By Melanie P. Moore, et al.
Each month, we publish a listing of upcoming contemplative and spiritual opportunities recommended by folks here at The Abbey. Many of us have floundered around in the past looking for community and deep engagement with other pilgrims on the spiritual path. Here we share a curated list of what we are finding, hoping you might find some of it helpful on your journey. We’ve included a Comments section with each listing detailing what we as participants have liked. If you know of something coming up in June or July and would like to have it listed here, please email the information as shown below to editor@theabbey.us by May 20 to be included in the post at the beginning of June. Please note that all times are listed in Central Time.
May
Emptiness as Spiritual Practice – Presentations by Douglas Christie at the Church of Conscious Harmony
Dates and Times: May Friday, May 3, (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.) – Saturday, May 4, (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
Registration: Open
Cost: Suggested donation $50
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 1 evening and 1 half-day
Format: Online and in-person
Recording Available: No
Description: Led by Douglas Christie, professor emeritus of theological studies Loyola Marymount, these talks will focus on the idea of “emptiness as spiritual practice”— especially as this idea surfaces within the Christian spiritual tradition. Drawing on the ancient Christian understanding of “kenosis,” or self-emptying, the talks will explore the idea of what it means to allow ourselves to become emptied out for the sake of God, our own spiritual integrity, love. To think of emptiness as a spiritual practice invites a consideration of how we can learn to inhabit such a space, and how we can come to embrace it as a kind of teacher or companion. It also invites us to grapple with what it might mean for us to grow and deepen our spiritual practice as a continual exercise of self-emptying.
Event begins Friday May 3, with Centering Prayer from 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. CDT, with the first presentation from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The event will resume Saturday May 4, with Centering Prayer from 8:30-9:00am and the presentation from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.. Attendance can be in person in the Sanctuary or online. All are invited to bring a bag lunch and have lunch in the fellowship hall at 12:30 p.m., to visit about what was presented in the talks.
Comments: We like that there is an online option. While we are not extremely familiar with Douglas Christie, we are curious and have registered to participate ourselves and are intrigued by the topic of kenosis. We like the offerings from the Church of Conscious Harmony, a local contemplative community.
Metanoia Journey’s Sunday In-Person Contemplative Gathering
Dates and Times: Sunday, May 5, Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Registration: Not required
Cost: Free
Frequency: Monthly
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: In person at The Seminary of the Southwest’s Christ Chapel 501 E 32nd St., Austin, TX
Recording Available: N/A
Description: The format of this gathering will include 20 minutes of Centering Prayer, a scripture reading from the sacred texts, a “message” offered by the ministers or guest speakers, community communion, and contemplative music. We invite anyone who wants to participate in performing a role to let us know. Otherwise, just come, rest in God, and receive.
This is a “contemplative service,” with 20 minutes of silent, meditative prayer. For those that attend that have not practiced Centering Prayer before, we have a copy of the brief Guidelines to practice the prayer available at the entry to the Chapel for people to follow along.
At this time, we do not have an area for children to gather separately or have a children’s ministry. Older children are certainly welcome if they can rest in silence during that time.
Comments: This is an opportunity to connect with other contemplative practitioners in person in Austin. While these are primarily Christian contemplative services, all are welcome.
Holding Our Planet: Wisdom’s Work Transforming Crisis with Cynthia Bourgeault
Dates and Times: Tuesday, May 7, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $25
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Online and In-person at Harcourt Memorial United Church in Guelph, ON, Canada
Recording Available: Yes
Description: Cynthia Bourgeault, renowned author and spiritual teacher, will share her insights on transforming crisis. Cynthia will invite us to reflect on our role of renewal as we stand on the brink of a major planetary tipping-point. What is needed for nurturing conscious, thoughtful, prayerful human beings who can act with agency, rootedness, and compassion? Drawing on a lifetime of study, practice and bold truth-seeking, Cynthia will engage in thoughtful dialogue, taking questions and observations from the in-person audience.
