2nd Sunday of each month
11:15 am LeeAnne's Office
Free Childcare available for small children
The Mystics Group explores the rich tradition of Christian mysticism by learning about the lives and idiosyncrasies of Christian mystics while reading a sample of their writings. We'll also practice Centering Prayer, which is the gateway to contemplative prayer. Centering Prayer is very much in the tradition of Hindu and Buddhist meditation. Each month we'll focus on a different mystic including their life and teaching; contemplate, and look for the silent voice of God in ourselves and the world. This group is led by Ben Miller
Sept 14-Introduction/What is mysticism-What is Centering Prayer?
Mysticism is essentially a direct way of knowing God. It has adherents in all the world's spiritual traditions, but the teachings of Christian mystics are often ignored both inside and outside the Christian world. Centering Prayer is a meditative method for arriving at contemplative prayer and allowing for the Holy Spirit to act within us.
Oct 12-Who were the Desert Fathers/Mothers-What is Lectio Divina?
The Desert Fathers/Mothers were the forebears of the monastic tradition in the first centuries of Christianity, before creeds and schisms began the historical mingling of Christianity and Empire. They established many of the mystic and contemplative traditions that have been handed down to us over the millennia. Lectio Divina is a method for meditating over scripture; for engaging in a deep dialog with the Gospel.
Nov 9-St. Julian of Norwich
Saint Julian was an anchoress at a convent in Norwich, England and lived from 1342-1416. She had many visions of both Jesus and Mary which focused on the deep and infinite love that God has for all creation. She is best known for the saying 'All shall be well' as a statement of ultimate redemptive faith in God's love of the world.
Dec 14-Hildegard Von Binge
Hildegard lived from 1098-1179 and is known for her impressive list ofaccomplishments, notably as a composer, philosopher and healer. Her cosmology is quite complex, creation centered, and focused around theCosmic Christ as the hub of that creation.
Jan 11-Etty Hillesum-Guest Speaker: Rev. LeeAnne Watkins
Etty is a twentieth century mystic (1914-1943) whowas raised in theJewish tradition but followed mysticism as a path unto itself, separate from any religious doctrine. That path itself led to connection with people and a deep sense of peace. She died in Auschwitz and her diary was published many years later.
Feb 8-Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
Saint Margaret Mary was a Visitation nun in Paray-le-Monial, France from 1647-1690 .She founded the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Roman Catholic tradition. She also experienced visions of Jesus. The devotional path she founded was based on His message to her of ongoing and undying love-a love forgotten and ignored by even the clergy of her day. She was heavily chastised by her peers for her visions and perceptions.
March 8-Gnostic Gospels/Gospel of Thomas/the Pistus of Sophia
The Gospels we read in church services are only part of the gospel writings available. The writings of the Gnostic Gospels show a different viewpoint of Christ and a different way of approaching life in Christ. They are morereflective of both a mystical viewpoint and of a more distinctly Hellenistic philosophical viewpoint. The Pistus specifically treats the Holy Spirit as a feminine entity and Mary Magdalene as Jesus' premier disciple.
Apr 12-No discussion-Easter
May 10-Saint Theresa of Avila
Saint Theresa was a Carmelite nun and lived from 1551-1582. Her work, The Interior Castle, is a classic on the subject of Contemplative Prayer. In it, she uses a castle as a metaphor for moving deeper into the rooms of our own consciousness as we approach the Divine flame at the center of ourbeing.
