Programs
COMW Celebrates 25 Years
As we continue in our 25th year of retreat offerings (monthly and a six-day retreat in October), we embrace this theme for 2023: “The Healing Role of Contemplation.” We believe that a regular period of Centering Prayer practice will allow us to live out what God is calling us to do, bringing healing into a world in which conflict and injustice are all too present.
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We invite you to join us!
Benedicte Vibe Christensen, COMW Chapter Coordinator
September Retreat
September 23, 2023
9:30 am - 12 Noon
Program
The Rev. Freda Marie Brown will offer the welcoming remarks, and Benedicte Vibe Christensen, Coordinator of COMW, will introduce the video and following the video clips, will lead the discussion. The retreat will also include two periods of Centering Prayer.
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Registration Fee $25
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Benedicte Vibe Christensen, Facilitator
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Location
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer
5603 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD Tele: 410-435-7333
AN IN-PERSON HALF-DAY RETREAT
Invitation From God
Reawakening to the
Contemplative Dimension of Life
Welcoming remarks by
the Rev. Freda Marie Brown
Video Introduction & Discussion by
Benedicte Vibe Christensen
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In “Invitation from God” Thomas Keating is interviewed by Marie Louise Lefèvre, a Danish journalist, about contemplation and the spiritual journey and its implications for personal and global freedom. Thomas Keating explains how we are all connected to one another, as also suggested by modern science. Through Centering Prayer an inner peace is gradually developed, which gradually influences our lives and the way we function and relate to other people.
Thomas Keating describes the five levels of consciousness (ordinary awareness, spiritual awareness, the True Self, the Ground of Being, which is our rootedness in God and his creative power, and the Divine Indwelling, our inmost center,). Finally, Divine Therapy is initiated through Centering Prayer and its impact on the psychological and spiritual processes in human beings.
Directions
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer
5603 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD
From Washington, DC take the Baltimore-Washington Pkwy into Baltimore. Follow signs to I-83 N/Jones Falls Expwy. Take Exit 10A for Northern Pkwy. Merge onto W. Northern Pkwy for 2 miles to N. Charles St. Turn left onto N. Charles St. Drive 0.3 miles and turn right onto E. Melrose Ave. Turn right into the circular driveway of the Church and park in the lot.
PAYMENT BY PAYPAL OR MAJOR CREDIT CARD
When registering, you will be prompted to pay via PayPal.
NOTE: PayPal also gives you the option to pay by other major credit cards.
PAYMENT BY CHECK
Make checks out to COMW and mail to:
Linda Hall, COMW Treasurer
1959 39th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Confirmation will be sent upon registration. Reminders are sent the day prior to the event.
Questions? Please contact Benedicte Vibe Christensen, facilitator
November Retreat
Interspirituality and Centering Prayer
Saturday, November 18, 2023, 9 am - 12 Noon (via Zoom)​
Led by Netanel Miles-Yépez
Netanel Miles-Yépez, D.D., is an artist, philosopher, religion scholar, and spiritual teacher. He is considered a leading thinker in the Interspiritual and New Monasticism Movements. After studying History of Religions at Michigan State University, he moved to Colorado to study Contemplative Religions at the Naropa Institute. He was a close student of the innovative Hasidic master and leader in ecumenical dialogue, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (founder of the Jewish Renewal Movement) and Father Thomas Keating (Trappist monk and founder of the Centering Prayer Movement). Miles-Yépez has authored or edited over thirty books.
December Retreat
The Healing Power of Centering Prayer
Saturday, December 9, 2023, 9 am - 12 Noon (TBD)
Led by The Rev. Tim Grayson
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord,
and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” (St. Augustine)
Thomas Keating, one of the founders of the modern Centering Prayer movement, popularized the Centering Prayer process as “divine therapy" because it enables the healing of deep psychological wounds and promotes spiritual growth. According to Keating, this therapy leads to the “purification and healing of the unconscious, thus deepening the practitioner's relationship with God.” Acknowledging and releasing troubling thoughts that bubble up from deep within helps deconstruct the false self that emerges in childhood from our efforts to find security amid damaging societal and familial influences.
In this retreat, Tim Grayson, a member of COMW’s coordinating team and an Episcopal priest, will review the work of renowned spiritual guides such as Keating, Basil Pennington, Thomas Merton, Cynthia Bourgeault, and Jim Finley, who have written extensively on the healing properties of Centering Prayer. The program will include three Centering Prayer sessions and ample time for discussion.
Donations
Donations are always welcome! COMW has always made its retreats available at the cost of providing them. You might consider adding a donation for the benefit of our future programs to allow us to expand outreach activities. Make your donation here.