Comments: The online option is a wonderful opportunity to hear from Cynthia Bourgeault on contemporary issues including environmental concerns and cultural divisions that feel so chaotic today. She introduces spiritual practices and actions we can take because, to paraphrase a recent comment from her, if talking was going to fix the problem it would have worked by now.
What Jesus Really Taught in His Native Aramaic, with Neil Douglas-Klotz and the Shift Network
Dates and Times: Tuesday, May 7, 7:30 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: Free
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: Understanding Jesus’ original teachings before organized religion translated (and often misrepresented) his message can help you connect with a very different time — when people rarely lived lives of isolation, and humanity, nature, and the Divine were seen as profoundly interconnected, says scholar Neil Douglas-Klotz, PhD.
You’re invited to join Neil for a brand-new hour-long event as he shares how Jesus’ original teachings in Aramaic provide a practical, embodied way of living and spiritual practice that you can bring into your daily life, no matter which tradition you’re part of (or not part of).
Neil will guide you to experience Aramaic chants and meditations that will help you truly understand the impact of the Lord’s Prayer (or Yeshua’s Prayer) — so you can deeply feel the more loving, more humane way of being that’s possible for you.
As you’ll discover, when you interpret Jesus’ sayings and actions through his native language, you’ll find a hidden gospel — a stunning spiritual practice that’s been obscured by hundreds of years of mistranslation and misunderstanding. And you’ll find that Jesus’ way of spirit and breath can come through in your own embodied experience.
Comments: This is a free, one-hour presentation from the Shift Network (they often offer these free options as a taste of what their paid options contain). Neil Douglas-Klotz is known for his work on the Aramaic of Jesus and while some scholars in the academy have differing views of his scholarship, the information can be an interesting and likely different view from what you may have been taught in the past.
Gathering Dharma Series – The Eight Realizations: The Path to Liberation for All with Roshi Joan Halifax
Dates and Times: Monthly on Sundays, Noon – 1:30 p.m.; May 19, June 23, July 7, August 18, September 15, October 13, November 3, December 22
Registration: Open
Cost: Donation suggested
Frequency: Monthly
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: “Gathering Dharma” is about compassion, connection and collective action. It is a time to explore social and environmental engagement and to affirm our vows in a time of great challenge on our earth. During the morning, we will touch into practice, learn together, and open to inquiry.
For each morning program, there will be a Resource Page, and the Zoom video of the morning session will be posted on the Resource Page shortly after the session. We ask that you register for each Sunday you wish to attend, and you will be sent a Zoom link for the gathering and have access to the unique Resource Page. Recordings of the session will be accessible in perpetuity.
Comments: We like Roshi Joan Halifax as well as several of the other leaders who are participating, including Frank Ostaseski and think this series would be a great way to explore compassion, connection, and collective action.
The Voice of the Feminine Mini-retreat series
Dates and Times: May 18-19
Registration: Open – register for each event separately
Cost: Saturday portion: $65 ea. (Online), $80 ea. (In-Person); Sunday portion: Free
Frequency: 2 events in each month: April, May
Duration: Saturday portions: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Sunday portions: 1 hour at 8:30 a.m.
Format: Online and In-person
Recording Available: No
Description: The program was introduced on Feb. 1 by Rabbi Shira Stutman who spoke about “Gender and the Divine – He/She/It/Them/They?” This was followed on Feb. 17 with Cynthia Bourgeault, on April 13 with Ilia Delio, and April 27 with Heathery Vesey. The series concludes on May 18 with Susan Aposhyan. Click here for more details.
Comments: This is presented by Aspen Chapel and is a new format, “mini-retreat” where participants can join one or all of the sessions. It is offered in-person and online. We are particularly intrigued by the ecumenical nature of the programming. We think they are doing a great job with this series–it’s long enough to have a good experience, without having to go to a full week retreat. Note that there were one-hour presentations by each presenter and those are available on the Aspen Chapel website. The Ilia Delio presentation was particularly good and we recommend you listen to the recording if you get a chance.
