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Franciscan Living  

Urban Center for Spirituality

Exploring the Sacred from the inside out


SoulScapes

 April/May/June 2011  

Greetings! 

Are you open to RISK?
windsurfing
Earlier this week I participated in a gathering of Franciscan Sisters and Associates where we were invited to share our experiences of encountering the Sacred in the ordinary.  One of the participants shared her practice of noticing what she calls: "random acts of the sacred kind." I really resonated with that notion. Having a penchant for wordplay,  I  immediately set about trying to create a phrase that would capture the essence of her insight and, at the same time, provide a simple, memorable acronym.  What I came up with is: Random Interludes of the Sacred Kind (RISK).

For the past few days I have been considering how open (or not) I am to such interludes or experiences.  What I have discovered is that while I'd like to be open to RISK, I am not always conscious of when those moments happen. Our digital, 24/7, immediate gratification culture often leaves little time, space, or quiet for savoring the present moment.  Consequently,  I am frequently so distracted that I dwell in spiritual unconsciousness. Conversely, in those graced moments that I am conscious, I am humbled by incredible experiences of "synchronicity" as the power of the Sacred fills in the cracks of my ordinary life.

This week, we celebrate the feasts of Passover and Easter,  moments in the Jewish and Christian traditions that commemorate Random Interludes of the Sacred Kind.
Is there time and space in your life for noticing the stirrings of the Sacred?  Our spring calendar offers a variety of ways to become aware of the Sacred which are described below.  This spring we invite you to RISK at our Urban Center for Spirituality.

Blessings,

Margie

P.S. Remember to check out the 60 Second Retreat at the bottom of this newsletter!

In this issue:

 

R.I.S.K.

 

Event Schedule  

 

Soul Food

 

60 Second Retreat 

 

 

RETREATS

SEMINARS

WORKSHOPS

PRAYER

 

 APRIL 

Sat. 4/23
Franciscan Prayer and Presence Circle
12:30 - 2:00 PM

Tues. 4/26
SoulCollage
® Studio
5:30 - 8:00 PM

 

MAY

Mon. 5/2
SoulCollage
® Studio
5:30 - 8:00 PM

Tues. 5/3
60 Minute Retreat:
The Power of Vision
6:00 - 7:00 PM

Sat. 5/7
SoulCollage®:
SoulSongs
10 AM - 1 PM

Sun. 5/8
Sabbath Prayer:
SpiritTouched
1:30 - 3:30 PM

Mon. 5/9
SoulCollage
® Studio
5:30 - 8:00 PM

Tues. 5/10
Entering the Sacred Circle - Mandalas
6:00 - 7:30 PM

Mon. 5/16
SoulCollage
® Studio
5:30 - 8:00 PM

Tues. 5/17
Entering the Sacred Circle - Mandalas
6:00 - 7:30 PM

Thurs. 5/19
60 Minute Retreat:
The Power of Vision
11:00 AM - Noon

Sat. 5/21
60 Minute Retreat:
The Power of Vision
11:00 AM - Noon

Mon. 5/23
SoulCollage
® Studio
5:30 - 8:00 PM

Tues. 5/24
Entering the Sacred Circle - Mandalas
6:00 - 7:30 PM

Sat. 5/28
Franciscan Prayer and Presence Circle
12:30 - 2:00 PM

Mon. 5/30
SoulCollage
® Studio
5:30 - 8:00 PM

Tues. 5/31
Pray As You Can
6:00 - 7:00 PM

 

JUNE

Thurs. 6/2
Pray As You Can
11:00 AM - Noon

Sun. 6/5
Sabbath Prayer:
Sun, Sand & Spirit
1:30 - 3:30 PM

Mon. 6/6
SoulCollage
® Studio
5:30 - 8:00 PM

Tues. 6/7
Pray As You Can
6:00 - 7:00 PM

Thurs. 6/9
Pray As You Can
11:00 AM - Noon

Sat. 6/11
SoulCollage®:
SoulSongs
10 AM - 1 PM

Mon. 6/13
SoulCollage
® Studio
5:30 - 8:00 PM
Tues. 6/14
Pray As You Can
6:00 - 7:00 PM

Thurs. 6/16
Pray As You Can
11:00 AM - Noon

Sat. 6/25
Franciscan Prayer and Presence Circle
12:30 - 2:00 PM

Mon. 6/27
SoulCollage
® Studio
5:30 - 8:00 PM

 

Please see our Website for complete details

 

Click this link to view our 2011Calendar

 

 

 

 

 

Franciscan Living

is located inside  

Sunlight of the Spirit Books and Gifts

2314 J Street

Sacramento, CA 95816

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

RETREATS, WORKSHOPS, PROGRAMS

  

APRIL 

Franciscan Prayer and Presence Circle:

LIFE AFTER EASTER!! 

Saturday, April 23, 2011, 12:30 - 2:00 PM

Drop in - Donations for the support of the Center accepted 


 SoulCollage® Studio

 Tuesday, April 26, 2011, 5:30 - 8:00 PM

Drop in to make SoulCollage® Cards in a peaceful,  

meditative, atmosphere. All materials provided.

