Center for Contemplative Living

Transcription

1 Center for Contemplative Living 3650 Yates Street Denver Colorado FALL 2013 JANE VENNARD TO PRESENT FALL MINI-RETREAT OCTOBER 19, 2013 Spiritual Practice: A Way of Life 9:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Center for Contemplative Living Spiritual practices are often understood to be those disciplines we commit to and do on a regular schedule. They are surely an integral part of living our lives of faith, but they are not the only way to practice. Around us is a vibrant world waiting to draw us closer to the holy when we are willing to open our eyes, our ears and our hearts. When we bring our attention and intention to the inner and outer worlds we can discover the many ways spiritual practice can become a way of life. JANE VENNARD is a Louise Warren Iliff Senior Adjunct Faculty in prayer and spirituality at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. After seminary she was called to a special ministry of teaching and spiritual direction and is ordained in the United Church of Christ. Jane is a spiritual director in private practice and a long time member of Spiritual Directors International. She teaches classes in a variety of ecumenical settings, leads retreats internationally, and is the author of numerous articles and seven books, the most recent of which is Fully Awake and Truly Alive: Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul (2013). See page 6 for more information and how to register. CAROLE KOSKI ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITIES AS COORDINATOR OF CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH OF COLORADO Following the retirement of Julie Saad on June 30, 2013, Carole Koski has assumed the responsibilities of Coordinator, sharing mutual leadership with Joanne Warner, our Administrator. C a r o l e h a s b e e n a practitioner of Centering Prayer for 18 years. She is a commissioned Presenter of the Introductory Workshop and has been teaching classes at our Center for Contemplative Living for several years. Carole is also a certified Spiritual Director through the Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program. In September, Carole will be facilitating the Summer Program conclusion as well as the Spirituality in Everyday Life class. We are grateful for her consent to serve our community. Julie will continue to be an active member of the community. COLORADO GIVES DAY DEC. 10, 2013 Contemplative Outreach of Colorado is a participant in the Colorado Gives Day. Presented by Community First Foundation, Colorado Gives Day asks you to give to your favorite charities through the website ColoradoGives.org, an online giving resource for every nonprofit participating in Colorado Gives Day. You can also visit this website to see where we have shared our goals, accomplishments, and much more. 100% of your donation will come to us. No credit card processing fees will be charged to us. When you give online any time between now and December 10th, the value of your donation will be increased by the First Bank Incentive Fund. Designate Dec. 10 as the giving date to be eligible for this incentive. You can also set up a recurring donation on a regular schedule. SILENCE ~ SOLITUDE ~ SIMPLICITY ~ SERVICE ~ SOLIDARITY