Sacred Embodiment Retreat
Dates and Times: Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Registration: Open, space is limited
Cost: $30
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 7 hours
Format: In-person (7406 Newhall Lane, Austin, TX)
Recording Available: N/A
Description: This in-person retreat includes times of Centering Prayer with gentle restorative yoga and stretching. It will be held in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a brown bag lunch. If you have a yoga mat, block, bolster, blankets or evo band, please bring them. Led by Sharon Johnson.
Comments: As noted in the Sacred Sounds Retreat event listed above, this retreat has a setting very connected to nature, just west of Austin and you feel like you really get away without having to go very far. We’ve found The Church of Conscious Harmony to be one of the most consistent places for contemplative practice opportunities. This Sacred Embodiment Retreat looks like a unique offering
Everything is Sacred with John Phillip Newell
Dates and Times: May 15, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., and Thursday morning 8:30 a.m. – Noon
Registration: Open
Cost: $20 per person (Wednesday night), $50 per person (Thursday morning), or $60 for both.
Frequency: One-time events
Duration: 2 hours (Wednesday night), 3.5 hours (Thursday)
Format: In-person or Live Stream
Recording Available: No
Description: How This and Other Celtic Truths Can Help Us Heal the Planet and Connect Soul to Soul. In describing John Philip Newell’s latest book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World, his publisher makes a bold claim: “The hidden tradition of Celtic spirituality can help us renew our faith, heal the earth, overcome our conflict, and reconnect with ourselves.” What if this is true? What if hearing directly from one of the leading voices of Celtic spirituality today could transform your relationship with the earth, yourself, and others? Come be inspired to live, work, and connect from a place deep within that recognizes one of the key underlying principles of Celtic wisdom: everything and everyone is sacred.
Wednesday night: presentation and book signing.
Thursday morning: Building on the theme Everything is Sacred, John Philip Newell will share the Celtic Wisdom that can direct our effort toward a healthier planet and reawakened soul and Cami Twilling, Director of Earth & Soul, will invite participants into a soul-nourishing spiritual practice.
Comments: We like John Philip Newell’s work and this is a great opportunity to see him in person in Austin. The event on Wednesday night looks like more of a presentation followed by a book signing, and the Thursday morning portion provides a chance to step through a spiritual practice. This is being presented by several local churches in Austin and will likely be very well attended.
“You You You: the address of poetry” – A Craft Talk with Pádraig Ó Tuama
Dates and Times: Friday, May 17; 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: $35
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: No
Description: A poem is a word-event going in many directions at once. Sometimes the “you” of a poem is a specific person, at other times it’s the poet, or a general audience, and at times there’s no you at all so the poem addresses itself to the world.
Join Pádraig Ó Tuama virtually for this special Craft Talk, a part of the 2024 Camden Festival of Poetry.
Pádraig presents “Poetry Unbound” from On Being Studios, and lectures and speaks widely internationally. His recent publications include Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World (Norton, 2022) and Feed the Beast (Broken Sleep Books, 2022). Kitchen Hymns is forthcoming from Copper Canyon Press in late 2024.
Comments: We love Pádraig Ó Tuama from hearing him on “Poetry Unbound.” This is a craft talk, but not limited to poets and writers. Anyone who reads poetry may enjoy hearing more about the craft from one of today’s most loved poets.
Courage and Resilience, An Online Gathering with Brian McLaren from the Center for Action and Contemplation
Dates and Times: May 17, 8 a.m. -9:30 a.m.
Registration: Opens April 3
Cost: Sliding scale from $95 – $5
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes; recording available for 1 year
Description: Join acclaimed theologian and podcast host Brian McLaren exploring the “un-peaceful, uneasy, unwanted feeling” many of us feel when facing the realities of today’s world. Using the themes of his upcoming book, Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart (available May 14), Brian invites us to examine feelings of frustration, despair, and anxiety — and discover how we can create a sincere and hopeful commitment to action for the common good.
