 Contemplative Outreach of Central Pennsylvania Newsletter
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Upcoming Retreats & Workshops
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 Welcome to the April 2012 issue of the Contemplative Outreach of Central Pennsylvania newsletter. We are a chapter of Contemplative Outreach. Please consider sending us a few words on this month's question for the next issue. We'd love to hear from you, whether it's for the first time or you've contributed in the past. Please note the workshops and retreats listed in the left margin. There is still room if you would like to sign up! And Bethany keeps a waiting list if you would like to sign up for one of the events that are full. Two new offerings have been added to the list: a Seven Session Introduction to Centering Prayer, described later in this issue, and A Time Tailored for You, where you can spend time overnight, or just for the day, at Bethany to rest, relax, and be renewed. Bethany offers opportunity to pray with the Community, silence and solitude, spiritual direction, and the Labyrinth. As always, if you have suggestions or comments on the newsletter, please send them! Gwen Stimely and Jet Schneider |
Food for Thought
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Theological Principles of Contemplative Outreach
 There are 16 theological principles to help guide the organization of Contemplative Outreach. A great deal of thought went into developing these principles, and they fit nicely into our "Food for Thought" column. In our last issue we included the first two theological principles. Below are Principles 3 through 6: 3. Listening to the word of God in Scripture through the practice of Lectio Divina is encouraged, particularly its movement into contemplative prayer, which a daily practice of Centering Prayer facilitates. 4. The source of Centering Prayer is the Indwelling Trinity. Its practice consists of responding to the call of the Holy Spirit to consent to the Divine presence and action within. 5. The Divine presence affirms our basic core of goodness made in the image of God. 6 The Divine action is the process of transformation in Christ which inspires and deepens our consent. Back to Top
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| Reader Submissions |
| In our last issue, we published the first two Theological Principles of Contemplative Outreach. - Contemplative Outreach is a community of individuals and Centering Prayer groups committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in everyday life.
- A commitment to the daily practice of Centering Prayer is the primary expression of belonging.
We asked you to share your thoughts on what these principles mean to you personally.
 from S. R. (Sam)
For me, centering prayer in the sense of belonging is what brings us closer to God in the silence of his language and allows us to share in Spirit the unity of our Spirits combined. For me this sense of belonging becomes more intense when I have included contemplation as part of a daily prayer life which includes indulgence prayers, prayers of love and thanksgiving and the Rosary.
from G.S. State College
For me, a Centering Prayer "sit" with others is very different from a sit when I'm alone. There is a sense of encouragement and help that everyone is sending to each other to stay in that inner room, to welcome the presence and action of God within. There is a unique bond that connects everyone, even if we don't know each other in the usual sense. The Contemplative Outreach organization provides a structure and framework that makes it possible for people to continue to "sit" together. I'm almost certain I wouldn't still be Centering every day -- about 14 years! -- if it weren't for Contemplative Outreach. I'm grateful to CO, and grateful that the primary expression of belonging is not expensive dues, a special uniform, approval by a committee, or something similar -- it's simply that daily practice of Centering Prayer.
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Angel Cards Fundraiser for COCP
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 A Fundraiser is underway to help Nancy Cord- Baran and Tim Reddington, our Contemplative Outreach of Central PA co-coordinators, defray some of the cost associated with attending the annual Contemplative Outreach conference in Colorado this Fall.
To help, we are selling packs of Angel note cards. One pack contains 5 identical, blank note cards with matching envelopes. The angel water color image for the card was painted and donated by Jet Schneider. The theme of the card is "growing," which we thought was fitting for COCP.....Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it and whispers....'grow, grow'. This text from the Talmud is part of the Angel painting, and is also printed on the back of the card.
The price of the cards is $5 for one pack of 5 cards. They are available at the Bethany Retreat Center bookstore or by contacting Jet Schneider. Back to Top |
Thin Places . . . Places of Transformation
| |  Submitted by Jet SchneiderRecently an article was published in the New York Times Travel Section, called: Where Heaven and Earth Come Closer.The article describes places we visit that we didn't plan, but rather unexpectedly stumble upon and that somehow touch us deeply, in the core of our being.These places somehow change us, transform us, facilitate "unitive moments" (a term coined by spiritual director and psychiatrist Gerald May, M.D.; to read more about this, please visit our January 2012 Newsletter). They are called "thin," because at those places the veil that separates Heaven from Earth seems thinner, more permeable. Recently I stumbled upon such a place while on retreat at the Bethany Retreat Center in Frenchville, PA. While walking the labyrinth on a very peaceful Saturday morning, I was suddenly joined by the Sisters' dog, Cocoa, and we proceeded to walk the path together. It was a very joyful, playful and unexpected experience, stirring feelings and memories in me of my inner child, who just wanted to skip and dance for joy in the sunshine. When we reached the center of the labyrinth, Cocoa and I sat down on the ground and rested and basked in the sunshine and in what felt like God's embrace. We could just "Be." I am deeply grateful for the experience, a true gift, and on days that are stressful or hectic I can take a few moments and remember the experience, and feel centered again. What are some of the "thin places" for you?
