"I don't know
the exact moment Shalem was born.
It must have been
one of those cold,
dark Friday
mornings as
20 or so of us
gathered in a
circle and
sat on the floor
around a candle.
I can't remember
all of my
fellow seekers,
but I do recall
clearly the feeling
of silent intimacy
while sitting
in that circle.
I had found home."
--Marlene Maier, early Shalem staff member
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Are you looking to deepen your ministry of congregational leadership?
Shalem's long-term programs might be the perfect fit for you.
- accepting applications in the spring, program begins summer 2013
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Shalem's Mission is to
nurture
contemplative
living
and leadership -
a way of being
prayerfully
attentive
and responsive to
God's presence
and guidance.
"We know that our contribution is just a drop in the vast ocean; however, our
deepest desire is to make possible the dreams of those who are to come to
Shalem and
have no means.
We pray to continue
to contribute yearly."
-Shalem Donors
Thank you!
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"Lead a listening life. Order your outward life so that nothing drowns out the listening."
- Thomas R. Kelly, A Testament of Devotion
Join Shalem's FB page to view contemplative photos, inspiring quotes and be part of an online praying community of over 1600 people.
To join, click on the FB link below and LIKE Shalem's page.
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Events in:
New York
Virginia
West Virginia
Austria
Canada
Italy
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Support Shalem by
Donating through Amazon!
When you make a purchase on Amazon through the link below, as well as through the Amazon links on
Shalem.org, a portion of the proceeds will go to Shalem!
Please consider Shalem the next time you order something from Amazon. Do it via Shalem!
Thank you!!!
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Shalem Institute
40 Years: Trusting the Spirit
by Leah Rampy  | |
Shalem's first dedication
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1973 - Nixon was President, Watergate hearings were beginning, the Vietnam War was ending, and IRA bombs were exploding in London. Amidst this time of unrest, a longing to walk more closely with God was emerging. In Washington, DC, Tilden Edwards, a young Episcopal priest, led a small group of spiritual seekers on retreat. Sensing the Spirit's nudging, this group began to meet weekly. And in this quiet way, the seeds that would become Shalem Institute were planted.
"My own personal sense in all of that time was that God was up to something here. Our job was to set the stage and provide an environment, to provide encouragement, to provide shared energy or shared intent together. We might help with the "opening," but the rest was in God's hands." --Tilden Edwards, Shalem Founder & Senior Fellow
40 years! It is no mean feat for a non-profit to  survive for four decades, let alone to consistently and faithfully offer programs and resources to nurture the contemplative heart! I stand in awe of the work of the Spirit in continuing to breathe life into Shalem! Certainly the leaders of Shalem--Tilden, Jerry May, Rose Mary Dougherty, and many others-have committed numerous hours and much hard work throughout the years. And it seems to me that their biggest contribution has been and continues to be a radical willingness to listen to that Still Small Voice and to answer "yes!" to the call. 40 years of trusting the Spirit.
 I imagine that those early pilgrims never dreamed that they would be a part of founding an organization. But then I think it's often quite a challenge to envision how the Spirit will use any of us. I began my own journey with Shalem in 2004 when I enrolled in the Personal Spiritual Deepening Program (PSDP). I had no idea how that program would transform my life and how an authentic spiritual community would emerge from that shared PSDP journey -this among individuals who on the surface seemed to have nothing in common yet who shared a deep, underlying desire for God and the contemplative path.
Today, I am humbled, blessed and still amazed to  be a part of this organization. Every day I set my intention to live into contemplative leadership-and almost every day I fall short. Nonetheless, working in collaboration with our amazing staff and wonderful Board inspires and illumines me. Shalem graduates and program associates bring incredible gifts to our shared journey. We are blessed by all those who support Shalem financially; and it's hard to imagine how we could continue without your prayers.
40 years! We hope that you will join us in honoring Shalem's past, celebrating where we are today, and in embracing our hope for the future. As you'll see in this newsletter, we'll begin our 41st year with launching Shalem's first-ever Online  School of Contemplative Prayer. Many who long for support for their spiritual journey yet who are unable to travel to our on-site programs have asked for a way to participate online and our online school responds to those requests.  | |
John Philip Newell is this year's speaker at the Gerald May Seminar, May 17-18
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You'll note our upcoming Benefit where we'll be honoring Richard Rohr with Shalem's 2013 Contemplative Voices Award. John Philip Newell will be speaking at the Gerald May Seminar, and a Pilgrimage to Iona will be led by Carole Crumley and Tilden Edwards. Also in 2013, we'll be launching a new website that will offer increased resources for contemplative living and leadership. And we'll culminate our year of celebration with a 40-hour prayer vigil in October. Of course, during this time our "regular" schedule of programs will continue!