Comments: Brian McLaren has an interesting perspective, having come from an evangelical background to be one of the leaders of current contemplative spirituality with the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC). This event is focused on themes from his new book. We’re eager to participate.
Queering Contemplation: Finding Queerness in the Roots and Future of Contemplative Spirituality, from Abbey of the Arts
Dates and Times: Friday, May 24, 10 a.m. – noon
Registration: Open
Cost: $25 – $45
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: Cassidy S. Hall (she/her/hers), MA, MDiv, MTS, is an author, award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, and leading voice in contemplative spirituality. She is the cohost of the Encountering Silence podcast and the creator of the Contemplating Now and Queering Contemplation podcasts. Her films include In Pursuit of Silence and Day of a Stranger. Cassidy is widely published and currently resides in Indianapolis, where she is studying for her D.Min. degree. She is the author of the forthcoming book, Queering Contemplation: Finding Queerness in the Roots and Future of Contemplative Spirituality, due for release in May 2024, available for pre-order in July 2023.
Comments: We’re delighted to see this offering and look forward to checking out Hall’s podcasts and upcoming book. This offering from Abbey of the Arts will be a great preview for those unfamiliar with Hall’s work.
Practicing the Presence of God – 40-Day Summer Study with the Meditation Chapel
Dates and Times: Tuesday, May 28 – Tuesday, Aug. 20, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Registration: Open (Note that you may need to register with Meditation Chapel in order to get access to their events; you can use the link above and search calendar for May 28 to find registration link)
Cost: Free
Frequency: Weekly on Tuesday evenings
Duration: 40 days
Format: Online
Recording Available: No
Description: For spiritual seekers who delve deeply into teachings to strengthen their bond with the Divine. All are welcome to join. Work begins in May using a 40-day praxis that introduces primary reflections from Brother Lawrence’s 17th century writings. Weekly gatherings follow the pattern similar to other Meditation Chapel sessions–collect hearts and minds through an opening reading and a 20-minute sit in silent prayer (according to individual practices). Move into a period of transitional prayer, then delve deeply into the readings, augmented by Biblical texts, questions for reflections, and readings to embrace throughout the week. Facilitated by Cynthia McKinley.
Comments: We participate in some of the Meditation Chapel events and think this offering allows a rhythm to follow during the 40-day practice. We like that their offerings have a fairly standard format so you can know what to expect as you integrate the teachings and practice into your own life.
American Teilhard Association Annual Event: Sacred Earth Sacred Soul with John Phillip Newell
Dates and Times: Friday, May 31 – Sunday, June 2
Registration: Open
Cost: $200 – $310 (in person); $20 (Zoom)
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 3 days (Single session registrations possible)
Format: In-person in Paoli, PA; and online via Zoom
Recording Available: Yes
Description: The American Teilhard Association invites you to join us at the Spirituality & Retreat Center at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, PA, for our annual event featuring speaker John Philip Newell, Canadian and Scottish teacher of Celtic spirituality. He will be presenting via Zoom.
Comments: We like that this wonderful speaker and the event are being made available via Zoom at such a reasonable price. This would be a great introduction to the organization and speaker as well as a good experience for those familiar with Newell’s work.
June
Metanoia Journey’s Sunday In-Person Contemplative Gathering
Dates and Times: Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Registration: Not required
Cost: Free
Frequency: Monthly
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: In person at The Seminary of the Southwest’s Christ Chapel 501 E 32nd St., Austin, TX
Recording Available: N/A
Description: The format of this gathering will include 20 minutes of Centering Prayer, a scripture reading from the sacred texts, a “message” offered by the ministers or guest speakers, community communion, and contemplative music. We invite anyone who wants to participate in performing a role to let us know. Otherwise, just come, rest in God, and receive.
