on and resources for our life/spiritual journeys.
Currently, all RE-HAT gatherings, sessions, and resources are FREE and offered with love at no charge.
What Is Spiritual Literacy?
As defined by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, spiritual literacy is "the ability to read the signs that point to the active presence of Spirit within and around us. This skill can be applied in all life experiences to discern a world full of meaning and connection." Jay McDaniel defines spiritual literacy as "a kind of emotional intelligence."
I understand spiritual literacy as the core wisdom found in multiple faith and religions traditions, and across multiple spiritual paths. Rather than viewing our spirituality as a separate component of our lives, spiritual literacy helps us to live our lives so that we can embody "love in action."
RE-HAT focuses on the development of spiritual literacy through reading and writing poetry, reading and discussing children's literature, and implementing spiritual practices connected to the 37 "letters" of the Alphabet of Spiritual Literacy (from Spirituality and Practice). As the Brussats explain, "the 37 letters…are universal spiritual practices in every transformative tradition...Each has been carefully vetted and validated through a deep study of the world's religious, spiritual, psychological, and cultural traditions.”
Through noticing, naming, and nurturing the practices or "tools" aligned with the Alphabet of Spiritual Literacy, we can build and enrich our own lives and the lives of others. In so doing, we deepen our focus on what is sacred and essential; and further our focus on what brings us purpose, understanding, and meaning.
Who Am I?
I am Ann Harrington, a former elementary school classroom teacher, reading specialist, English as a second language teacher, and professor of reading education. As I emerge into my "second half of life," I am exploring ways to integrate contemplative and other spiritual practices with my passion for and knowledge of literacy and literacy education.
I have always been an avid reader and writer, and consider reading and writing to be among my primary spiritual practices. I have found implementing spiritual literacy practices in my own life to be of great benefit. I currently serve as a spiritual literacy facilitator, an adjunct faculty member who teaches children's literature courses, and an adult literacy volunteer. I strive to embody what Parker Palmer describes as an "undivided life" in which I "let my life speak."