Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.

Five-Day Centering Prayer Retreat
2023-05-31 17:00 - 2023-06-04 17:00 (America/Chicago) | St. Mary’s Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development, 770 St. Mary's Lane, TN, 37375, United States
This retreat is an opportunity for practitioners of Centering Prayer to deepen their contemplative journey in the contemporary world. It is a five day experience of integrating contemplation and action through silence, solitude, and community.
The retreat offers two tracks. The intensive track is recommended for people who have completed the introductory workshop and who have a regular practice of Centering Prayer. The post-intensive track is for those people who have previously made an eight-day intensive retreat. The post-intensive offers increased silence and additional periods of Centering Prayer. Both the intensive and post-intensive Centering Prayer retreat provide daily experiences of silence, solitude, walking, hiking, yoga, and spiritual companionship to foster an ever-deepening level of interior silence and awareness of the presence of God in everyday life.
Scholarship Assistance is available for those with financial need. Please contact Reservations for application, Reservations@stmaryssewanee.org, 931-598-5342.

Abide in the Mercy
2023-05-26 15:00 - 2023-06-01 12:00 (America/Denver) | Mercy Center Burlingame, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA, 94010, United States
The Mercy Center Centering Prayer Program presents:
Abide in the Mercy: A Silent Wisdom** and Centering Prayer Retreat
“As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love.”
– John 15:9
In many of Jesus’ sayings we can find an invitation to a deeper contemplative way of being, so relevant for our Centering Prayer. ‘Abide in my love’, for example, can also be translated as ‘abide in mercy’ (rachma in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke). This is the Mercy that surrounds, nurtures, encompasses, and streams through us, bringing us alive. The Semitic root for this word is womb, like a mother loving completely, flourishing and encompassing. So in our Centering Prayer we are invited to abide, or rest deeply, in that generative compassion. The word ‘abide’ in Aramaic, ‘qevah’, can also mean to wait, hope for; even to continue, to endure. But in typical Aramaic fashion where multiple levels of meaning can be found in one word or phrase, it also means to collect, to bind together. This collection can be done in our own being, binding together as an integrated person, willing to remain fully present in an embodied way, in whatever state we find ourselves. And it can also refer to our collection as a group, gathering to practice together.
Join us in person at Mercy Center, Burlingame, CA where we will gather together and allow silence, Centering Prayer, and Jesus’ own language of Aramaic to open us to the limitless depths of Jesus’ invitation. We will also include some wisdom practices of chanting, movement, and guided meditation that will help to deepen our Centering Prayer.
This retreat is suitable for people with a long-time practice of Centering Prayer, and will also provide guidance for those relatively new to it. We are planning a spacious schedule so that you will have time to walk the beautiful Mercy grounds, and to do other deeply relaxing practices that we’ll talk about. Bring a journal and pen if you like. There is a lovely craft room at Mercy Center but bring additional art supplies if you prefer.
**“ May the next years see the increase of Centering Prayer, and the creative addition of other wisdom aspects that might enhance what we are doing, or at least help us to do what we have learned out of our tradition, with complete commitment.”
—Thomas Keating, in A Life Surrendered to Love
**For more information on the Christian Wisdom Path, see Cynthia Bourgeault’s book: The Wisdom Way of Knowing: Reclaiming an Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heart.
Retreat Leaders:
Joy Andrews Hayter, Ph.D. is a spiritual director whose offerings include Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices of the Christian Wisdom tradition. These practices encourage us to lean into the Love that is constantly being offered within a relational web of Sacred Unity. As a scientist she sees in the physical world an expression of that love. Joy regularly offers retreats on Centering Prayer, often emphasizing the incarnational nature of the Christian path, and she regularly responds to questions about Centering Prayer in the Contemplative Outreach quarterly e-bulletin. You can find more about her at joyfulfillment.com
Catherine Regan, Ph.D. is a spiritual director, retired psychologist, and adjunct staff member at Mercy Center, primarily serving on the Centering Prayer team. She has a special interest in participating in the reclamation of the Christian Wisdom tradition and fostering the contemplative practices so urgently needed at this time in our world.
Heather Ruce, M.A. will be supporting our wisdom school experience through guiding us in daily Gurdjieff Movements. She is a wisdom spiritual director with training in a neurophysiology based approach to understanding the nervous system. She loves working with individuals as well as facilitating groups and retreats focused on learning and practicing the Christian Wisdom Tradition.
Link to COVID Protocol: https://mercy-center.org/guest-protocol/
Contact Us: 650-340-7474; MC@sistersofmercy.org
For more information visit: www.mercy-center.org
These are unprecedented times. If finances are an issue, please email us at registration@mercywmw.org for a learning grant discount code. We want to make sure our offerings are available to everyone