2 Workshops and Classes Fall 2013 INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP TO LEARN THE CENTERING PRAYER PRACTICE WHEN: Saturday, September 14, 2013, Cost: $25 PLACE: Center for Contemplative Living 3650 Yates St., Denver, Colorado TIME: Workshop: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. RSVP: By Thursday, September 12, 2013 FACILITATORS: Bob Mischke, Carole Koski, Julie Saad and Eric Peter Are you looking for a way to deepen your relationship with God? In our introductory workshop to Centering Prayer, you will learn a prayer method in which you sit in silence with God, opening your mind, heart and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery beyond thoughts, words, and emotions. At the workshop, you will receive instruction on the prayer, as well as opportunities to practice it.. The workshop is a prerequisite to the six-week Basic Centering Prayer, Course I. To register, visit our website, or use the form in this newsletter (page 7) or call the Center, Walk-ins are welcome. Continental breakfast will be served. The next Introductory Workshop will be offered January 18, STEP INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP TO LEARN THE CENTERING PRAYER PRACTICE WHEN: Saturday, September 21, 2013, Cost: $25 PLACE: Center for Contemplative Living 3650 Yates St., Denver, Colorado TIME: Workshop: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. RSVP: By Thursday, September 19, 2013 In our recovery, those of us who practice the 12 Steps found in AA, Al-Anon, and other 12-Step programs, sometimes find ourselves searching for the experience of emotional sobriety and deeper relationship with our Higher Power that is suggested in the 11 th Step. When applied as a daily supplement to the 12 Steps as an 11 th Step prayer practice, Centering Prayer opens us to the contemplative dimension of spirituality. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the basic guidelines of Centering Prayer and experience opportunities to practice it. The workshop is a prerequisite to the six-week Basic Centering Prayer, Course I. To register, visit our website, or use the form in this newsletter (page 7) or call the Center, Walkins are welcome. Continental breakfast will be served. BASIC CENTERING PRAYER (COURSE I) If you enjoyed the Introductory Workshop and want to make Centering Prayer a daily practice, this six-week basic course is the next step. Each week, you will view a video-taped talk on the Spiritual Journey by Fr. Thomas Keating, followed by group discussion. The course will cover such topics as prayer as relationship with God, the four levels of scriptural experience, resting in God, Centering Prayer as method, and progress in Centering Prayer. The Introductory Workshop is a prerequisite. The book, Open Mind, Open Heart, by Fr. Thomas is included. Cost: $80. Six Tuesday Evenings, Sept. 17 Oct. 22 6:30-9:00 p.m. Facilitators: Julie Saad & Charles Utter or Six Wednesday Afternoons, Sept. 18 Oct. 23 1:00-3:30 p.m. Facilitators: Joan Shanks & Bob Albrecht RSVP by Thursday, September 12 or sign up at an Introductory Workshop on Sept. 14. HUMAN CONDITION (COURSE II) This course delves into Fr. Thomas Keating s core material of the Spiritual Journey and the process of healing our human condition. In these video-taped lectures, he offers an evolutionary model for human development, describes the pre-rational energy centers and introduces us to the concept of the False Self with its afflictive emotions. You will learn how, through the practice of Centering Prayer, the Divine Therapist begins the process of dismantling our False Self, thereby healing our emotional wounds. Basic Centering Prayer, Course I, is a prerequisite. Fr. Thomas's book, Invitation to Love, is included. Cost: $80. Six Tuesday Evenings Oct. 29 Nov. 19 & Dec. 3 & 10 6:30-9:00 p.m. Facilitators: Julie Saad & Charles Utter or Six Wednesday Afternoons, Oct. 30 Nov. 20 & Dec. 4 & 11 1:00-3:30 p.m. Facilitators: Joan Shanks & Bob Albrecht RSVP by Thursday, October 24

3 SPIRITUALITY IN EVERYDAY LIFE (Course III) In this course, Fr. Keating continues to delve into the human condition, using St. Anthony of Egypt as a paradigm of a pilgrim on the spiritual journey and shows how this early desert saint s struggles mirror ours with the false self. Fr. Keating then takes us beyond the struggle to liberation from the false-self system and from our cultural conditioning. The course ends with instruction on adapting the spiritual journey into our daily lives: family life, professional life, active ministry and throughout the world. Courses I and II are prerequisites. Fr. Keating s book, Intimacy with God, is included. Cost: $80. Six Tuesday Evenings Sept. 17 Oct. 22 6:30-9:00 p.m. Facilitators: Carole Koski & Staff or Six Wednesday Afternoons Sept. 18 Oct. 23 1:00-3:30 p.m. Facilitators: Lorie Schwindt & Eric Peter RSVP by Thurs., Sept. 12 DIVINE THERAPY (COURSE IV) This course is based on talks given by Fr. Thomas Keating on issues that surface after Centering Prayer has been practiced over an extended period of time. Topics include Night of Sense, Night of Spirit, What Contemplation is Not, and Contemplation and Action. The class includes a twenty-minute period of centering prayer, viewing the videotape and time for discussion. Courses I and II are prerequisites. Gerald May s book, Dark Night of the Soul, is included. Cost: $80. Six Tuesday Evenings Oct. 29, Nov. 5, , Dec. 3 & 10 6:30-9:00 p.m. Facilitators: Carole Koski & Staff Or Six Wednesday Afternoons, Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20, Dec. 4 & 11 1:00-3:30 p.m. Facilitators: Lorie Schwindt & Eric Peter RSVP by Thurs., October 24 SPIRITUAL GROWTH GROUP This group will be exploring Richard Rohr s book Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self. In Falling Upward (and in many of his other teachings), Richard Rohr talked at length about ego (or the False Self) and how it gets in the way of spiritual maturity, especially if its preoccupations continue into the second half of life. But if there s a False Self, is there also a True Self? What is it? How is it found? Why does it matter? And what does it have to do with the spiritual journey? The book is included with the class and can be picked up at the Center after September 3 for those who want to get a head start on reading. Cost: $80. 6 Wednesday afternoons Sept. 18 Oct. 23 1:00-3:30 p.m. Facilitators: Nancy Burns and Dr. Christine Bender COMPLETION OF THE SUMMER PROGRAM Thursday, September 12 6:30 8:30 p.m. Carole Koski and Joanne Warner will present the wrap-up class for the Summer Program on Julian of Norwich on Thursday, September 12. Participants in the Summer Program are encouraged to attend this evening to share the journey they have experienced and the results of their journaling and discussion groups. There is no cost for this evening of community. Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 10. THE ETERNAL NOW AND HOW TO BE THERE All of us with our unveiled faces, reflect like mirrors the brightness of the Lord, as we are gradually turned into the image that we reflect. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Thomas Keating put together in specific and practical ways the ancient, perennial, and Christian tradition of now teaching. In his gifted style he helps listeners connect the dots between Scripture, the desert Mystics, the Benedictine tradition, the Buddhist masters, and other contemporary teachers. Cost: $70 5 Thursday evenings Sept. 19 Oct. 24 (skip 10/17) Facilitators: Sr. Bernadette Teasdale, Bill Wagner or 5 Wednesday afternoons, Oct. 30 Dec. 4 (skip 11/27) Facilitators: Sr. Bernadette Teasdale, Jo Ann Rivera 3

