Lent is a time to take some time apart and to reconsider where we are on our spiritual journey.
We invite you to join with us at a Lenten Quiet Day on Saturday, March 23rd from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. George's Church in Lowville (7051 Guelph Line RR# 3 Campbellville.)
Bring a packed lunch, though soup and beverages will be provided.
Take some time with us to experience a meditative walk, some creative activities including mandela making and prayer to feed your soul. All are welcome. If you are coming, please pre-register on the mauve form to the right.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Advent - A Season of Expectation
During this season of expectation,
let us take the time to open ourselves to possibility
of Holy appearance.
Virgin
by Luci Shaw
As if until that moment
nothing real
had happened since Creation
nothing real
had happened since Creation
As if outside the world were empty
so that she and he were all
there was — he mover, she moved upon
so that she and he were all
there was — he mover, she moved upon
As if her submission were the most
dynamic of all works: as if
no one had ever said Yes like that
dynamic of all works: as if
no one had ever said Yes like that
As if one day the sun had no place
in all the universe to pour its gold
but her small room
in all the universe to pour its gold
but her small room
From Accompanied By Angels: Poems of the Incarnation by Luci Shaw, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (June 19, 2006).
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
"Into Great Silence" Retreat Day
Come to a mini-retreat day on Saturday, February 11th 2012
At The Great Hall
1382 Ontario St., in Burlington
9:30 - 10 A.M. - Coffee and Tea
10 - 11:30 - Part 1 of movie, "Into Great Silence"
11:30 - break and get ready for lunch
12 noon - eating together, some time for reflection, walking, journalling.
1 - 2:30 P.M. - Part 2 of "Into Great Silence."
2:30 - sharing the gift of the day.
3 p.m. - safe home.
Review of movie by Amazon:
Nestled deep in the postcard-perfect French Alps, the Grande Chartreuse is considered one of the world s most ascetic monasteries. In 1984, German filmmaker Philip Gröning wrote to the Carthusian order for permission to make a documentary about them. They said they would get back to him. Sixteen years later, they were ready. Gröning, sans crew or artificial lighting, lived in the monks quarters for six months filming their daily prayers, tasks, rituals and rare outdoor excursions. This transcendent, closely observed film seeks to embody a monastery, rather than simply depict one it has no score, no voiceover and no archival footage. What remains is stunningly elemental: time, space and light. One of the most mesmerizing and poetic chronicles of spirituality ever created, INTO GREAT SILENCE dissolves the border between screen and audience with a total immersion into the hush of monastic life. More meditation than documentary, it s a rare, transformative experience for all.
Please register (free) on the Green form to the right at top ------->
There is no charge for the day, though if any would like to donate, there will be a donation basket available with proceeds going 1/2 each to Contemplative Fire Niagara and to our local Centering Prayer Group.
At The Great Hall
1382 Ontario St., in Burlington
9:30 - 10 A.M. - Coffee and Tea
10 - 11:30 - Part 1 of movie, "Into Great Silence"
11:30 - break and get ready for lunch
12 noon - eating together, some time for reflection, walking, journalling.
1 - 2:30 P.M. - Part 2 of "Into Great Silence."
2:30 - sharing the gift of the day.
3 p.m. - safe home.
Review of movie by Amazon:
Nestled deep in the postcard-perfect French Alps, the Grande Chartreuse is considered one of the world s most ascetic monasteries. In 1984, German filmmaker Philip Gröning wrote to the Carthusian order for permission to make a documentary about them. They said they would get back to him. Sixteen years later, they were ready. Gröning, sans crew or artificial lighting, lived in the monks quarters for six months filming their daily prayers, tasks, rituals and rare outdoor excursions. This transcendent, closely observed film seeks to embody a monastery, rather than simply depict one it has no score, no voiceover and no archival footage. What remains is stunningly elemental: time, space and light. One of the most mesmerizing and poetic chronicles of spirituality ever created, INTO GREAT SILENCE dissolves the border between screen and audience with a total immersion into the hush of monastic life. More meditation than documentary, it s a rare, transformative experience for all.