Centering Prayer Intensive Retreat
2023-05-16 14:00 - 2023-05-23 13:00 (America/New_York) | Holy Cross Monastery – New York, 1615 Route 9W, West Park, NY, 12493, United States
The eight-day Centering Prayer Intensive Retreat, Tuesday, May 16 to Tuesday, May 23, 2023, provides an opportunity to deepen the practice of Centering Prayer in an atmosphere of silence and community support. This retreat follows the Contemplative Outreach guidelines for an Intensive Retreat including six 30-minute Centering Prayer periods daily. Following Fr. Thomas Keating’s guidelines the prayer is supported with viewing and faith sharing on his Human Condition teachings from his updated Spiritual Journey series. Retreat leaders are available for soul-friending. During the retreat, one will experience integrating contemplation and action through silence, solitude, community and the rhythm of this Episcopal Benedictine monastic community’s worship and prayer life including daily Holy Eucharist. An established practice of Centering Prayer for at least 6-months is highly recommended. Anyone who has participated in a Contemplative Outreach Intensive in the past may attend and make this a Post-Intensive by not viewing the videos and adding additional Centering Prayer periods.
Check-in is from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday. Vespers begins at 5:00. Dinner then follows. The retreat concludes with lunch on Tuesday. (Daily Holy Eucharist is available at 9:00 a.m.). Cost for the retreat is $1,200. The retreat fee includes a single room and all meals. Shared single occupancy bathrooms in the hallways. Financial assistance is available to those who need it.
Retreat Leaders: Leslee Anne Terpay is a Contemplative Outreach commissioned presenter for Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. She is part of the service team who defines Lectio Divina workshop teachings and retreat experiences. Leslee is a spiritual director in Lone Tree, Colorado and a graduate of The Centering for Action and Contemplation Living School.
Br. Bernard Delcourt, is the Director of Associates at Holy Cross Monastery. This service calls on his pastoral, managerial, administrative, financial and leadership skills. Bernard is a Contemplative Outreach commissioned presenter. Bernard has been a monk since 2004. Before becoming a monk, he was an investment banker and then a life and business skills coach. He is a spiritual director and regularly visits General Theological Seminary in New York to offer spiritual direction to students and staff.
Reservations may be made by e-mail or phone.
We accept payments via all major credit cards, PayPal, or personal check. We offer hospitality assistance if you’d like to visit but find the cost too burdensome. To register, please contact our Guesthouse Office by phone (845-384-6660, ext. 3002) or email (guesthouse@hcmnet.org). If you have questions on the content of the retreat please contact Leslee at co-leslee@comcast.net

Spring Silent Saturday
2023-05-13 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino, CA, 91436, United States
In this season of new life and promise, it is good to take a quiet Spring morning for Centering Prayer and silence. The day is open to beginners as well as those experienced in contemplative prayer or silent meditation. The day provides time for communal prayers, a contemplative walk, private journaling, reflection, and an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful grounds of Holy Spirit Retreat Center. All are welcome. A brief introduction to Centering Prayer will be offered for those new to the practice.
Free-will offering
Register online at hsrcenter.com by May 9th.
For more information contact Marilyn Nobori at centeringprayer@hsrcenter.com or (818) 815-4480.

