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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 You are invited to:
SUMMER CENTERING PRAYER POP-UP Wednesday, July 8, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Benedictine Center of St Paul's Monastery 2675 Benet Road, Maplewood, MN Bring your own chair! We will be gathering outside on the grounds of the Benedictine Center. In case of inclement weather, we will move inside to the conference room in the monastery. Please join us! Save the Date!!
Minnesota Contemplative Outreach Fall Gathering Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Day of Renewal Invitation to Vitality in an Age of Uncertainty Facilitator: Diane M. Millis Give me the courage to live! Really live — not merely exist. Howard Thurman Upcoming 10-Day Retreat in 2027
Presented By: Contemplative Outreach Colorado, Snowmass Tuesday, October 12 to Thursday, October 21, 2027 Benedictine Center of St Paul's Monastery Maplewood, MN More information about the retreat To register, email Contemplative Outreach Colorado, Snowmass 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 2026 Summer Sunday Gatherings 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 8:00 – 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. There is no cost for participation. We meet Sunday mornings, from 8 AM to 9 AM CT. You are welcome to join as you are able; it is not required to attend every week. June 7: We will watch the 50-minute video interview of Sister Virginia Matter, Meridith Schifsky, and Carol Weber on the beginnings of Minnesota Contemplative Outreach June 14: Carol Quest will describe her history with Contemplative Outreach (including the origin of the 7 AM prayer group), how the Holy Spirit has been working in her life, and answer questions. Resources will be provided. June 21: We will discuss several of the Theological Principles and Guidelines for Service in the Vision Brochure. June 28: We will begin our next book study on Open Mind, Open Heart, by Thomas Keating. It is one of the foundational books by Keating on Centering Prayer, and many people find new insights on re-reading the book. Studying it is a way to deepen our practice. We will be using the 20th Anniversary Edition. It is a bit different from previous editions. 
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 5:00 to 6:00 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.