4 CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM 4 Thursdays, Oct.31-Nov. 21 6:30-9:00 p.m. Presenter: Dr. Bob Mischke What did Jesus and the great Christian mystics including John of the Cross, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, Meister Eckhart, and many others, have in common? What are the pearls of wisdom they passed on to us? How can we live these great wisdom teachings today? Join us for these four Thursday evenings as we explore together how these sacred teachings resonate with modern life and modern teachings. Cost: $60 Movie Night The Mission with Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons Friday, October 25 6:00-9:00pm A powerful action epic about a man of the sword and a man of the cloth who unite to shield a South American Indian tribe from brutal subjugation by 18th-century colonial empires. If you took Course IV of the Spiritual Journey Series Divine Therapy you might remember Father Thomas talking about this movie as an illustration of the mythic membership level of consciousness. Join us for a thought-provoking movie and discussion. We ll provide the popcorn, candy, and sodas. Cost: Donation PRESENTATION AND BOOK SIGNING WITH BLAIR ASHBY SATURDAY, October 12 9:00-11:00 a.m. Blair Ashby is a man of many talents. He is a music composer, a recording engineer, and now an author. He has recorded Contemplative Outreach and other spiritual speakers for the last 15 years, including Fr. Thomas Keating and Fr. Tony D Souza. His new book, Talking Man to Man, takes learnings from these wellsprings of hope and applies them to his own personal journey through the dark night. This book is really a message for everyone, just put into man language. Retreats and Days of Prayer ADVENT WEEKEND INTENSIVE RETREAT December 6-8 Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat Center Sedalia, CO Cost: $210 A non-refundable deposit of $80 is due with registration Taking time out for a contemplative retreat is a great way of renewing mind, body, and spirit while deepening your Centering Prayer practice. Our weekend intensive retreat presents an ideal opportunity to experience the embrace of nature and the grace of silence. The weekend includes periods of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, and time for solitude. Retreats are open to those who have incorporated a Centering Prayer practice into their daily lives for at least six months. The Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House is located in the foothills and surrounded by panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. The beautiful grounds offer the perfect setting for solitude, reflection, and prayer. 4 CENTERING PRAYER IMMERSION EXPERIENCE Saturday, September 28 Saturday, November 16 Prayer: 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. The Centering Prayer Immersion Experience includes six, thirty-minute periods of Centering Prayer, separated by meditative walks. This experience is recommended for persons experienced in Centering Prayer. Refreshments will be available before and after the prayer session. You are welcome to participate with as much time as you have available if you cannot stay for the entire session. Walk-ins are welcome. Donation. HALF DAY OF PRAYER Saturday, October 26 Prayer: 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Come rest awhile with the Lord and enjoy a morning of silence with periods of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina (Praying the Scriptures) in the Center Chapel. Coffee and rolls are served. Walk-ins are welcome. Donation.

