Spring '10 Letter to the Community
Greetings to all!
2009 Highlights
In glancing back upon the last year, our Contemplative Outreach community has had wonderful opportunities for growth and support. Contemplative Outreach of Prescott featured a retreat Sept. 28th – Oct. 2nd entitled "Intimacy with God: Is there enough silence for the Word to be heard?" Showcasing the talent within our area, the retreat was presented by Robert Johnson, Fr. John Auther, and Rusty Swavely. Another event to mention was the SOULSWEPT Gathering Day, held on November 14th at Central United Methodist Church. Facilitated by Rev. Charlie Wherley, C.Ss.R, film clips were used to illustrate the transformative power of healing emotions on the spiritual journey. Detailed accounts of both events are located within this newsletter.
Since our last newsletter, our Phoenix Core group has welcomed the addition of Connie Weatherup from Saint Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church in Paradise Valley. We continue to meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month at Central United Methodist Church, located in the downtown Phoenix area. We always welcome new members of the community who are interested in helping to encourage Centering Prayer.
In the dawn of this New Year, we are granted the good fortune of deepening our own levels of silence, solitude, and service. In January, there were two 8-day intensive retreats. The Intensive Retreat (January 8th – 16th) included 3 hours each day of Centering Prayer, along with viewings of Thomas Keating videos on the Spiritual Journey. The PostIntensive Retreat (January 29th – Feb. 6th) devoted 4 hours to daily Centering Prayer. Immersed in silence and headed by Mary Leonard, both retreats were held at the Santa Rita Abbey in Sonoita, AZ.
Upcoming Events
Saint Barnabas on the Desert Church will be having a Centering Prayer introductory workshop on Saturday, March 6th, 2010, from 9:30am – 3pm. This will be facilitated by Rector Jim Clark. For information, e-mail ethelsickert@cox.net. Following this, there will be 5 follow-up sessions on Tuesday evenings from 7pm – 8:30pm. Saint Barnabas will also hold its 2nd annual Spiritual Retreat at the Redemptorist Renewal Center, located in Tucson, AZ, from April 8th – 11th, facilitated by Jim Clark.
United Day of Prayer
We also welcome and encourage you to join us on March 20th, as we gather for the annual International Day of Prayer on the theme Unity in Contemplation. This year, we are joyfully celebrating 25 years of being a contemplative community that each day consents to Divine love in the world. This is a day in which our worldwide Contemplative Outreach community experiences a silent bond of prayer and enrichment, and prays for the needs of the whole world. The day will consist of two periods of Centering Prayer and a special DVD presentations by Fr. Thomas Keating, recorded in 2009. The DVDs are entitled The Divine Economy and The Symbol of the Cross. More details occur on the back of this newsletter and on our website.
Please be sure to visit our web site, www.contemplativeoutreach-phoenix.org, to get the latest information on Centering Prayer groups, contact information, and upcoming events around your area.
Through the practice of Centering Prayer, may we become ever more present to the stillness of the Divine Mystery throughout each moment of the New Year.
Contact Persons/Coordinators
Contemplative Outreach contact numbers for Arizona are as follows:
- Rick and Kathy Kramer-Howe, Phoenix (602) 955-6057
- Robert Johnson, Prescott (928) 717-2441
- Phil and Mary Leonard, Phoenix (480) 966-7558
- Rusty Swavely, Sedona (928) 282-2080