Online Morning Centering Prayer Retreat program: "Ancient Christian Contemplation - Before 'The Cloud of Unknowing' "
2023-05-13 09:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Internet – Online
Led by Steve Thompson (CONOVA)
Have Christians always practiced contemplation? During the first 150 years of Christianity, most of those who can be loosely identified as Christian contemplatives were ignored as harmless. By 220 CE, however, contemplatives were generally considered heretics, and they were frequently persecuted and sometimes put to death by their fellow Christians—usually for practices too similar to those of the Pythagorean contemplatives and the gymnosophists (the ancient Greek label for Buddhists).
However, around 295 CE, the first writer of a history of Christianity, Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea, made an exciting discovery in the course of his research. He uncovered the existence of a first-generation community of Christian contemplatives near Alexandria, Egypt, who had been converted by none other than the Apostle Mark himself. The individuals of this 1st-century community lived in one-person dwellings called (appropriately) monasterions, which had a tameion (inner room) in which they practiced a form of contemplation nearly identical to that of modern Centering Prayer. Yes, Jesus was reported to have said “When you pray, go into your tameion and shut the door” (Matthew 6:6).
This presentation will seek to draw out the full implications of how Bishop Eusebius’ influential discovery helped inspire the massive monastic movement of the late 300s. His discovery can also be considered an important turning point in the reception of silent contemplation as a legitimate Christian practice.
Morning program will include two sessions of Centering Prayer
Please register using the link below.
Offered freely, although contributions ($20 suggested) towards our programming costs are greatly appreciated: https://contemplativeoutreachnova.com/donations

Ubuntu and Contemplation: How an Indigenous African Philosophy Maps Our Spiritual Path to Global Community via Zoom
2023-05-13 | Internet – Online
with Michael Battle
https://michaelbattle.com/about/
Emerging from the ancient cultural traditions of sub-Saharan Africa, the deeply communitarian philosophy known as Ubuntu challenges Western habits of mind in ways that complement and complete the experience of contemplation.
In Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices, we find a path that opens us up to oneness – both union with God and unity with all human beings, including those who may seem different from us in race, culture, religion, or national origin. As we move into this more connected state of awareness, it is essential to do so communally, rather than just individually – and grasping the message of Ubuntu is a big step toward the ability to love our neighbors as ourselves.
In this workshop, we hope to bring together people from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in contemplation. Together we will learn about Ubuntu as we pray through, think about and practice how to release the natural unity the Holy Spirit constantly offers the world.
The workshop is sponsored by Contemplative Outreach chapters in Chicago, Atlanta, Colorado, and Maryland/Washington DC.
REGISTER HERE

Emotional Sobriety Through Contemplative Practice
2023-05-06 09:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, CT, 6107, United States
Contemplative Enrichment Day with Jim McElroy
Bill Wilson, one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, coined the term “Emotional Sobriety.” He noticed that some AA members with long-term sobriety still experienced troublesome emotional reactions which were caused by “faulty emotional dependencies.” Contemplative practice heals the emotional wounds of our lifetime and touches the deep unconscious, where all of our real hurts, motivations and deepest visions lie. This day will focus on using contemplative practices to respond with a new heart and being fully present in each moment.
This program will be offered both in-person and online via Zoom. Information on how to access the program on Zoom will be sent to participants in advance.
This program will include a morning and an afternoon session of Centering Prayer.
Jim McElroy has been practicing Centering Prayer since 1996 and has been a commissioned presenter since 2002. Jim has been on the leadership team of 12-Step Outreach since its formation in 2005 and is especially interested in teaching contemplative practices to the recovery community. He is a former coordinator of Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis and currently leads Contemplative Outreach’s Welcoming Prayer team and serves on Contemplative Outreach Ltd.’s Governing Board.

Post Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat
2023-05-05 16:00 - 2023-05-12 09:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey, 9200 NE Abbey Road, OR, 97127, United States
8-day post intensive Centering Prayer retreat
Please email Patricia to register.