5 INTRODUCTION TO CENTERING PRAYER Saturday, September 28 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Cost: $15 St. Luke s UMC 8817 S. Broadway Highlands Ranch, CO This class will be facilitated by Contemplative Outreach of Colorado staff. Register with Lynda Fickling, lynda@stlukeshr.com or Glenda Watson, THE COURSE: A CONTEMPLATIVE LIVING EXPERIENCE We started offering this Course in September 2011 as a way of making some of the teachings of Contemplative Outreach s Nine-Month Course more accessible to the modern day contemplative. Participants meet one weekend a month for nine months on a Friday evening and all day Saturday. The program is built on an established practice of Centering Prayer and provides the guidance and formation needed to move into a more contemplative lifestyle. Community support and spiritual enrichment help participants integrate contemplative practices, such as the Welcoming Prayer, Discernment, The Prayer of Forgiveness and Contemplative Service, into daily life. For more information, please contact Rose Meyler at rcmeyler@gmail.com or SAVE THIS DATE! MARCH 22, 2014 We are excited to announce that Sr. Mary Margaret Funk will be the featured speaker at our 2014 Annual Conference. Sr. Meg is a Benedictine nun of Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, Indiana. From 1994 through 2004, she served as executive director of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue, which fosters dialogue among monastics of the world s religions. In addition to the five volumes of the Matters Series, she is the author of Islam Is...: An Experience of Dialogue and Devotion and Into the Depths: A Journey of Loss and Vocation. WE WOULD LIKE YOUR ADDRESS! There are times throughout the year when we need to let you know of an unscheduled event that we are offering. We also like to remind you of new class start dates during the year. Please or call us if we do not have your correct . If you received this newsletter by , you will know we already have it! THANK YOU!! If you would like to receive the newsletter only by (no paper copy) us at staff@contemplativeoutreach-co.org. ONGOING EVENTS WOMEN S CENTERING PRAYER AND SPIRITUALITY The Center, 3650 Yates Street Weekly on Wednesday afternoons 3:45 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Open to women who have completed a Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop and are practicing Centering Prayer. Note: The format for this group now follows a model of group spiritual companioning. We will have an orientation on Wednesday, September 4th, from 3:45-5:30 p.m. In order to be an ongoing participant for the September to January session, you must attend the orientation. To register for the orientation, use the form in this newsletter or call the Center. Cost: No charge. Facilitators: Lorie Schwindt, Bonnie Schweitzberger, Mary Ann Lenahan and Christina Oleske RSVP by Tuesday, August 27, 2013 INTENTIONAL PRAYER TIME We continue the opportunity to deepen your prayer with Tuesday morning Intentional Prayer Time, a period of Centering Prayer followed by Sacred Reading of Scripture (Lectio Divina). 10:45 11:45 a.m. No charge. MEN'S The Center, 3650 Yates Street Weekly on Tuesday Mornings, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Centering Prayer at 6:30 a.m. Facilitator: Hod Hutson Unity Church, University & Cornell Weekly on Wednesday Mornings, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Centering Prayer at 6:30 a.m. Facilitator: Don Cook The format and content are determined by the groups. For information, contact Hod Hutson, All are welcome! See all prayer group listings on our website: 5

6 Fall Mini-Retreat With Jane Vennard Spiritual Practice: A Way of Life Saturday, October 19, :00 AM 2:30 PM Registration: 8:00-9:00 AM Center for Contemplative Living 3650 Yates Street, Denver Contemplative Outreach Fall Mini-Retreat October 19, 2013 Name Registration: $55.00 Address City/State/Zip Total Paid: $ Phone Gluten Free Lunch Spiritual practice means having faith that there is a great treasure within your mind and heart, and then finding it. Learning to discover the treasure within you is the most worthwhile thing in the world. If you can put this into practice, you can live freshly, with a mind open like the sky, always overflowing with compassion. What could be better than this? ~Daehaeng Sunim Spiritual practices are often understood to be those disciplines we commit to and do on a regular schedule. They are surely an integral part of living our lives of faith, but they are not the only way to practice. Around us is a vibrant world waiting to draw us closer to the holy when we are willing to open our eyes, our ears and our hearts. When we bring our attention and intention to the inner and outer worlds we can discover the many ways spiritual practice can become a way of life. JANE VENNARD is a Louise Warren Iliff Senior Adjunct Faculty in prayer and spirituality at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. After seminary she was called to a special ministry of teaching and spiritual direction and is ordained in the United Church of Christ. Jane is a spiritual director in private practice and a long time member of Spiritual Directors International. She teaches classes in a variety of ecumenical settings, leads retreats internationally, and is the author of numerous articles and seven books, the most recent of which is Fully Awake and Truly Alive: Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul (2013). We will be serving a continental breakfast, beverages, and a light lunch. Since we are holding this event at our Center, space is limited to 150 participants. We encourage you to register early and plan on carpooling. Payment must accompany registration. Register online at or mail your registration form and check to Contemplative Outreach of Colorado, 3650 Yates St., Denver, CO For information or assistance call Cost: $55 (includes lunch) We accept credit cards! Make Checks payable to: Contemplative Outreach of Colorado Mail to: Contemplative Outreach, 3650 Yates, Denver, CO 80212

