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Diocesan Life for June 2011

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Lenten Quiet Day, April 9, at Mediator Allentown

[From Tim Bingham, Mediator Allentown]

Saturday, April 9 at 9:30am

Contemplative prayer: Lectio Divina/ Centering Prayer

Lectio Divina dates back to the Middle Ages and has been a big part of the devotional life of Benedictine monks.  Lectio Divina starts with slow devotional reading of a scriptural text. (“Lectio”) As we read gently, slowly, and attentively, we look for a word or a phrase that seems to have special meaning for us on this particular day. We read as we listen for the still, small voice of God and when we find the word or phrase that “has weight”, we repeat this word or phrase meditatively. We are encouraged to meditate carefully and devotedly on this phrase. (This step is called “Meditatio.”)  The third stage in Lectio Divina is called “Oratio,” or prayer.  In this stage, we take the chosen phrase and we use it to guide us in a dialogue with God in prayer. In the fourth stage, called “Contemplatio,” we let our mind flow in contemplation.

The second type of contemplative prayer, called Centering Prayer, dates back to the 1970’s when three Trappist monks developed a method for prayer that does not directly focus on the Divine but rather sets up the mind to be conducive to the Holy Spirit welling up within us. Centering prayer starts with our choosing a one- or two- syllable word such as “Abba” or “Amen.”  This word is then expressly selected by us as a “sacred word” since we choose it as a symbol of our intention to consent both to God’s presence within us and to God’s acting within us. Then, as we sit quietly without any expressed thoughts, we watch our mind.  Whenever a thought appears, we introduce the sacred word that we have chosen, and the thought will dissipate. The goal then is to be still and have our mind relatively free of thoughts, so that we can “contemplate.”

In this upcoming quiet day, we will discuss these two forms of prayer and then we will have a brief period to experience a taste of Lectio Divina and of Centering Prayer.

Lenten Quiet Day at Mediator Allentown

Organic God
A Lenten Quiet Day
Saturday, March 14, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Jesus often used images of nature’s organic growth to teach about faith: a sower sowing seeds; a grain of wheat falling into the earth; the smallest mustard seed becoming the largest bush for birds to nest in. This Quiet Day, led by Timothy Bingham, will incorporate readings from Organic God, by Katherine Moorehead, which explores these images, inviting us to reflect the God who gives growth to the earth and to our lives. Tim recently graduated from the Shalem Institue for Spiritual Formation and he and his wife Susan are active members of Mediator.

The format will be to have a 5 to 10 minute reading each hour, then pairing off for a brief period of discussion followed by silence.

Tim says, “I find that in a structured Quiet Day, it is easier for me to have concentrated meditation than when I am alone. The energy of the Church and of the other devotees helps me stay focused.”

Come and discover how the Organic God is creating growth in your life this Lent. Sign up by  email, mediatorec@verizon.net or call 610-434-0155 to register

Advent Quiet Day

Waiting on God, Saturday, Dec. 2, 9:00 to 3:00, at Trinity Church, Bethlehem. Led by Gwendolyn-Jane Romeril. Sponsored by Daughters of the King. Download flyer and registration form below.

Download waiting_on_god.pdf