 Trusting the Spirit. Our world is arguably even more tumultuous today than when Shalem began in 1973. We are faced with complex issues that require mind-in-heart listening and a shared community of support. The ancient-yet-ever-new contemplative path is critical for our lives and for our world. And so the work of Shalem seems even more needed today than it was in 1973. May we continue to explore the spiritual life together, provide a spiritual home for seekers, and be ever-guided by a radical trust in the Spirit.
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Leah Rampy has served as Shalem's Executive Director since 2009. She has a 15-year affiliation with Shalem that includes serving on the Board as well as participation in Personal Spiritual Deepening, Deepening Contemplative Leadership, Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups and Retreats and the Shalem Society. She is currently co-leading Empowering Leadership.
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Shalem Invites You to a 
Benefit Evening to Celebrate Contemporary Contemplative Voices February 10, 2013
Special Recognition and Award will be given to Richard Rohr
 Hosted by Shalem's Board of Directors, this special fundraising benefit will include a talk by Richard, complimentary copies of Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self & a reception with light refreshments.
Contemplative Voices Award Benefit 
Sunday, February 10, 2013
3-6:30pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville
100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville, MD
Suggested minimum donation of $75.00 to support the ministry of Shalem Institute.
Space is limited.
For more information or to make a reservation, please click here.
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Shalem Launches New Online School of Contemplative Prayer February 3!
Thanks in part to funding from The F.I.S.H. Foundation, Shalem is pleased to launch the inaugural School of Contemplative Prayer 1, a 6-week online course that helps participants to explore various contemplative prayer forms. Through video, audio, email check-ins, a conference call, and the use of a secure, members-only web community of Shalem Institute, you will be accompanied on a journey to deepen your prayer life with like-minded practioners from all over the world! Starting February 3, this course is a wonderful companion during the Lenten season. We are humbled and happy to incorporate our learnings from 40 years of offering contemplative prayer groups into this exciting new course. February 3-March 10, 2013 Schedule at your convenience: you will receive Sunday and Thursday e-mails; we estimate 20 minutes a day for daily practice. Led by Carole Crumley & other Shalem staff $55.00
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Spiritual Guidance Program
Final Deadline January 15
If you would like to apply for this program, click here to learn more or contact Christine Jeffrey chris@shalem.org the Program Registrar at 301-897-7334 or download the application form (PDF) by clicking here. |
Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups & Retreats Program Final Deadline January 15
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Yoga & Drumming Retreat
January 26-27, 2013Early bird registration rate extended to January 18!
"Last year's retreat was such a sweet experience of prayerful community. I loved how the drumming and yoga flowed so well together as we explored the rhythm of body, heart & mind, listening for God's pulse amidst the drumming, and settling in to stillness with the yoga. I can't wait to be a part of it again!" - Katy Gaughan, co-leader and drum facilitator
  No prior experience with yoga or drumming is necessary. Drums provided or you can bring your own.
Saturday, Jan. 26 (10am) - Sunday Jan. 27 (after lunch)
Holy Trinity Spiritual Center
8400 Park Heights Avenue North, Pikesville, MD
Led by Katy Gaughan and Ani Vidrine
$235 early bird registration by January 18, 2013
$260 registration after January 18, 2013
Cost includes tuition, single room, shared bath and meals.
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Empowering Leadership II:
Discernment in Transition
January 26, 2013
A Chance to Bring Mind and Heart to Your
Organizational Leadership
 Saturday, January 26, 2013 10:00am - 4:00pm St. Paul's College
3015 Fourth Street, NE Washington, DC
Led by Ann Dean, Leah Rampy & Kendrick Curry$100 for the workshop
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Nurturing Day for Clergy
January 28, 2013
 Nurturing one's own soul is essential to spiritual leadership. Our time will include guided meditation, silent prayerful listening, reflection and sharing with colleagues who seek to lead from their spiritual heart.
For those interested in Shalem's Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership: Going Deeper Program, there will be a special introduction to the program at the end of the day. Monday, January 28, 2013 10:00am - 4:00pm
Shalem Library, 3025 4th St. NE, Washington, DC
Led by Carole Crumley, Director of Shalem's Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership: Going Deeper Program
$50. Please bring a bag lunch.
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