Earth Mystics: Praying with the Mystics Series
Make a Date with a Mystic! A Free Series Open to the Public
Tuesdays, 7:30-9pm
"When I think of mystics, I think of ordinary people living out
an
incredibly intimate experience of relationship with God - gifted, too,
with wisdom, grace and spiritual communion. And I wonder what the
message is for me in my life today." — A program participant
The Earth Mystics Series highlights ordinary men and women who share an extraordinary connection to the Earth and all living beings. Please join us as we immerse ourselves in their lives and writings. Let their prophetic wisdom inspire and inform our own Earth consciousness and holy living. Each evening will include an introduction to the mystic, prayer, and small group sharing. No registration necessary. Free will offerings gratefully accepted.
| September 7 7:30-9pm | Julia Butterfly Hill - an American activist and environmentalist best known for living in a 180-foot roughly 1500-year-old California Redwood for 738 days Led by Patience Robbins Location: Hyattsville Mennonite Church, 4217 East-West Highway, Hyattsville, MD, 20782 Click here for directions. |
| October 5 7:30-9pm |
Julian of Norwich - a medieval woman mystic, anchoress, and religious writer Led by Liz Ward Location: Grace Episcopal Church, 3601 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA, 22305 Click here for directions. |
| November 2 7:30-9pm |
Francis of Assisi - Francis, a deacon and preacher, the patron saint of animals and the environment and founder of the Franciscans Led by Nicholas Amato Location: St. Camillus Catholic Church, 1600 St. Camillus Drive, Silver Spring, MD Click here for directions. |
| December 7 7:30-9pm |
Teilhard de Chardin - a French philosopher and Jesuit priest whose book, Phenomenon of Man, set forth a sweeping account of the unfolding of the cosmos Led by Ann Dean Location: TBA Click here for direction |
Staff Bios
Father Nicholas Amato has served 20 years as a pastor in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is a recent graduate of the Shalem's Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups & Retreats Program. He has done three-month sabbaticals in Rome, in Israel, and at Mepkin (Trappist) Abbey. His full-time ministry includes directing contemplative retreats, preaching parish missions, and offering days of recollection. He has Masters degrees in Counseling and Theology, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration.
Ann Dean is Director of Shalem's Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups & Retreats Program and Director of the Personal Spiritual Deepening Program Leadership Initiative. Ann is a spiritual director and nationally-known leader of retreats and conferences for deepening the life of prayer and developing new structures committed to contemplative prayer, Earth care and social justice. She has been a minister in the ecumenical community of the Church of the Saviour since 1994 and is a member of the Dayspring Retreat Mission Group.
Patience Robbins is currently the director of the Deepening Contemplative Leadership Program and also serves on the staff of Shalem's Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups & Retreats Program and the Personal Spiritual Deepening Program Leadership Conference. She has been involved with Shalem for over 10 years, a spiritual director for over 20 years and has participated in and led workshops on group spiritual direction for many years.
Liz Ward is an Episcopal layperson and Director of Shalem's Spiritual Guidance Program. She is an experienced spiritual guide and retreat leader and facilitates vocational discernment groups in local parishes.
Registration
No registration necessary. Contact Chris Jeffrey This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (301-897-7334) for more details.