This is a “contemplative service,” with 20 minutes of silent, meditative prayer. For those that attend that have not practiced Centering Prayer before, we have a copy of the brief Guidelines to practice the prayer available at the entry to the Chapel for people to follow along.
At this time, we do not have an area for children to gather separately or have a children’s ministry. Older children are certainly welcome if they can rest in silence during that time.
Comments: This is an opportunity to connect with other contemplative practitioners in person in Austin. While these are primarily Christian contemplative services, all are welcome.
Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit (Eremos Summer Book Reflection)
Dates and Times: June 3 – 27 (4 groups meeting various times and days throughout June)
Registration: Open
Cost: $50 + cost of book
Frequency: Weekly
Duration: 4 weeks (each weekly session lasts 1.5 hours)
Format: Online and in-person (3 groups online, 1 meets in person)
Recording Available: No
Description: Following our time with Celtic spirituality leader, John Philip Newell, speaking in mid-May about the knowing that Everything and Everyone is Sacred, we invite you to travel with us in spirit to the Pacific Northwest to be inspired by the stories, science, and sacred knowledge naturalist Lyanda Lynn Haupt weaves together in her award-winning book, Rooted.
In a time when it’s easy to be overwhelmed about what to do to support the planet, Haupt says rootedness is one way—possibly the most important way—to move forward:
“Rootedness is a way of being in concert with the wilderness—and wildness—that sustains humans and all of life… rooted lives are radically intertwined with the vitality of the planet. In a time that evokes fear and paralysis, rooted ways of being-within-nature assure us that we are grounded in the natural world.” –Lyanda Lynn Haupt
Please join us on a four-week exploration of the tenets of rootedness and how living in this way can bring forth strength, peace, hope, and possibilities for your life and the life of planet earth.
Comments: We enjoy the Eremos online offerings and this year’s annual series–which participants can register for any or all weeks–looks to be a lovely way to explore this “crossroads” of science, nature, and spirit in our own lives. Those who enjoyed the book Braiding Sweetgrass may enjoy this series as well.
Contemporary Possibilites for Public Christian Theology: Faith & Politics for The Rest of Us with Diana Butler Bass, Tripp Fuller, and Tim Whitaker
Dates and Times: Tuesdays at noon on June 4, 11, 18, 25, and July 2
Registration: Open
Cost: Donation-based class, suggested donation $150
Frequency: Weekly
Duration: 5 weekly sessions
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: Our contemporary public square is increasingly chaotic, toxic, and repulsive. Yet, our challenges as a people, nation, and species are growing. The rise of Christian Nationalism repulses a growing number of Christians who have a hard time thinking and speaking from a more vibrant theological vision.
Dr. Diana Butler Bass, Dr. Tripp Fuller, and Tim Whitaker are bringing together a number of alternative theo-political visions to introduce a multiplicity of vibrant, yet neglected traditions in public theology. With the help of some of the most powerful voices in the academy, participants will be introduced to these traditions and get to put them into action as we wrestle with our present moment, discovering the potential for an alternative public Christian witness.
Comments: A self-described “Pop-up Learning Community,” this is an asynchronous, interactive series of classes presented by Homebrewed Christianity where scholars and theologians address the current moment. We have enjoyed the Ruining Dinner podcast that Diana Butler Bass and Tripp Fuller do, and this series promises to be enlightening and enjoyable in that vein.
Stretching of the Heart: A Celtic Mini-Retreat on St. Columba with Abbey of the Arts
Dates and Times: Friday, June 7, 10 a.m. – Noon
Registration: Open
Cost: $25 – $45
Frequency: One-time event
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: St. Columba (or Columcille as he is known in Ireland) is most famous for founding several monastic communities, including on Iona, an island that continues to be a vibrant pilgrimage destination.
