As Lent nears its end and Easter approaches, we find ourselves amidst a journey of spiritual growth and reflection. During this time, we reflect on the significance of this transition, embracing the lessons learned during Lent and anticipating the joyous celebration of Easter.
In this newsletter, we are excited to accounce a few upcoming events. On April 20, we will be hosting The Faces of Mary: An Online Retreat with Rev. Matthew Wright. Matthew will lead us on a journey of contemplation and action inspired by Mary’s role (and our own) as Theotokos–God-bearer.
The Abbey Church and The Contemplative Society are hosting an unique in-person Zoom retreat in Victoria, B.C. to intimately participate in the online experience of Holding our Planet: Wisdom School with Cynthia Bourgeault. The event will take place from May 25-30.
This newsletter also announces the release of a new MP3 recording of The Web of Life: A Retreat for Contemplative Solidarity, facilitated by Heather Ruce and Cynthia Bourgeault in November 2023.
Find out more below!
The Faces of Mary: An Online Retreat with Rev. Matthew Wright
When: Saturday, April 20th
Where: Online via Zoom
The Contemplative Society invites you to join us for an online morning retreat with Matthew Wright on The Faces of Mary. We will embark on a journey of contemplation and action inspired by Mary’s role (and our own) as Theotokos–God-bearer.
In this sacred space, we will delve into the profound significance of reclaiming the Marian icon for our own lives, ranging from her historical dimensions as a prophet of God’s fierce compassion, and, in her later years, a contemplative elder or “holy crone,” to her cosmic dimensions as Black Madonna and Womb of Creation.
Join us for this time of spiritual practice, teaching, and reflection as we draw on the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins, the mysticism of Thomas Merton, Holy Scripture, and the writings of early saints, discovering Mary as a face of the God-birthing dimension of our own souls.
~The Abbey Church and The Contemplative Society present~
An in-person Zoom Retreat with unique in-person activities:
Holding our Planet – Wisdom School with Cynthia Bourgeault
~With Centring Prayer Teachers: Heather Ruce, M. A., Joy Andrews Hayter, Ph.D., and Catherine Regan, Ph.D.~
When: Saturday, May 25th to Thursday, May 30th, 2024
Where: The Abbey Church, Victoria, B.C., Canada (formerly, First Metropolitan United Church)
The Abbey Church and The Contemplative Society present an in-person retreat gathering to intimately participate in the Holding our Planet: Wisdom School with Cynthia Bourgeault, hosted at the Mercy Centre in California and accessed in Victoria, B.C. via Zoom. This Wisdom School is aimed at contemplatives of all spiritual pathways who share concern about global cultural and ecological challenges impacting human and other life on earth. Join us as we come together to deepen our capacity to bring “skillful means” to the situation: forbearance, strength, compassion, right timing, spiritual generativity, and personal mettle.
~ New MP3 Recording ~
The Web of Life: A Retreat for Contemplative Solidarity
Facilitated by Heather Ruce and Cynthia Bourgeault
With additional facilitation by Lorie Martin, Jesse Burson, Therese DesCamp, Henri Lock.
How do contemplatives engage the world when forest fires, floods, and political uproar are happening in our own backyards? How do we stand in contemplative wisdom and be present in depth to the beauty and suffering inherent to the web of life on this blue-green planet?
With an intention of stabilizing ourselves in compassion, discernment, forbearance, creativity, and spiritual strength and courage, we’ll take a deep dive into contemplative solidarity and imaginal practices, as well as centering prayer, lectio divina, chant, movement, and silence.
–
From November 20 to 23 2023, The Contemplative Society (TCS) hosted The Web of Life: A Retreat for Contemplative Solidariy, at Loon Lake Retreat Centre in Maple Ridge, B.C.. This retreat was facilitated by the TCS Board of Directors and featured sessions with Heather Ruce, and Cynthia Bourgeault. The recording of this retreat is now being offered as an MP3.
~ E-Course ~
Holy Week Wisdom Teachings: Accompanying Jesus and Mary Magdalene through the Pascal Mystery
From April 3rd to 6th 2023, The Contemplative Society hosted a Holy Week Silent Wisdom Retreat, facilitated by Heather Ruce at Bethlehem Retreat Centre. This E-Course will walk you through the four-day retreat. This retreat E-Course immerses us into a ‘wisdom way of knowing’ through a daily rhythm of mindful walking, centering prayer, teaching, reflection, ritual, Gurdjieff Exercises and Movements, chanting, and contemplative free time embedded in the Great Silence.
