Spirituality

| Home | The Art of Engaging Holy Scripture | Centering Prayer | Quiet Days |
| Retreats | Spiritual Direction | Christian Yoga |

The ART of Engaging Holy Scripture (TAEHS)

A unique small group Bible study that is much more than a typical “Bible Study.”

TAEHS teaches a lively method of engaging the Scriptures through reading and study, conversational prayer and silent prayer, and group sharing. This dynamic method gently leads us to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit.This experiential focus makes all the difference.We become awakened to the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures, in our own self, and in our sisters and brothers. As our ability to discern the Spirit’s presence is refined, the method continues to nurture us in an ever deepening relationship with the Holy Spirit. At the same time,we are learning the Bible and retaining what we are learning. The small group context offers the opportunity for meaningful friendships to develop within our larger Christian faith community—and have great fun doing so! Participants report that the TAEHS program enhances their awareness of the Spiritual dimension of their lives and strengthens their bonds of community.

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Centering Prayer

and

the Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel

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In “fulfilling the Scriptures” Jesus taught that God is ever-present, compassionate love. He modeled a relationship with God as Abba, (Father), a relationship of unbroken, immediate intimacy. This is the “contemplative dimension of the Gospel”  --that God is always present, infinitely benevolent, and closer to us than we are to ourselves. Thus, Jesus invited us to enter our secret place and pray to our Abba who sees in secret and who rewards us with Abba’s own Presence.

This experience of God as Abba is the awakening to the contemplative dimension of the Gospel and the heart of Christian spirituality. The experience of God as immediately present within, a presence so close as to be beyond words, thoughts, and feelings, has traditionally been referred to as contemplative prayer. From the Christian perspective, this experience of God as Abba is the answer to the spiritual hunger of our times and the urgent quest for meaning.

The practice of Centering Prayer is a method of praying that prepares us to receive this gift of contemplative prayer, that is, the experience of God as compassionate love and immediately present to us within our own selves.

At Saint Barnabas the method of Centering Prayer is taught in programs consisting of an all day Saturday workshop conducted by Jim Clark and five evening sessions facilitated by Ethel Sickert. These programs are ecumenical and open to everyone who wants to learn the practice of Centering Prayer.

The Saturday session teaches all the essentials of a regular practice of Centering Prayer. The evening sessions provide continued training and practice in the method of Centering Prayer essential to develop an established practice of Christian contemplation/

meditation. All sessions are held in the Chapel. Registration is required.

Saturday Facilitator: Ethel Sickert                 

The next Centering Prayer workshop will be in October 2008.

To register please contact Ethel Sickert at 480.657.7639 or ethelsickert@cox.net.

Centering Prayer Groups

Several Centering Prayer groups meet weekly, Monday evenings and Saturday mornings, at Saint Barnabas to support one another in the practice of the prayer to view the Thomas Keating Spiritual Journey video series.  A daytime group will be formed if enough interest.

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 from over 20 years of contemplative practice and fourteen years of centering prayer.  Jim’s prayer practice includes a partnership with Thomas Keating and Contemplative Outreach in which Jim was on the Contemplative Outreach Faculty for ten years. 

If you are interested in attending or want more information, please contact Ethel Sickert at ethelsickert@cox.net.

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Quiet Days

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

• A twenty minute devotional talk on the theme of the day,
  
• Then twenty minutes in which participants are on their own and can meander anywhere on the campus to reflect quietly on the theme of the day,
  
• And then twenty minutes of silent prayer in the sanctuary.

In the twenty minutes of 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 the Quiet Days are selected primarily from the Christian Liturgical Year, the Scriptures, and prayer practices of the Christian contemplative tradition. 

The days are normally led by our rector, Jim Clark.

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Each year an annual all-parish adult retreat is scheduled and periodically other retreats are offered to support us in the life of prayer and relationship with Jesus.  The 2007 retreat was based on Parker Palmer's Book, Let Your Life Speak. 

Stay tuned for more information on the next retreat!

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Spiritual Direction

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, with others and with God.

Spiritual direction is like a conversation between spiritual friends. It has been part of the Christian tradition ever 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.

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Christian Yoga

Christian yoga provides excellent help in quieting the body and the mind to prepare us to receive the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Our instructor, Mary Engel, leads us in silent prayer during our sessions and teaches us how our breathing and bodily movements can support our intention to live with a greater sense of well-being.

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