Join us two days before his feast day to reflect on the Celtic call to pilgrimage, which includes leaving behind what is known and loved and the grief that evokes, for the promise of new adventures. We will dwell in that liminal space of in-between, where we contemplate what shores we need to push off from and the ways the currents of love are drawing us onward.
Through teaching, meditation, poetry, and music, we will weave together an experience of walking the threshold of our own lives through the guidance of St. Columba’s wisdom for us.
Comments: We like the offerings we’ve participated in from Abbey of the Arts and this one, on pilgrimage, seems like a wonderful presentation in June as many people head out on vacation.
The Divine Exchange, featuring Cynthia Bourgeault, from the Center for Action and Contemplation
Dates and Times: Wednesday, June 12 – Sept. 11
Registration: Open through June 4
Cost: $195
Frequency: Weekly new topic; self-paced
Duration: 14 weeks
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes
Description: The Divine Exchange explores the idea of exchange as the dynamic medium for everything finite and infinite. Building on the foundations established in the Introductory Wisdom School, Cynthia Bourgeault continues to unpack the metaphysics of her Wisdom understanding to demonstrate how students can take the work even further through practices like kenosis and three-centered awareness.
Students will learn a simple, easily digestible metaphysical framework for engaging in transformational work. This container is used to present deeper spiritual truths. Teachings are brought to a deep level of knowing through embodiment exercises that are an integral part of the course.
This course will also look at parallels between Wisdom roadmaps from antiquity and Jesus’ Gospel teaching. Other important topics include the writings of Ilia Delio and Pierre Teilhard du Chardin, who provides a template for seeing Christian teachings from a quantum, cosmological perspective.
Comments:Note: It is recommended that you have taken Bourgeault’s Introductory Wisdom School class as a prerequisite to this one. We like the CAC presentations of Bourgeault’s work, because it makes it accessible; a wonderful starting point for those who may be tentative about engaging with this work in community–because the format is primarily online with only email interaction with other participants. This is nice for asynchronous participation.
Summer Interlude – Conversation with Lyanda Lynn Haupt, “Partnering with Nature to Thrive,” with Eremos
Dates and Times: Wednesday, June 12, Noon – 1 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: Free
Frequency: One-time event (part of Eremos Summer Interlude Series)
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes, for 1 month
Description: Naturalist and author of Rooted, Lyanda will join us for a conversation about how building a relationship with the natural world supports us in thriving throughout the twists and turns of life.
Comments: This is one in a series of one-hour presentations based on the Summer Interlude series that Eremos is presenting. It’s a great opportunity to hear the speakers who are leading the various groups this summer.
Summer Interlude – Conversation with David Wallace and Ana Vu Wallace of Metanoia Journey, “What Prevents Us From Thriving”
Dates and Times: Wednesday, June 26, Noon – 1 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: Free
Frequency: One-time event (part of Eremos Summer Interlude Series)
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes, for 1 month
Description: Drawing on one of the foundational contemplative practices of their community, David and Anna will share how Inner Work or looking inside can help us let go of or put in its right order what needs to change within us in order to thrive. We learn to lovingly, non-critically, and non-judgmentally observe ourselves.
Comments: This is one in a series of one-hour presentations based on the Summer Interlude series that Eremos is presenting. It’s a great opportunity to hear the speakers who are leading the various groups this summer.
July
Metanoia Journey’s Sunday In-Person Contemplative Gathering
Dates and Times: Sunday, July 7, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Registration: Not required
Cost: Free
Frequency: Monthly
Duration: 1.5 hours
Format: In person at The Seminary of the Southwest’s Christ Chapel 501 E 32nd St., Austin, TX
Recording Available: N/A
Description: The format of this gathering will include 20 minutes of Centering Prayer, a scripture reading from the sacred texts, a “message” offered by the ministers or guest speakers, community communion, and contemplative music. We invite anyone who wants to participate in performing a role to let us know. Otherwise, just come, rest in God, and receive.