7 Snowmass Retreat Schedule 10-Day: $700 Double 8-Day: $600 Double September 3-12, day Post Intensive October 1-10, day Intensive November 4-11, day Post Intensive November 15-22, day Post Intensive January 14-21, day Advanced February 4-13, day Advanced March 4-13, day Post Intensive March 25-April 3, day Post Intensive April 29-May 8, day Intensive June 10-19, day Intensive July 29-August 7, day Post Intensive September 2-11, day Post Intensive Sept. 30-Oct. 10, day Intensive November 4-11, day Post I Intensive November 14-21, day Post II Intensive December 2-11, day Post Intensive To register for a retreat or to include your name on a wait list, please contact: Carol DiMarcello, 3550 Capital Creek Rd., Snowmass, CO 81654, or , coc@sopris.net. REGISTRATION FORM PLEASE PRINT Name Phone ( ) Address Street City State Zip address ** See Mini-Retreat Registration, Page 6. ** Introductory Workshop to CP.....Saturday, Sept Step Introductory Workshop to CP....Saturday, Sept. 21 Basic Centering Prayer Course I.....Tuesdays, Sept. 17-Oct Basic Centering Prayer Course I.... Wednesdays, Sept. 18-Oct Spirituality in Everyday Life Tuesdays, Sept. 17-Oct Spirituality in Everyday Life Wednesdays, Sept. 18-Oct Spiritual Growth Grp/Immortal Diamond.....Wednesdays, Sept. 18-Oct Conclusion of Summer Program.....Thursday, Sept The Eternal Now....Thursdays, Sept. 19-Oct. 24 The Eternal Now.....Wednesdays,Oct. 30-Nov20 & Dec 4 Centering Prayer Immersion Experience.....Saturday, Sept Movie Night.....Friday, Oct Half Day of Prayer......Saturday, Oct Human Condition Course II......Tues, Oct 29-Nov 19 & Dec 3 & Human Condition Course II.....Wed, Oct 30-Nov20& Dec 4 & 11.. Divine Therapy Tues, Oct 29-Nov 19 & Dec 3 & Divine Therapy Wed, Oct 30-Nov20 & Dec 4 & 11. Christian Mysticism....Thurs., Oct. 31& Nov Centering Prayer Immersion Experience....Saturday, November 16.. Women s CP and Spirituality Group...Wednesday, September 4.. Advent Weekend Intensive Retreat....Fri., Sat., Sun., Dec $80 non-refundable deposit required Amount Enclosed $25 $25 No Charge... $70 $70 Donation.. Donation.. Donation.. $ $80.. $60 Donation... No Charge $210.. Total Persons wishing to participate in courses for the second time may attend at half price. Scholarships are available. No classes are held the week of Thanksgiving. 7

8 Contemplative Outreach of Colorado CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUAL DIRECTION Being on a spiritual journey implies that you have a relationship with God, the Holy, the Creator, the Ultimate Mystery, a Higher Power. Like any relationship, at times we need someone to listen to our experiences and help us see and hear where God is touching our lives. Being heard is both a healing and a deepening experience. Contemplative Outreach staff members offering spiritual direction are: Andy Drance etandy@comcast.net David Frenette davidfrenette@mac.com Ann Gardner agardner53@hotmail.com Carole Koski carolemek2@gmail.com Rose Meyler rcmeyler@gmail.com Bob Mischke bobmischke@gmail.com Julie Saad juliesaad@msn.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sr. Bernadette Teasdale will be doing soul-friending by appointment on Tuesday afternoons from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Call her at to schedule an appointment. DENVER CENTER INFORMATION Office Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday staff@contemplativeoutreach-co.org Website: Joanne Warner, Administrator Carole Koski, Coordinator You are invited to join the staff for Centering Prayer at Noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday. THE CENTER WILL OPEN TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, THE CENTER WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS DEC. 13, 2013 THROUGH JAN. 1, You can now follow us on Facebook at Contemplative Outreach of Colorado. We will feature upcoming events and classes. Please Like us, Share with your friends, and post on our site! ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Please remember Contemplative Outreach when you move. We appreciate you letting us know your new address so you don t miss an issue of the newsletter, and so that the Center isn t charged for Return Address Service. Thank you. Mini-Retreat Information & Registration Enclosed Non-profit Org. Center for Contemplative Living Contemplative Outreach of Colorado 3650 Yates Street Denver, CO U.S. Postage PAID Permit NO Denver, CO ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED