|
First Things
Morning Centering Prayer for Peace
7:00 AM CT, DAILY Sustaining the intention of peace for the Twin Cities,
we hold prayerful silence together, in unity, in love and support for all people in our communities. Hosted by facilitators from the Minnesota Contemplative Outreach community Discerning God’s Deepest Desires
Thursday, December 11th – Sunday, December 14th Benet Lake Retreat Center Benet Lake, WI Presented by Contemplative Outreach of South East Wisconsin Come away and re-treat yourself the way the Divine Lover of Your Life would have you be treated. Take time to reflect on God’s deepest care and desire that is just for “you.” 
Advent Silent Retreat Weekend
Friday, December 12 - Sunday, December 14 St. John's Abbey Guesthouse Collegeville, MN A silent winter weekend of Centering Prayer. Experience the abiding presence of God in a praying community. Facilitated by Mark Thiel and Jody Johnson. 
Thursday Evening Centering Prayer
7:00 PM CT, Thursdays Zoom: https://meditationchapel.org/peace-chapel/ Facilitated by Laurie Erickson 
Illuminations of Love
Words of Thomas Keating, OCSO Illustrated by Meridith Schifsky With full color illustrations and wisdom from Fr. Thomas Keating, this beautiful booklet is meant to be a companion for Lectio and Visio Divina. “With a grateful heart for the legacy he left us, and gratitude to the members of Contemplative Outreach who continue to make his teachings available today." – Meridith Schifsky, March 2024, Duluth, Minnesota You may order your copy, here. |
Sunday Gatherings
(This is the same link as is used for the 7:00 a.m.
Morning Centering Prayer for Peace) You are invited to participate in the 2025 Fall Sunday Gatherings Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God By Cynthia Bourgeault Those who are registered will receive an email with the reflection prior to the Sunday it will be discussed. Participants are encouraged to read the suggested materials throughout the week, considering the content prayerfully. Participants then convene as a group on Sunday mornings from 8 – 9:00 AM Central Time, to be in community with fellow participants and share how they experienced the weekly reading and their Centering Prayer and Welcoming Prayer practices.
All are welcome, no prior knowledge or practice is necessary. If you are not already registered, please register (click on the link above), so you can receive the weekly email, along with any programming updates. You do not need to register if you attended the Spring-Summer Series. There is no cost for participation. Mystical Hope is available from Amazon for $13.24 (used from $1.60). In our usual way of looking at things, hope is tied to outcome: “I hope I get this job.” Cynthia invites us to find our way to the hope that does not disappoint or fail. The Bible introduces us to a different kind of hope that has its source not in events, but in the mercy of God, a lifeblood of compassion connecting our heart to God’s heart and the heart of all creation. In five interwoven meditations, Mystical Hope shows how to recognize this hope in our own lives, where it comes from, how to deepen it through prayer, and how to carry it into the world as a source of strength and renewal. We will be meeting on Sunday mornings, from 8 AM to 9 AM Central Time, starting October 19. You are welcome to join as you are able; it is not required to attend every week. Weekly Schedule: Oct 19 Chapter 1 Oct 26 Chapter 2 Nov 2 Chapter 3 Nov 9 Chapter 4 Nov 16 Chapter 5 Nov 23 No meeting: Thanksgiving Week 
Looking for a way to strengthen your daily practice and hold silence in community? Click here to join the worldwide community that is practicing Centering Prayer online, together. Minnesota Contemplative Outreach Prison Ministry
Minnesota Contemplative Outreach is blessed with an active prison ministry that brings centering prayer to people who are incarcerated. We hold a centering prayer session at the chapel at the correctional facility at Stillwater on Monday afternoons from approximately 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and at the correctional facility at Shakopee on Wednesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Both locations can use more men and women volunteers. If you want more information about bringing this prayer to incarcerated individuals, please contact Mark Thiel. |
Welcome
- We are an ecumenical group of women and men volunteers ministering together to support and nurture the practitioners of Centering Prayer in Minnesota. We do this by providing teachers, sharing resources and building community.
- Centering Prayer is an ancient form of Christian meditation that deepens a practitioner's relationship with God.
- Minnesota Contemplative Outreach is one of more than 120 chapters in 53 countries formed by National Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., a worldwide spiritual network that provides support and resources for Centering Prayer Practitioners.
- We have 21 teachers offering introductory classes, retreats and other enrichment opportunities throughout the year. We also support Centering Prayer groups throughout the state.
- Please contact us if you have submissions for our blog, Presence & Action; are forming a new group; or would like to announce an upcoming event.