$10.00 

 

MAY

60 Minute Retreat:The Power of Vision 

In this 60 minute retreat tap into your passion and creativity, name your six word personal vision, and explore the light that shines from within. Led by retreat facilitator and spiritual director, Margie Will, osf, this energizing retreat makes use of the inspirational video, "Celebrate What's Right With the  

World," journaling and story- listening.  

The retreat will be offered three times:

Tues. May 3rd, 6-7 PM, Thurs. May 19th 11 AM- Noon or

Sat. May 21st, 11 AM-Noon

$10.00 pre-registration/$15.00 at the door*  


SoulCollage® Studio

Drop in to make SoulCollage® Cards in a peaceful,  

meditative, atmosphere. All materials provided

Mondays, May 2, 9,16,23,30, 2011, 5:30 - 8:00 PM

$10.00 per session

 

SoulSongs:

Creating Personal Meditation Cards With SoulCollage® 

Saturday, May 7, 2011, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM  

Introductory Workshop - all materials provided

 Pre- registration $25.00/ $30.00 at door*

 

Sabbath Prayer: SpiritTouched

Sunday, May 8, 2011, 1:30 - 3:00 PM

Pre-registration $10.00/$12.00 at the door*

    

Entering the Sacred Circle --An Introduction to Mandala Making 

 What do tree rings, sand paintings, and stained glass rose windows have in common?  They are all mandala forms. 

Learn the origin and theory of this ancient spiritual practice as you create your own personal mandalas for insight, healing  

and self-expression. Tuesdays - 6-7:30 PM 

Each session will focus on a specific type of mandala.  

May 10 - Nature Mandalas, May 17 - Healing mandalas,  

May 24 - Prayer mandalas.   

Single sessions $10.00 with pre-registration/$15.00 at the door. Complete series of three $25.00 with pre-registration*

 

Franciscan Prayer and Presence Circle

Saturday,May 28, 2011, 12:30 - 2:00 PM

Drop in - Donations for the support of the Center accepted

 

Pray As You Can-- Not As You Should!

Are you full of good intentions regarding prayer or meditation but find yourself too busy, tired, or distracted to actually pray?  Join experienced retreat leader and spiritual director, Margie Will, osf, for this series which will explore beliefs, attitudes, judgments and myths about prayer as participants experience a variety of fresh approaches to a personal spiritual practice. Tuesday Evenings, May 31 and June 7, 14 from 6- 7 PM or Thursday Mornings, June 2, 9, 16 from 11 AM - Noon. Single sessions $10.00 with pre-registration / $15.00 at the door. Complete series of three $25.00 with pre-registration*

 

JUNE

Pray As You Can-- Not As You Should!

(see May for description)

Tuesday Evenings, May 31 and June 7, 14 from 6- 7 PM or Thursday Mornings, June 2, 9, 16 from 11 AM - Noon. Single sessions $10.00 with pre-registration / $15.00 at the door. Complete series of three $25.00 with pre-registration*

 

Sabbath Prayer: Sun, Sand. & Spirit 

Sunday, June 5, 2011, 1:30 - 3:00 PM

Pre-registration $10.00/$12.00 at the door*

 

SoulCollage® Studio

Drop in to make SoulCollage® Cards in a peaceful,  

meditative, atmosphere. All materials provided.

Mondays,June 6,13,27, 2011, 5:30 - 8:00 PM

$10.00 per session

 

SoulSight

Creating Personal Meditation Cards With SoulCollage® 

Saturday, June 11, 2011, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM  

Introductory Workshop - all materials provided.

 Pre- registration  $25.00/ $30.00 at door*

 

Franciscan Prayer and Presence Circle

Saturday, June 25, 2011, 12:30 - 2:00 PM

Drop in - Donations for the support of the Center accepted

 

* Fewer than 5 pre-registrations for this session may result in the cancellation or rescheduling of this program.


Lewis Robinson

Dr. Lew Robinson 

Spiritual Direction

 

Many people find working with a spiritual director to be a transforming experience.  Our trained directors are members of

Spiritual Directors International.

 

Spiritual Direction sessions are usually 50 minutes in duration. During each session both the director and directee listen together for signs of the of the Sacred in the directee's life.

Margie Will, Executive Director

Margie Will, osf 

   

 

If you are curious about this ancient path, please contact one of our spiritual directors by clicking on the e-mail link.


dove

Soul Food

 

Awaken Me  

Risen One,
come meet me
in the garden of my life.

Lure me into elation.
Revive my silent hope.
Coax my dormant dreams.
Raise up my neglected gratitude.
Entice my tired enthusiasm.
Give life to my faltering relationships.
Roll back the stone of my indifference.
Unwrap the deadness in my spiritual life.
Impart heartiness in my work.

Risen One,
send me forth as a disciple of your unwavering love,
a messenger
of you unlimited joy.

Resurrected One,
may I become ever more convinced
that your presence lives on,
and on, and on,
and on.

Awaken me!
Awaken me!

 

from: Out of the Ordinary by Joyce Rupp

A 60 Second Retreat

 lilies

Try  this simple breathing exercise for clearing your mind of distractions and opening  to the Sacred.

 

Breathe the body empty-- Exhale.
Breathe the body full -- Inhale.
Mind in perfect stillness-- Exhale.
Like a mountain Pool -- Inhale.

(repeat as needed)