Worship

Centering Prayer and Contemplative Offerings

Second Saturdays Centering Prayer

On the second Saturday of each month, St. Stephen’s offers two hours of contemplative prayer, from 9 until 11 a.m., at the church. The focus of the Second Saturday gatherings is a Christian practice known as Centering Prayer, a silent way of prayer that has ancient roots and that has been popularized in our day by Thomas Keating, William Meninger, Tom Ward, Cynthia Bourgeault and others. Keating’s book, Open Mind, Open Heart: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel, has become a modern classic on the practice of Centering Prayer.

The schedule calls for two 20-minute prayer periods, with a meditative walk in between, a half-hour quiet break, and two additional 20-minute prayer periods, with a meditative walk in between. Participants will meet in Palmer Hall Chapel, and the main church will be open for private prayer and meditation. This summer, members of the clergy will share their personal experiences with Centering Prayer during these Saturday sessions. The Rector, the Rev. Gary Jones, will speak on June 14.

The sessions are open to all, and participants may come for any portion of the two hours.Contemplative Outreach of Richmond provides a leader for the prayer times. There is also be a qualified teacher in the Vestry Room to give an introduction to Centering Prayer, and contemplative prayer in general. These men and women can provide information, answers and helpful consultation. For information, call St. Stephen’s at 288-2867, or Henry Burke, 288-9494.

Centering Prayer small groups

Following a day-long workshop on Centering Prayer led by the Rev. Tom Ward last fall, two small groups formed and met weekly to learn more about this form of prayer. Though the groups took a break for awhile, they will resume meeting during the week of March 2. One group will meet Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m.; the other will meet Monday mornings at 8:45 a.m. following Morning Prayer. Meetings last an hour. Each group practices the silent method of Centering Prayer, learns about the contemplative life through studying recommended books, and participates in discussions of this method of prayer. The groups are open and ongoing and welcome anyone who is interested in contemplative prayer. Information: Henry Burke, 288-9494, or via email.

Martin Smith to visit St. Stephen's in April

The Rev. Martin Smith is well known throughout the Episcopal Church for his ministry as a writer, teacher and retreat leader. His most popular books include A Season for the Spirit and The Word is Very Near You. He has recently published Compass and Stars. After many years as a member of an Episcopal religious order, he now serves as the senior associate rector of St. Columba’s Church in Washington, D.C., and continues to travel widely leading workshops and retreats.

He will be the guest speaker in the Rector's Forum on Sunday, April 20, and will lead an Eastertide retreat on Saturday, April 19.

Also coming this spring: an Icon Writing Workshop led by Rebecca Taylor.