Gather for May's Center for Spiritual Nourishment on May 10th

Join seekers of a deeper relationship with the Divine at the 2nd Saturday Center for Spiritual Nourishment. The CSN offers experiences that engage the mind, body, and spirit by offering safe spaces to explore an array of opportunities for spiritual growth. This gathering is for anyone interested in spiritual nourishment, regardless of religious affiliation or spiritual beliefs. Come for one session or the entire morning.

This month’s CSN includes a new offering, a community Bike Ride! In addition there will be group session for Spiritual Direction, Yoga, Contemplative Meditation, Drawn to God: Praying Through Art, Self and Spirit: Celtic Spirituality, and Spiritual Practices: Desiring God’s Will. The morning concludes with a short Reflection Circle Service.

Whether you've joined us before or are a first-timer, we are sure that there's something special waiting for you here. Everyone is welcome, and we hope to see you there!

Join us on Saturday, May 10th as we offer:

Bike Ride

led by Kevin Osborn

All cyclists are welcome on a one-hour bicycle ride! The ride will be self-paced and out-and-back. Kevin Osborn, a known ride leader in the CEC community, will lead the ride, which will be conducted according to Baltimore Bicycle Club rules. Riders should be adults and wear a helmet. You can rest your bicycles by the lower-level outside of the CEC New Brick building before 10:15, so that you can quickly "jump onto" your bicycles at 10:15, and begin. The ride course will depend on weather conditions, and it will be cancelled for steady rain.

Drawn to God: Praying through Art

led by Jenn Todd Lavanish

God gave everyone a gift - a special aptitude, ability, power or talent. And gifts are meant to be an act. Drawn to God is a place for spiritual nourishment through the practice of creating. Creating ways to engage with God. A short session of fellowship in process oriented art projects. Art as Prayer and Prayer as Art. No matter what gifts or talents you bring, you will be inspired to become a maker - and enjoy a moment of creative flow. Plus it is just fun to make things. The joy is in the journey, your creation your reward.

Film Screening: "Risen"

Roman military tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) remains set in his ways after serving 25 years in the army. He arrives at a crossroad when he's tasked to investigate the mystery of what happened to Jesus (Cliff Curtis) following the Crucifixion. Accompanied by trusted aide Lucius (Tom Felton), his quest to disprove rumors of a risen Messiah makes him question his own beliefs and spirituality. As his journey takes him to places never dreamed of, Clavius discovers the truth that he's been seeking. This will take place in the theatre area in the Parish Office building's lower level.

Contemplative Meditation

led by Leah Chrest

Discover the desire God has to commune with us and how to inwardly attune ourselves to the Spirit's voice. Learn about the history of contemplative Christianity, study the power of breathwork, be led through guided visualizations, become proficient in multiple techniques for stilling the mind, and practice drawing focus into your heart center. In a mixture of teaching, discussion, and practice, strengthen your ability to engage in the equally important side of the conversation with God--if prayer is talking to the Lord, meditation is listening to God’s voice, and being changed by God’s presence.

Conversations on Spiritual Practices and Growth

led by Fr. Manny Mercer

How well do you know yourself? Which practices help you in trying to discern who you are, your relationship with God and how to best nurture that relationship? Join us in a conversation about how we can better know ourselves and deepen our relationship with God. If self-knowing leads to greater participation in life, then join us as we journey to better know ourselves. May's session will be focused on Desiring God's Will.

Yoga

led by Jane Adams

The word yoga means union. Yoga is a centuries-old sacred practice for integrating and unifying body, mind, soul, and spirit and involves the entire person. There is often breathwork and meditation, along with physical asanas or movements. This yoga practice will be customized to meet the needs of the practitioners who show up. If students prefer, they may practice seated in a chair. Yoga class will take place in the New Brick sanctuary.

Spiritual Direction Group

by Carol Abbott

In this spiritual discernment and direction group we will practice listening deeply to each other using prompts from scripture, poetry, nature, and our bodies. These practices are designed to help us notice and respond to the voice of the Holy moving in our lives.

Self and Spirit: Celtic Spirituality

by Michael Looney

Celtic spirituality is a theology that emphasizes the connection of humanity to nature and the divine. It also offers an alternative theology to the traditional Augustinian original sin doctrine. Join us as we seek to explore our divine connection, inherent perfection, and the beauty of creation.

Schedule of Events:

8:30 – 9:00: Breakfast and social time

9:00 – 10:00: Contemplative Meditation

Drawn to God: Praying through Art

Self and Spirit: Celtic Spirituality

9:00 – 11:15: Film Screening: Risen

10:05 – 11:25: Yoga (all levels)

10:15 – 11:15: Conversations on Spiritual Practices: Desiring God's Will

Drawn to God: Praying through Art

Bicycle Ride

Spiritual Direction Group

11:30 – 11:50: Reflection Circle Service