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March 2010
Upcoming Retreats and Programs
at Franciscan Living Urban Center for Spirituality |
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"What have you done with the garden
that was entrusted to you?"--Antonio Machado
Greetings!
Deep within each person dwells a rich inner life: powerful, potent and
full of possibility. This inner life is
sometimes called the true self, authentic self, or Soul. Like a garden that bears abundant fruit, the Soul
must periodically be cleared, pruned, planted, nourished, watered, weeded, and tended in order for
the authentic self to blossom and bear abundant fruit. Recently, I was privileged to lead a day-long retreat for about 30 women from a local church. Our time together was loosely structured around the enduring 1903 classic, The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Using the story as a form of narrative theology, our day was dedicated to Exploring the Secret Garden within each of our souls as we cleared, planted, nurtured, and celebrated the transformative life of the Spirit within through music, art as meditation, journal work, and shared wisdom. I was deeply moved by the power of mindfulness, prayer, and ritual to focus our reflection and the beauty that was revealed in the stories and experiences of those present.
Our Urban Center for Spirituality can also be likened to a garden. Within our small, sacred space located in mid-town Sacramento we nurture, support, and celebrate the inner life so that the life of the Spirit can be carried into the nooks and crannies into the world of daily living. The experiences and stories of the many participants in our programs nourish one another so that the secret garden of Franciscan Living continues to bear an abundance and variety of fruit as we enter our second year.
Crystal bowl artist and singer, Ashana, will return to Sacramento for a benefit concert on Friday, April 30th. Last May Ashana riveted an audience of about 150 with her soaring vocals and deep spirituality as she
brought her stirring music to the historic sanctuary of St. Francis of
Assisi Church in midtown Sacramento. This year's event will benefit Stanford Settlement, Bread of Life Center & Spirit in the Arts and our own Franciscan Living. General Admission tickets are $35.00 and are available through Franciscan Living and Sunlight of the Spirit Books and Gifts.
Our second year has also brought us the fruit of new energy and perspectives. We are pleased to welcome Lana Engler, who will facilitate two sessions in May on Franciscan Prayer. Lana comes to us from a Lutheran and
Catholic background. She has studied at Pacific Lutheran Pacific Seminary,
Graduate Theological Union, and the LIMEX program through University of Loyola,
New Orleans. Her spiritual journey has led her deeply into the Franciscan way of life and she is eager to share the fruit of her experience with others on the path.
We also look forward to
welcoming Lewis Robinson as a spiritual director at the Center. Lew will
complete his training in the art of spiritual direction in mid-May. He brings
experience and a passion for working with people in various recovery programs
as they seek to connect with their Higher Power. Lew will be accepting new
directees following his graduation from
the program at the Bread of Life Center.
Many of the retreats and programs we have offered at the Franciscan Living Center this winter were designed to assist with the pruning and clearing of the soul-garden. Through various events, participants experienced pathways to simplicity, silence, healing, mindfulness, and peace. We continue in this vein throughout the month of March with The Still Point,
an experience of BodyPrayer, that is dedicated to simple movements and
breath work, accompanied by reflective music. Our mini-retreat, Sand, Stone, and Spirit, is
an opportunity to enter the silence and simplicity of the desert as you
reconnect with the vibrancy and power of your inner life. Drawing on
the richness of insights from the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, our
retreat time together will include breath meditation, sacred
imagination, imagery, and shared wisdom.
April brings several opportunities to become acquainted with the SoulCollage® process, an experience of connecting deeply with one's soul. A Taste of SoulCollage: Awakening To Joy, is designed as an introduction to the process. This 3 hour workshop covers the theory, process, creation, and use of SoulCollage ® cards as a tool for self-discovery, healing, prayer, and transformation. All materials are included in the registration fee. In April, we are also introducing the SoulCollage® Studio which will be open on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 - 7:30 PM. Those new to SoulCollage ® as well as those with some experience in card making will find everything needed to create these beautiful "windows into the soul."
On Sunday, April 11th, Sabbath Prayer, Sister Mother Earth, will explore a Franciscan approach to relationship with the natural world as we listen to the heart of Mother Earth inviting us to a deeper honor and care for the garden of creation.
Our Urban Center also continues to offer individual Spiritual Direction, which is yet another way to soul-tend. Monthly 50 minute sessions are tailored to one's unique journey. The director serves as a guide to help the person notice and
respond to the powerful stirrings of the Spirit. If you
are interested in learning more about this ancient spiritual tradition,
please drop me an email or give me a call at 916.718.4797. I'd be glad
to meet with you to answer your questions about this practice. A
sliding scale is available.
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March Workshops and Retreats
BodyPrayer - Prayer of Stillness
Mondays, March 1,8,15, & 22 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Drop in - Donations for the Support of the Center gratefully accepted
Sand, Stone, and Spirit - a Mini-Retreat for Lent Saturday March 27 from 11 AM - 1 PM
$20.00 pre-registration; $25.00 at the door
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Saturday, April 3, 2010, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
$25.00 - Space limited - Pre-Registration Only
SoulCollage® Studio
Tuesdays April 13, 20, 27, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
$10.00 per session - Drop in
Sabbath Prayer - Sister Mother Earth
Sunday, April 11, 2010, 1:30 - 3:00 PM
$10.00 - Pre-Registration encouraged
BodyPrayer - Prayers of Joy
Mondays, April 12, 19, 26; 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Drop in - Donations for the support of the Center gratefully accepted
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SAVE THE DATES!!
Friday, April 30th Ashana Benefit Concert
7:00 PM, St. Francis of Assisi Church
Saturdays, May 15 & 22 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Franciscan Prayer with Lana Engler
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Who are You, God, and Who am I?
Franciscan Living Urban Center for Spirituality is rooted in this fundamental question that transcends the boundaries of space, time, race, gender, and religious practice. Like St. Francis & St. Clare of Assisi and their early followers, we recognize our origins in the Holy One and our kinship with all creation. Together we strive for authenticity of spiritual practice that manifests in the ordinary course of our daily lives and relationships. Through the spirituality of Presence we touch the Sacred and come to know the blessing of who we are as an integral part of the web of life.
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 The garden as a metaphor for the life of the Spirit has existed from ancient times. Gardens
are truly places of transformation, sacred sanctuaries that nurture,
protect, and celebrate life, beauty and growth.
How does your garden grow? We invite you to drop by our Center to find the supplies you need for a rich harvest.
May the garden of your soul bloom abundantly,
Margie Will, osf |
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