This is a “contemplative service,” with 20 minutes of silent, meditative prayer. For those that attend that have not practiced Centering Prayer before, we have a copy of the brief Guidelines to practice the prayer available at the entry to the Chapel for people to follow along.
At this time, we do not have an area for children to gather separately or have a children’s ministry. Older children are certainly welcome if they can rest in silence during that time.
Comments: This is an opportunity to connect with other contemplative practitioners in person in Austin. While these are primarily Christian contemplative services, all are welcome.
Summer Interlude – Conversation with Rev. Dr. Mona West, “Lessons From the Garden on How to Thrive”
Dates and Times: Wednesday, July 10, Noon – 1 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: Free
Frequency: One-time event (part of Eremos Summer Interlude Series)
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes, for 1 month
Description: Using her passion for gardening, Mona will weave together stories of wisdom from the garden to help us cultivate spiritual practices for thriving.
Comments: This is one in a series of one-hour presentations based on the Summer Interlude series that Eremos is presenting. It’s a great opportunity to hear the speakers who are leading the various groups this summer.
Wild Goose Festival
Dates and Times: Thursday, July 11 – Sunday, July 14, 2024
Registration: Open (as a reader of Practicing Presence, use the code ABBEY at checkout to save 20%.
Cost: Winter Special $269 (ends March 19); Spring Special $299 (ends June 20)
Frequency: Annual event
Duration: 4 days
Format: In person, VanHoy Farms, Union Grove, NC
Recording Available: N/A
Description: Wild Goose Festival is a transformational community grounded in faith-inspired social justice. At our nationwide festival, we learn and grow by co-creating art, music, story, theater, and spectacle, engaging in a wide variety of robust, courageous conversations with each other and with thought leaders and artists from other communities. We are welcoming and hospitable to people of all faiths – or no faith – who join us in seeking the common good. We fully affirm and celebrate people of every age, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual identity, education, bodily condition, religious affiliation, and economic background, particularly those who are most often marginalized. We are rooted in progressive Christianity. For us this means moving beyond belief to center ourselves in justice and compassion, to walk toward those in need and to solidarity with the marginalized and the oppressed, acknowledging our own privilege and actively working to use our power to alleviate suffering and achieve wholeness.
Comments: We look forward to attending and have heard wonderful and affirming things about this festival. For example, in 2022, Diana Butler Bass’s sermon at the festival went viral as she shared Elizabeth Schrader Polczer’s groundbreaking work on Mary Magdalene. This year promises to be another rich experience of speakers, musicians, co-creators, and personal transformation for those who attend.
Contemplation and Care for Creation Certificate Program
Dates and Times: Starts in June 2024 and runs to May of 2025
Registration: Open – Deadline to apply is May 1
Cost: $1,300 with $500 deposit due with application
Frequency: Bi-monthly (see details here)
Duration: 11 months
Format: Zoom with 2 in-person retreats
Recording Available: N/A
Description: This is a year-long ecumenical program that shares the theology and spirituality of creation care. Learn to encounter the sacred in nature, interpret that experience, and reflect on its implications for your own life, your church, and society. Immerse yourself in the contemplation of nature in company with other participants, based on classical monastic spiritual formation. Study the integral relation of creation to the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith. Create a rule of life for yourself based on a right relationship with God and the glorious elements of God’s world.
Comments: We are familiar with the leaders of the Center for Deep Green Faith and have found them to be very compelling in presentations we’ve seen. They are well-informed environmentally and theologically.
August
Summer Interlude – Conversation with Dianna Amorde, “Refreshing Your Spirit Through Pilgrimage”
Dates and Times: Wednesday, Aug. 28, Noon – 1 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: Free
Frequency: One-time event (part of Eremos Summer Interlude Series)
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Online
Recording Available: Yes, for 1 month
Description: Blessed to be joining a few Eremos friends on a pilgrimage to Inishmore (one of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland) in mid-July, Dianna will share stories, pictures, and more about her experience and invite you to go on your own pilgrimage, even if only in your imagination.
Comments:This is one in a series of one-hour presentations based on the Summer Interlude series that Eremos is presenting. It’s a great opportunity to hear the speakers who are leading the various groups this summer.
Ongoing
Contemplative Chant
Dates and Times: Wednesdays at 4 p.m.
Registration: Open
Cost: Free
Frequency: Ongoing
Duration: 30 minutes
Format: Online
Recording Available: No
Description: 30 minutes of contemplative chant from Wisdom Waypoints, with chants led by Susan Latimer and Elizabeth Combs. Chanting is a wonderful practice for bringing both the Moving Center (body, breath, tone) and the Emotional Center (open heart) online. It is a spiritual practice that opens our hearts, nourishes our nervous systems, prepares us for prayer and meditation as a bridge into stillness, and connects us to our innate joy, courage, steadfastness, peace, beauty, truth and goodness. In times of great uncertainty and change, we find chant to be one of the things that most grounds us. These sessions draw chants from Wisdom Schools, various spiritual and religious traditions, sacred texts, old hymns and poetry. Because of the limitations of synching sound on Zoom, all participants are muted except for the one leading. This allows everyone to chant along in their own space. (Great if you are shy about sharing your voice! Fun if you like to try harmonies!)
Comments: Some of us join this contemplative chant weekly and enjoy it very much. We find it a wonderful contemplative practice. Wisdom Waypoints is the wisdom community started by Cynthia Bourgeault, one of our favorite wisdom teachers. Note that this is a small and warm group of regular participants. Therefore, it can be more difficult to participate anonymously.
The Abbey Tuesday Morning Meditation
Dates and Times: Tuesdays at 8 a.m. (Meditation at 8 a.m., optional discussion at 8:30 a.m.)
Registration: Open
Cost: Free
Frequency: Weekly
Duration: Ongoing
Format: Zoom
Recording Available: No
Description: A 20-minute sit, followed by a brief reading and discussion.
Comments: Of course we love this meditation group! It’s The Abbey, our own contemplative community.
Word of the Week
Dates and Times: Emails sent on Sundays, meets each Tuesday at 8 a.m. and Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Registration: Sign up for weekly emails here.
Cost: Free annual subscription (with recommended donation of $95/yr)
Frequency: Weekly, per above
Duration: One hour
Format: Zoom – link is sent weekly in the email on Sunday
Recording Available: No
Description: A beautiful email is sent on Sundays with the reading of Lectio Divina that will be done. There is a sit and then the Lectio Divina.
Comments: We like this because it’s a chance to revisit the reading for the week—and they always include beautiful artwork (it’s Lectio and Visio Divina!). We like the sense of community. It’s a pretty stable group and there’s a chance to share. We also like the balance of it—they are very mindful of the time, it’s just an hour. There’s a rhythm of it that we like. We read the emails each week and appreciate having the email in advance to sit with it a little before the group reading. There are also opportunities to interact online with the group during the week. We will note that it can be difficult to find the link for the Zoom in the weekly email; it is also spelled out here—the third bullet has link to the zoom with poorly brown highlighted “Click on this link,” but it also provides the zoom code and passcode in the email.
Wisdom Waypoints Daily Centering Prayer/Meditation
Dates and Times: Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m.; Monday/Wednesday/Sunday 6 p.m.; Saturday 10:30 a.m.
Registration: No registration required, join via website
Cost: Free
Frequency: Daily, per above
Duration: 30 minutes
Format: Zoom
Recording Available: No
Description: A collective wisdom pause for “Silence and Stillness.” Wisdom members lead each sit with a brief reading, chant, and meditation/stillness.
Comments: We like this because it is a way to maintain our personal practice alongside others with the degree of anonymity (or not) with which we are each comfortable. Wisdom Waypoints is a part of Cynthia Bourgeault’s network of teaching and practice resources.