As Christians, prayer is at the heart of everything we do.  It guides and directs us in our daily lives, and our relationships with our family, friends, and ourselves.  Prayer helps us to become who we want to be and who we believe God is calling us to be.  Because of the all-encompassing nature of prayer, it is the church's job to provide a variety of ways to pray so that each person is able to find a connection with God. 

At St. Barnabas, we offer several avenues for this purpose.  You can read about them below and on the Adult Formation page as well.  Some are done in community, some are done independently, but all are meant to further each person’s relationship with God. Please be in touch with us to know more about our programs.

Centering Prayer: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel
Contact: Ethel Sickert

Jesus taught that God is ever-present, compassionate love. He modeled a relationship with God as Abba (Father): a relationship of complete intimacy in which God is closer to us than we are to even ourselves.

Centering Prayer is a type of prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of God within ourselves and helps us to become immediately present to God within ourselves. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questions.

Centering Prayer Groups
Contact: Ethel Sickert

Several Centering Prayer Groups meet weekly, Monday evenings and Tuesday mornings at St. Barnabas, to support one another in the practice of Centering Prayer by viewing different video series, such as the Thomas Keating Spiritual Journey video series, among others.

Our Rector, Jim Clark, joins our Monday evening group the second Monday of each month to share his experience and teaching on the practice of Centering Prayer. Jim shares experiences from over 20 years of contemplative practice and fourteen years of Centering Prayer. Jim's prayer practice includes a partnership with Thomas Keating and the Center for Contemplative Outreach where Jim was an active Faculty member for ten years.

Introduction to Centering Prayer Program
Contact: Ethel Sickert

At St. Barnabas, the method is taught in programs consisting of an all-day Saturday session conducted by Jim Clark, which provides all the essentials of a regular practice of Centering Prayer. The introductory session is followed by five evening sessions facilitated by Liza Bell, where continued training and practice in the method occurs. These programs are ecumenical and open to everyone who wants to learn the practice of Centering Prayer. All sessions are held in the Gwen Harris Music Center and registration is required.  Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questions.

The next introductory class begins:         

                     Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 9:30am - 3:00pm

Quiet Days
Contact: Ann Hott

Quiet Days are scheduled once a month, usually on the second Saturday of the month, from 9:30am to 1:00pm in the Sanctuary. The morning consists of a three-part rhythm:

• a twenty-minute devotional talk on the theme of the day, followed by

• twenty minutes in which participants are on their own and can meander anywhere on the campus to reflect quietly on that theme, followed by

• twenty minutes of silent prayer in the sanctuary.

In their silent prayer, participants often practice Centering Prayer or some other form of Christian meditation/contemplation. For those who are not accustomed to contemplation, a reading room is provided where participants are invited to continue a more active and reflective prayer time. This three-part rhythm is repeated three times, and the day concludes with Holy Eucharist. Themes for Quiet Days are selected primarily from the Episcopal Liturgical Year, Scriptures, and prayer practices of the Christian contemplative tradition. All who seek a contemplative experience are welcome to join the days normally led by our Rector, Jim Clark. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Retreats
Contact: Ethel Sickert

We hold 2 retreats annually for adults that focus on contemplative life/Centering Prayer and our continually growing relationship with God. Please contact us to find out how to get involved.

            Upcoming Retreats:

                              Directed Spiritual Retreat:   April 8-11, 2010

                              Silent Retreat:   December 9-12, 2010

Spiritual Direction
Contact any of our Clergy

Spiritual direction is an ancient ministry, a unique one-to-one relationship in which a trained person assists another person on their journey toward an evermore intimate relationship with self, others and God. Spiritual direction is like a conversation between spiritual friends. It has been part of the Christian tradition since the 3rd and 4th centuries, when city people ventured into the desert seeking spiritual guidance from the Desert Ammas (Mothers) and Abbas (Fathers). To engage in a one-on-one spiritual direction practice, please contact one of our clergy.