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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 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. 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. |
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 Spring Sunday Gatherings The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage By Richard Rohr 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 Lenten Series. There is no cost for participation. Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage by Richard Rohr It is available on Amazon in hardcover ($24.30), Kindle ($13.99) or audio ($11.34). How do we live compassionately in a time of violence and despair? What can we do with our private disappointments and the anger we feel in such an unjust world? In his most personal book yet, Richard Rohr turns to the writings of the Jewish prophets, revealing how some of the lesser-read books of the Bible offer us a crucial path forward today. The prophets’ writings reflect the full spectrum of human maturity. In almost every case, their initial rage and their accusatory words evolve into a profound pathos and lamentation about our shared human condition and the world’s suffering. Through astute critiques of culture and institutions, and their journey from anger to sadness, and ultimately compassion, the prophets exemplify what Rohr calls “sacred criticism”—a distinct approach to confronting evil and injustice that acknowledges the wholeness of history, the interconnectedness of every living being, and the reality of a divine and universal love. In this, they set the stage for Jesus, who follows this identical pattern. The Tears of Things breathes new life into ancient wisdom. It paves a path of enlightenment for anyone seeking a compassionate way of living in a hurting world. We will be meeting on Sunday mornings, from 8 AM to 9 AM Central Time, Starting April 27. You are welcome to join as you are able; it is not required to attend every week. Weekly Schedule: April 27 Introduction May 4 Chapter 1 May 11 Chapter 2 May 18 Chapter 3 May 25 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, NO MEETING 
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. |
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.