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Introductory Centering Prayer Workshop -- Just Added!
| |  What: Seven Session Introductory Workshop on Centering Prayer
When: Saturday June 30 from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, and the following six Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Where: Good Shepherd RC Church, 867 Gray's Woods Blvd, Port Matilda, PA 16870
Sister Therese Dush from Bethany Retreat Center and Nancy Cord-Baran will be presenting the workshop, which is being offered by Contemplative Outreach of Central PA.
More Info: Centering Prayer is a silent Christian practice for consenting to the presence and action of the Divine Indwelling. Based on Matthew 6:6, as well as the teachings from the 14th-century text The Cloud of Unknowing, John of the Cross, Thomas Merton and others, Centering Prayer is a method that renews the contemplative Christian tradition of silence, solitude and simplicity in opening and deepening one's relationship with God.
Practitioners will discover a level of prayer beyond asking for aid or offering praise - one that can lead to an intimate, graceful communion with God.
Cost $30.00 - (scholarship available) If you have attended the workshop before you are welcome to join us at no cost or a small donation. Bring a bag lunch. To register contact Nancy Cord-Baran 814-237-1002 or by e-mail.
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United in Prayer Day, March 17, 2012
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 The United in Prayer Day, an annual event during which all centering prayer groups in the world gather to pray in unity, was a wonderful day at the Bethany Retreat Center during which the participants were given the gift of experiencing being a True Body of Christ. We centered together in the morning, and then watched the Thomas Keating DVD especially released for the occasion. It had as the theme "God's House" - a House without walls, roof or floor, a House that is everywhere we are in God's Love, a House that connects us. Fr. Keating also used the analogy of us being attached by an umbilical cord to God's Womb, a very powerful image. In the afternoon we learned about Lectio Divina and practiced it together after centering in the Prayer Center. There was also time to walk the labyrinth and the beautiful grounds at Bethany during this lovely Spring day. At the end of the day, some of us gathered for a meeting to discuss the vision/future of our chapter. We would welcome more people to participate in the decision-making process, and also more reader participation in the newsletter (for example by sharing nature photographs to be published in the newsletter and/or responses to the Please Share question. We love to hear from you! Please just send your contributions to Gwen Stimely).
The United in Prayer Day DVD was purchased by our COCP chapter, and if any centering prayer groups would like to watch it, please contact Nancy Cord-Baran.
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Silences of the Soul
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 W hen the silences of the soul make their appearance, resting in God is already a way of reaching that oasis where our thirsts are quenched.
Brother Roger of Taize, in "Peace of Heart in All Things"
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Visio Divina: Praying with Images
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 After monthly practicing Lectio Divina in our centering prayer group for a few years, we recently started exploring Visio Divina, praying with sacred images, together. We have found that this practice does not replace Lectio Divina, but that it is rather yet another pathway to God, that has equally wonderful gifts to offer to those who practice it. -Ellen Jankowski and Jet Schneider, State College PA. Visio Divina (Sacred Seeing) has its origins in the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading). Visio Divina is a simple, yet profound prayer practice; here are some guidelines as how to do it. 1. Choose an image you would like to pray with - this can be an Icon, or any other (sacred) art image or object. 2. Take some time to center yourself in silence, in a place where you will not be disturbed. Praying with art after a period of centering prayer or other meditative practice will be helpful to become open to receive the graces of Visio Divina. 3. Start by gazing at the entire image- see the details, colors, shading of the image. After a while, begin noticing aspects of the art that "grab you," catch your attention. 4. Focus deeper on the detail of the image that has caught your attention, and notice what feelings, emotions, sensations, images, memories or thoughts rise in you. How does the image touch you? 5. After you have rested with the image for a while, aware of how your heart has been touched, focus on ways you want to respond. How is God speaking to you through this image? What is the invitation? 6. Rest, aware of the graces received; gaze upon the entire image once more, and offer a prayer of thanks to God, for giving you this wonderful Gift. 7. In our group, after the Visio Divina prayer period (15 minutes during which the participants spread out in the chapel where we meet to contemplate the image/art object individually) was over, we then shared the gifts we received with each other in the group, giving each person an opportunity to speak while the others listened intently, without commenting or interrupting. As with Lectio Divina, it is helpful to have someone facilitate this process.Back to Top |
Please Share!
| | As mentioned above, Theological Principles 3 through 6 of Contemplative Outreach are:
3. Listening to the word of God in Scripture through the practice of Lectio Divina is encouraged, particularly its movement into contemplative prayer, which a daily practice of Centering Prayer facilitates. 4. The source of Centering Prayer is the Indwelling Trinity. Its practice consists of responding to the call of the Holy Spirit to consent to the Divine presence and action within. 5. The Divine presence affirms our basic core of goodness made in the image of God. 6 The Divine action is the process of transformation in Christ which inspires and deepens our consent.
Please share your thoughts on what these principles mean to you personally.
Please write a few words (or lots of words!) and send them to us. Selected submissions will appear in the next newsletter. Please include your town and note how you would like your name to appear - Anonymous, Initials, or Full Name. Back to Top |
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