12-Step Retreat: First Things First – Faith in Recovery
2023-05-04 17:30 - 2023-05-07 13:00 UTC | Siena Retreat Center, Racine WI, 5637 Erie St, Racine, WI 53402, Racine, WI, 53402, United States
Recovery, the power of story, in the silence of Centering Prayer
This retreat explores the essential principles that formed the first steps of The Twelve Step program of recovery now known as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). As we view and discuss the engaging play, Bill W and Dr Bob, we see how the lives of two desperate men, their families and friends, and an historic convergence of events forged the foundation of faith integral in their recovery and in the formation of AA’s foundational first three steps. Through viewing, discussion, journaling, and reflection we see how these essential principles formed spiritual practices in their lives and established a program of recovery grounded in faith. During our time together may the voice of our stories contribute to the integrity of recovery’s indispensable first fruit of spiritual awakening.
Retreat presenter, Kenny Kohberger, is a member of COSEW’s Coordinating Team and a commissioned presenter of the 12-Step Centering Prayer meditation practice. His recent course of study at Virginia Theological Seminary supported his research which affirmed the significance of faith in twelve step recovery. “First Things First – Faith In Recovery” is the culminating project of his study. Before attending seminary Kenny had a rich career in the performing arts. Yet his eyes widen and emit joy when asked about his project. For Kenny, “First Things First – Faith In Recovery” is the creative manifestation, a crescendo, of a seeker’s journey.
This retreat is for people who participate in any 12-Step program, or those who support recovery, and desire to deepen their meditation practice and enrich their spirituality. There will be daily morning and afternoon periods of Centering Prayer meditation. In addition to the play, we will view a few of the videos from the series “The Contemplative Dimension of the Twelve Steps with Thomas Keating.” An Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat observes the contemplative practice of silence except when sharing at Twelve Step Meetings and during discussion at program sessions.
Please see the link below to register.

Commissioned Presenter Gathering - via Zoom
2023-04-29 12:30 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Internet – Online
As Thomas Keating stated in The Vision of Contemplative Outreach, we are an evolving community. We need your input as we explore how the Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop can meet the changing needs of those we serve. Please join us to share your insights.
Your participation on April 29th is important as we need to hear from as many presenters as possible. We’ll begin with Centering Prayer (abbreviated) and reflection, and then listen to each other’s thoughts and experiences.
The Zoom link for the gathering will be posted here a few days before the event. No need to register.
We look forward to praying and listening together. Thank you for gifting the world with your prayer and service.
In gratitude,
The Centering Prayer Introductory Program Service Team: Irene Chang, Steve Garratt, Marie Howard, and Lois Snowden

Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop
2023-04-29 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Sisters of Charity Motherhouse, 5900 Delhi Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45233, United States
For those new to Centering Prayer/meditation this workshop familiarizes participants with the method of Centering Prayer and its practical application. The workshop offers an opportunity to experience this ancient prayer/meditation practice in a quiet, reflective atmosphere. Each workshop is led by an experienced facilitator, commissioned by Contemplative Outreach, LTD.
“Contemplative prayer is the world in which God can do anything. To move into that realm is the greatest adventure. It is to be open to the Infinite and hence to infinite possibilities.”
– Thomas Keating

Spring Centering Prayer Silent Retreat
2023-04-28 16:00 - 2023-04-30 16:00 UTC | Saint Benedict Center, 1123 Road I, Schuyler, NE, 68661, United States
Saint Benedict Center
Schuyler, Nebraska
“We must seek God more and more in the present moment, which is in fact the only place where God can be found. Since God is eternal, God is not to be found in the future but in the present.”
~Thomas Keating, Intimacy With God, p.28
Contemplative retreats are one of the most wonderful ways to experience time with God in the present moment. No hurry, no concerns, just time spent being aware of God and enjoying his presence.
You are invited to gather with us for our Spring retreat giving time to be present in the beauty of nature, prayer and solitude. We begin Friday, April 28th at dinner and conclude Sunday after the noon meal.
Registration includes: 2 nights in a private room, all meals, and programming. $240.00
Please register by April 10, 2023 at www.nebraskacontemplativeoutreach.org
Saint Benedict Center is a beautiful location (5 miles north of Schuyler NE) that provides walking paths, Stations of the Cross, a labyrinth, hotel-like accommodations and delicious food service. Schuyler is 1 hour and 15 minutes east if Omaha, Nebraska.

