new CP group forming in Puyallup

[Cherry Haisten]

Hello everyone-- Below you will find a message from Charlotte Thompson announcing details about a new Centering Prayer group forming in Puyallup. A presenter in training herself, Charlotte will be facilitating this group. If you are nearby, please consider joining the group, and please feel free to suggest it to others you know who may be interested. Gratitude to Charlotte for taking this initiative and for her supportive pastor.

 

 

Dear Friends,

June 17, 2015 begins a new group for Centering Prayers at Celebration Lutheran in Puyallup.  Pastor Paul has been very supportive of this idea and of me, so, we begin.

I thought I would  share some information and background via email as face-to-face opportunities are limited, time is often compressed and this way you can forward the information on to anyone you feel might find it useful or may wish to participate.  You can also respond back to me with any questions.

The time allotted for the new CP group is 6 pm to 8 pm on Wednesdays.  We will meet in one of the upstairs rooms as AA starts setting up around 7 pm in the sanctuary. 

Every CP group is somewhat unique in format which they develop by consensus over time. 

Since I’ve only been part of one CP group (St Michaels in Olympia),  we will start with their basic format initially and go from there.  They are aware (at St Michaels) of this group and some may show up from time to time as well as other contemplatives from Tacoma, Puyallup, Federal Way, and Auburn. Centering Prayer draws from many religious groups as well as people with no religious affiliation. That’s one if the great joys in this process. There may be many new faces week to week.

The basic structure is:

6:00 to 6:10 opening reading

6:10 to 6:30 silent centering prayer

6:30 to 6:35 contemplative walk in room or other space

6:35 to 6:55 silent centering prayer

6:55 to 7:00 contemplative walk

7:00 to 7:20 silent prayer

7:20 to 7:30 closing reading

7:30 to 8:00 group discussion / announcements / process questions

For those seeking more information about background, process, instruction about Centering Prayer, Contemplative Outreach Ltd http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org and Center for Action and Contemplation https://cac.org are good web sites.

For in-person instruction, my mentor, Mary Solberg is giving an "Introduction to Centering Prayer" in Shelton June 20 and at St Placid Priory in September.  Mary and I will be offering the same Introductory class at Celebration on November 7 , 9 am to 1pm for those who can wait that long. Let me know if you need info on the earlier events. There may be other opportunities in the area.

It’s important for people to understand that many people come and go in Centering Prayer groups.

There’s usually a core of regulars and others that come and go as their lives allow or needs require.  Some grasp the benefits quickly.  Others grow more slowly.  It’s truly fascinating how individual yet universal this type of prayer is.

My hope is this group will be a spiritual oasis for our community as St Michaels has been for me and the Olympia area. 

 

It would be great to know if you are planning to attend or visit the group but commitment is not necessary. Last minute decisions are fine. We can always find more chairs.

Peace and blessings.  Please feel free to forward as you see fit.

Charlotte

Charlotte Thompson

 

Please get in touch with Charlotte if you have questions about the new group. And please feel free to get in touch with me if you would like to set up an introduction to centering prayer or other centering-prayer-related workshop in your parish or congregation or have questions about such programs.

 

Blessings all around from me,

cherry

 

Cherry Haisten
Program Director
The Center at St. Andrew's
111 NE 80th Street
Seattle, WA 98115
206-523-7476, ext. 304
206-909-1736 cell