Please register (free) on the Green form to the right at top ------->
There is no charge for the day, though if any would like to donate, there will be a donation basket available with proceeds going 1/2 each to Contemplative Fire Niagara and to our local Centering Prayer Group.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Advent Longing
 |
| Photo Credit: Xolob58 on Flickr.com |
I invite you let surface your Holy Longing for God.
Try to find some quiet time every day to sense your deepest need.
You, God, who live next door -
If at times, through the long night, I trouble you
with my urgent knocking -
this is why: I hear you breathe so seldom.
I know you’re all alone in that room.
If you should be thirsty, there’s no one
to get you a glass of water.
I wait listening, always. Just give me a sign!
I’m right here.
As it happens, the wall between us
is very thin. Why couldn’t a cry
from one of us
break it down? It would crumble
easily,
it would barely make a sound.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Please check out an Advent Contemplative Fire resource here.
with my urgent knocking -
this is why: I hear you breathe so seldom.
I know you’re all alone in that room.
If you should be thirsty, there’s no one
to get you a glass of water.
I wait listening, always. Just give me a sign!
I’m right here.
As it happens, the wall between us
is very thin. Why couldn’t a cry
from one of us
break it down? It would crumble
easily,
it would barely make a sound.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Please check out an Advent Contemplative Fire resource here.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Living the Mystery Retreat Day - The Labyrinth
Our next event is a "Living the Mystery" Retreat day about the Labyrinth.
We are pleased to have Canon Paddy Doran to lead us in an experience of the Labyrinth.
This retreat will run from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M.
Saturday, 17 September 2011
at St. George's Church, Lowville
map here.
Please bring your own packed lunch.
Coffee, Tea, Juice and water will be provided.
Cost is $25 for the day (if you need a bursary to assist you with this fee, just email Stuart here.)
There will be time to learn about the Labyrinth,
time to experience it
and space for stillness, refreshment, journalling and insight!
All people are welcome to join us for this event.
Please pre-register using the form to the right ---->
Don't forget to hit the "Register Now" button.
Book early as space is limited!
Please pay in cash on the day of the event.
We are pleased to have Canon Paddy Doran to lead us in an experience of the Labyrinth.
 |
| Photo: Lars Hammar on Flickr.com |
Saturday, 17 September 2011
at St. George's Church, Lowville
map here.
Please bring your own packed lunch.
Coffee, Tea, Juice and water will be provided.
Cost is $25 for the day (if you need a bursary to assist you with this fee, just email Stuart here.)
There will be time to learn about the Labyrinth,
time to experience it
and space for stillness, refreshment, journalling and insight!
All people are welcome to join us for this event.
Please pre-register using the form to the right ---->
Don't forget to hit the "Register Now" button.
Book early as space is limited!
Please pay in cash on the day of the event.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Creation's Song - A Gathering
 |
| Photo credit: andycoan on Flickr.com |
at the Great Hall - 1382 Ontario Street, Burlington, Ontario.
God saw everything that God had made, and indeed, it was very good.
Come and celebrate creation with us.
You will experience:
Wale Song
Stillness
A Creation Labyrinth
A sense of your own creation
A reminder that all of creation is grounded in the being of God.
Please bring your family and friends and let's celebrate together!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Pilgrimage to Now/Here
 |
| Photocredit: SPhilip1225 on Flickr.com |
Everyone bring their own snack. This will include a hike in silence in twos or threes. A time to snack and share your insights and a teaching on walking meditation. Bring along those who you think would enjoy this time. For more information, please speak with Stuart at 905-634-1826 or email me here.
Map of Lowville Park
Inscription for a Garden Gate
Pause, friend, and read before you enter here
This vine-clad wall encloses Holy Ground.
Herein a mellowed garden dreams
away the years.
Steeped in serene, sweet light
and muted sound.
Herein tranquility and peace abide.
For God walks here at cool of
evening-tide.
Pause, friend, and strip from out
your heart
All vanity, all bitterness, all hate:
Quench, for this hour, the fever
of your fears.
Then, treading softly, pass within
this gate.
There, where the ancient trees wait,
hushed and dim.
May you find God, and walk awhile with Him.
written by Pearl C. Hiatt
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