EASTER 2023 6 DAY (5 NIGHT) SILENT CENTERING PRAYER RETREAT
2023-04-23 16:00 - 2023-04-28 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | St. Andrew’s Retreat House, WA, 98592, United States
Continue your Easter journey by deepening your Centering Prayer practice in an atmosphere of silence and community, away from the busyness of daily life, and allow your mind, body and spirit to surrender to God’s presence and action within.
This Contemplative Outreach post-intensive retreat is designed to deepen your established Centering Prayer practice. It will focus on deep silence and simplicity and will not include any videos or other learning material. Each day will feature five prayer sessions that will last from half an hour to an hour and a half (including short contemplative walks). Except for opening and closing times, retreatants will observe Grand Silence throughout the retreat with no conversation and no eye contact.
Before attending the retreat, you should have an established practice of daily Centering Prayer for at least one year and have attended a Centering Prayer Intensive retreat. For more information about the retreat, contact Pam Wilder, Retreats Coordinator and registrar, pwilder@blarg.net.
Flyer and registration form: https://contemplativeoutreachnorthwest.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Easter-Retreat.pdf

Lectio Divina Presenter Enrichment Gathering -- via Zoom
2023-04-22 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Internet – Online
Save the date!
Saturday April 22, 2023
This will be a 90 minute gathering beginning at 12 midday Eastern Standard Time.
Commissioned presenters of Lectio Divina and Lectio Divina Presenters in Training are warmly invited to attend this event.
Enquiries: lesleywaterford@gmail.com

Fear, Freedom and Levels of the Mind: Cultivating Interior Freedom in Fierce Times
2023-04-15 09:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, CT, 6107, United States
Contemplative Enrichment Day with Mark Kutolowski
Fear blocks our ability to hear God’s presence and action in our midst. How do we live from a place of spiritual freedom in an era of upheaval and fear? In this workshop, we will seek to cultivate awareness of fear as it relates to the Primitive, Rational, and Spiritual levels of mind. Much of the day will be spent practicing exercises to strengthen the nervous system, enhance interior awareness, and build our ability to remain spiritually present in the face of fear.
This program will be offered both in-person and online via Zoom. Information on how to access the program on Zoom will be sent to participants in advance.
This program will include a morning and an afternoon session of Centering Prayer.
Mark Kutolowski is an Oblate of Saint Benedict, a contemplative retreat leader, Centering Prayer teacher, wilderness guide, and instructor in the Slavic martial art and health practice, Systema. He has spent the past 20 years exploring the integration of Christian contemplation with physical transformation and our relationship with the natural world. Mark and his wife Lisa live a lay contemplative life and offer hospitality at their homestead, Metanoia of Vermont (http://www.metanoiavt.com).

How Contemplation Can Heal a Violent World: Going Deeper - via Zoom
2023-04-15 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Internet – Online
Our April Half-Day Retreat will feature three recorded excerpts from the Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton’s presentation on contemplation and nonviolence given during COMW’s 25th Anniversary Retreat in September 2022.
The excerpts will focus on the different faces of violence, the spirituality of nonviolence and nonviolence in action. Before each video, we will prepare ourselves to listen deeply by sitting together in Centering Prayer. We will listen to each video as though engaging in Lectio Divina, noting any word or phrase that especially resonates as God speaking to us personally. After each video, we will be invited to share the word or phrase that resonated with us as the Spirit’s call to non-violent action in our personal and communal lives. We will conclude our retreat with a final prayer and blessing.

Presenter Formation for Centering Prayer
2023-04-14 10:30 - 2023-04-16 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Mercy Center Auburn, 535 Sacramento Street, Auburn, CA, 95603, United States
Presenter Formation to become a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer is being offered at Mercy Centers beautiful Auburn California retreat center April 14 – 16th and is led by Susan Turpin.
Please contact Chuck Schaller if interested: chuckschaller2@gmail.com or phone 916-390-3465

Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh Presents A Two-Day-Retreat: "Triple Way to Transformation"
2023-04-14 - 2023-04-15 | Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, 2067 Evergreen St., Villa Maria, PA, 16155, United States
Location: Villa Marie Education and Spirituality Center in Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh.
Susan Muto, PhD., Dean of the Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality, and Executive Director of the Epiphany Association, a renowned speaker and author, will present a mystical guide to the soul’s quest for God aimed at our understanding of how to live the threefold path of purgation, illumination, and union with God.
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I
shall be whiter than snow”
– Ps 51:7
Three conferences will focus on the triple way to transformation highlighted in Scripture brought to light by such spiritual masters as St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Teresa of Avila, and Thomas Merton; all of whom in both style and content convey the goodness, truth, and beauty of living with the sacred. These conferences will reveal that our thoughts, images, and hopes must be rooted in a stance of calm, courageous peace, expressed daily in our care and concern for one another. Only then can we live to the fullest the virtues of silence, simplicity, solitude, and solidarity.
For more information see https://www.pghcenteringprayer.org/newsletter/

Holy Saturday Retreat: Accompanying Jesus and Mary Magdalene - online or in-person
2023-04-08 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Centre for Spiritaul Renewal at St. Andrew’s Church, Langley, BC, Canada
Holy Saturday marks Jesus’ journeys into the heart of the earth in which he not only encounters the most constricted, cut off and hurt states of human consciousness in the collective false self but allows love to reach them and weave them into the whole. Meanwhile Mary Magdalene, the Tower, keeps vigil with a heart open in love as Jesus enters this pivotal point in the passion events, the outcome of which is still unknown to her. We are invited to enter this day from a wisdom point of view opening ourselves to the possibility of embodying the postures of Jesus and Mary Magdalene in the context of our very own lives.
Join us ONLINE or at the Centre for Spiritual Renewal in Langley, B.C. for a contemplative wisdom event led by Heather Ruce, in which we engage this sacred day with our minds, feelings, and body through teaching, reflection and shared wisdom practices.
Retreat Leader: Heather Ruce, M.A., is a wisdom spiritual director companioning individuals and facilitating wisdom practice circles, groups, retreats, and wisdom schools focused on learning and practicing the Christian Wisdom Tradition. She offers teaching and guidance in various wisdom and mindfulness practices including Centering Prayer, Christian meditation, sacred chanting, lectio divina, conscious work and embodiment in service of waking up and putting on the mind of Christ. Find out more at heatherruce.com.

4-Day Holy Week Silent Wisdom Retreat: Accompanying Jesus and Mary Magdalene through the Paschal Mystery - in-person or online
2023-04-03 19:00 - 2023-04-06 12:30 (America/Vancouver) | Bethlehem Centre, Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Holy Week is more than a series of events surrounding the final days of Jesus’s earthy life that we are to commemorate. We can enter this sacred week from the inside as a way of mutual accompaniment in which we are concurrently embodying the postures of Jesus and Mary Magdalene through this timeless passage through death. Under the conditions of deep silence—weaving in the transformative currents of surrender, three centered presence, attention, and recollection—we will open ourselves to the intense life giving energy of the Paschal Mystery available to us that we might emerge with the steadfast knowing that ‘Love is as strong as death’ and we too are called to be bearers of that Love.
Join us ONLINE or at the Bethlehem Centre in Nanaimo BC, Canada for a silent experiential retreat. There will be an immersion into a ‘wisdom way of knowing’ through a daily rhythm of mindful walking, Centering Prayer, teaching, reflection, ritual, Gurdjieff Exercises and Movements, chanting, and contemplative free time embedded in the Great Silence. In person registration https://bethlehemcentre.com/program/1264/holy-week-silent-wisdom-retreat-in-person/
Retreat Leader: Heather Ruce, M.A., is a wisdom spiritual director companioning individuals and facilitating wisdom practice circles, groups, retreats, and wisdom schools focused on learning and practicing the Christian Wisdom Tradition. She offers teaching and guidance in various wisdom and mindfulness practices including Centering Prayer, Christian meditation, sacred chanting, lectio divina, conscious work and embodiment in service of waking up and putting on the mind of Christ. Find out more at heatherruce.com.

