Contemplative Outreach of Greater Vancouver

Newsletter – April, 2011

Looking Ahead

Our major initiative in 2010-2011 has been and continues to be a process of Visioning for the Chapter. We began with a retreat when our servant leadership team was joined by four other service leaders to assess where we are now as a chapter and identify possible new directions, priorities and resources to move forward.

The need for more workers was identified and to this end, two new members have agreed to serve on the Servant Leadership Team and others have been invited to support the Chapter´s needs in specific ways. There is room for more helpers and we will trust to the generosity of the Spirit and the spirit of service within our Chapter to see that the needs are filled.

This month, the Visioning Workshop took place with 11 participants of the Servant Leader Team and others interested in the future planning. Through the wisdom of the Spirit, this process culminated in a common focus of strengthening the support for the Centering Prayer groups and their facilitators. Through this discernment process,the chapter senses an excitement in personal and corporate growth as we discern God's plans for us for the years ahead, with an increase in servant leaders and expanded service teams.

Retreats fall, 2011 and spring, 2012

Contemplative Outreach offers retreats faithful to the contemplative way. The key is heartfulness rather than mindfulness. Silence in a secure, nurturing environment allows our participants space and freedom to follow the prompting of the Spirit in and from their hearts.

We are grateful to offer a retreat in the fall of 2011 at Rosemary Heights Retreat Centre in Surrey October 27–20, 2011. The theme is The Welcoming Prayer. Details are on the website.

We are also filled with gratitude that the Chapter will resume its practice of offering an advanced one–week retreat. In 2012, the retreat will be held at Bethlehem Retreat Centre, June 2–8, 2012.

The theme,“Body and Soul,” will be introduced in short reflections by our retreat leaders over the week. Healing Touch will be available, along with the option for soul–friending sessions with our experienced retreat leaders.

Details HERE

Coming Events

Please mark your calendars if you are interested in attending our events. Details will be offered on our website as they become available.

• Extended Week-end Silent Retreat – October 27-20, 2011
• Advent One-Day Silent Retreat – November 26, 2011
• United in Prayer Day – March 17, 2012
• Advanced Silent Retreat – June 2–8, 2012

Introduction to Centering Prayer

At the heart of every contemplative outreach chapter is the desire to introduce the method of Centering Prayer to spiritual sojourners. I believe that anyone reading this newsletter believes that centering prayer and contemplation in the Christian contemplative tradition have deepened their relationship with God.

We invite you to help us fulfill the mission that makes us available to all who wish to invite us to introduce this practice to them.

A brochure has been designed which we hope will encourage congregations and parishes to explore Centering Prayer as a means of supporting the inner life of their faith communities.

If you are interested in being a part of this initiative you can print the brochure HERE. Your contact will be Anne at marlan2@telus.net.

Wishing all abundant blessings,

COGV Servant Leadership Team

Judith Ann Donaldson, Coordinator
Anne LaRochelle, Past Coordinator
Susan Burns
Karen Duddy
Wendy Eyre-Grey
Sandra Hanvey
Erica Thiessen

We acknowledge that any good accomplished by Contemplative Outreach is the work of the Holy Spirit.

- Theological Principle #13