Resurrection - Transformation Big Sit - via Zoom
2023-04-01 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Internet – Online
Join us for a meaningful morning exploring the Resurrection-Transformation theme. This Big Sit incorporates two 20-minute silent Centering Prayer sessions with Lectio Divina (sacred reading four times), Taizé chant, and stories about transformation for our reflection.
Please see the link below to register.

Introduction to Centering Prayer – Online Workshop
2023-04-01 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Anchorage) | Internet – Online
St. Mary’s Sewanee is hosting an online workshop via Zoom, “Introduction to Centering Prayer”, Saturday, April 1st, 9am to 3pm Central Time, led by The Rev. Tom Ward.
The Rev. Tom Ward is the retired university chaplain at the University of the South and now spends his days focusing on the contemplative dimension of the gospel, teaching Centering Prayer, and leading retreats.
Please register using the link below. This program is FREE. Donations to St. Mary’s Sewanee are appreciated.

11th-Step Centering Prayer Retreat
2023-03-31 - 2023-04-02 | Bethany Retreat Center, 1031 Germania Rd, Frenchville, PA, 16836, United States
This retreat will offer an environment of solitude and silence in community with time for reflection, fellowship and 12-Step Meetings. We will be presenting Centering Prayer as an 11th-Step Practice. Centering Prayer is an ancient meditation practice that is different from what we may think of as prayer. It is simply moving deep within ourselves in silence, saying nothing, asking for nothing, just being by letting go of our thoughts and resting in our Higher Power. Retreat staff have been active in 12-Step programs for many years and are longtime practitioners of Centering Prayer. They are commissioned presenters for Centering Prayer through Contemplative Outreach and 12 step Outreach.
If you are starting a meditation practice, seeking a new path or are interested in deepening your current practice, come and join. Please see the link below to register.

Father Sheehan 6-Day Centering Prayer Retreat at Holy Cross Abbey
2023-03-27 - 2023-04-02 | Holy Cross Abbey, 901 Cool Spring Ln, VA, 22611, United States
Silence and Solitude
FORGIVENESS
Centering Prayer Retreat with Father Bill Sheehan
Monday, March 27 – Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023
Holy Cross Abbey (HCA)
www.virginiatrappists.org
Berryville, VA
5 Full Days & 2 Half Days of silence and solitude in a peaceful rural setting 3 plus hours per day of group Centering Prayer
Daily morning Centering Prayer begins at 5:30am
Palm Sunday morning Centering Prayer begins at 6:30am
Comfortable single room with private bathroom/shower
Opportunity to attend any or all of the daily Liturgy of the Hour prayers with the Trappist monks
Eucharist celebrated with the Monks in the Abbey Monastery Chapel weekdays and Saturday morning after 7:00am Lauds
Sunday morning Eucharist celebrated with Father Sheehan in the Retreat House Chapel
Daily group conference Tuesday – Saturday offered by Father Sheehan
Opportunity for two private individual conferences with Father Sheehan
Here is the event/registration URL: https://conta.cc/3jp91oK
martha@marthajohnston.com

Introduction to the Forgiveness Prayer - via Zoom
2023-03-25 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Denver) | Internet – Online
Is there someone in your life whom you find difficult to forgive? The Prayer of Forgiveness is a powerful prayer that can help you forgive at the deepest level of your being. During this class, you will receive instruction on this prayer, developed by Contemplative Outreach founding member Mary Mrozowski. You will also have an opportunity for Centering Prayer as well as practice of the Prayer of Forgiveness.
This class will include a session of Centering Prayer.
Time listed is Mountain Time (Denver, Colorado)
Click the link below to register.

Introduction to Centering Prayer
2023-03-25 08:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Messiah Luthern Church, 305 West Magnetic Street, Marquette, MI, 49855, United States
“Be still and know that I am God.”
– Psalm 46:10
Centering Prayer is a receptive, deep method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of the experience of God’s presence within us. It presents ancient Christian teachings in an updated form. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; rather it casts new light on them. This method of prayer is a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Christ. Through the regular practice of Centering Prayer, many people discover the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, self-control.
The workshop will introduce the four guidelines of Centering Prayer and will include two 20 minute silent Centering Prayer sessions. The teachings are based on Father Thomas Keating’s book, Open Mind, Open Heart. Follow up materials and resources will be provided. A donation is suggested for the presenters traveling expenses.
The co-presenters are the Reverends Jackie Falk and John Keller.
For more information and to RSVP contact, Laura Petrie at petriedish57@gmail.com
Please note there is also a Centering Prayer group in person on Sundays @ 5:00 p.m. Eastern time – same location, Messiah Lutheran Church. Please email Laura Petrie if interested in attending, petriedish57@gmail.com

Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop
2023-03-25 08:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, CT, 6107, United States
In this introductory workshop, you will learn the ancient method and principles of Centering Prayer practice in a quiet, reflective atmosphere. We will cover the history, psychology, and theology of the practice. Two prayer sessions and a question and answer session are included.
This program will be offered both in-person and online via Zoom. Information on how to access the program on Zoom will be sent to participants in advance.

Lenten Day Retreat: Preparing to Accompany Jesus and Mary Magdalene through Holy Week - online or in-person
2023-03-22 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Multifaith Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
On this Lenten Day, we will prepare ourselves to enter Holy week from the inside by embodying the postures of Jesus and Mary Magdalene through this timeless passage. Let’s join together in community to learn and practice Wisdom, weaving in the transformative currents of surrender, three centered presence, attention, and recollection. May we open more fully to encounter the transformative life-giving energy of Holy Week.
Join us ONLINE or at the Multifaith Centre in Victoria, B.C. for a contemplative wisdom event led by Heather Ruce, in which we engage this sacred day with our minds, feelings, and body through teaching, reflection and shared wisdom practices.
Retreat Leader: Heather Ruce, M.A., is a wisdom spiritual director companioning individuals and facilitating wisdom practice circles, groups, retreats, and wisdom schools focused on learning and practicing the Christian Wisdom Tradition. She offers teaching and guidance in various wisdom and mindfulness practices including Centering Prayer, Christian meditation, sacred chanting, lectio divina, conscious work and embodiment in service of waking up and putting on the mind of Christ. Find out more at heatherruce.com.

Christian Mystical Poetry and the Contemplative Path - via Zoom
2023-03-18 09:30 - 12:00 UTC | Internet – Online
Led by the Rt. Rev. G. Porter Taylor
If silence is the first language of God, as Thomas Keating writes, mystical poetry is a language by which we mortals may share our experience of God. What can we learn about spiritual practice, growth, and vitality from devout mystics who step beyond the limits of prose into poetry? This workshop offers an opportunity to study and react to a sampling of such poetry from the early Middle Ages into our current century.
Registrants will receive copies of the poems to be discussed in advance of the program, and following the program, a brief bibliography of references.
Program Facilitator: Dick Hall (COMW Coordinating Team member): dh0621@gmail.com
Please see the link below to register.

The Mystical Experience of Everyday Living
2023-03-18 09:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, CT, 6107, United States
Contemplative Enrichment Day with Sophfronia Scott, M.F.A.
Mysticism is often viewed as the privileged experience of a few chosen, holy individuals. But German Jesuit, Karl Rahner, wrote about “everyday mysticism,” and Carmelite Sister Ruth Burrows described the mystical life simply as “God touching the depths of our being.” God is closer than we think–to all of us. We’ll explore everyday mysticism as life events filled with God’s unmistakable presence. Sharing Thomas Merton’s experiences and her own, Sophfronia will help attendees notice, identify, and appreciate mystical encounters in their everyday lives.
This program will be offered both in-person and online via Zoom. Information on how to access the program on Zoom will be sent to participants in advance.
This program will include a morning and an afternoon session of Centering Prayer.
Sophfronia Scott, M.F.A., is director of Alma College’s Master’s program in Creative Writing and holds degrees from Harvard and the Vermont College of Fine Arts. A novelist, essayist, and contemplative thinker, her books include the newly-released The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton, as well as All I Need to Get By, Unforgivable Love, Love’s Long Line, and This Child of Faith. Her work has appeared in Time, People and O, The Oprah Magazine.
