Sunday, October 18, 12:30-3:30 p.m., Lilly Room (first floor, Church bldg.)
Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop
Contemplative prayer is God’s personal and unique gift to us and has been a part of our Christian heritage for centuries. If we are open to the gift of contemplation it may profoundly affect our daily life. The Centering Prayer Introductory Program serves to explain the gift of contemplative prayer and deepening of our relationship with God. The method of Centering Prayer will be presented and time will be allowed for practice of the prayer. Discover the meaning of Psalm 46: “Be still and know that I am God.”
All are invited to join for an introduction to Centering Prayer, a meditative form of Christian silent prayer that emphasizes opening the mind and heart to God. It is intended to deepen one’s relationship with God, moving from ordinary consciousness to a more open, diffuse awareness in which divine presence is experienced directly. Centering Prayer is a method of prayer designed to facilitate the development of contemplative stance in prayer, and compliments other types of more active prayer. Through a simple process based on consenting to God’s presence, all sit for 20 minutes in silence, seeking to release thoughts and focus attention on the present moment. Its roots trace back to the 14th-century spiritual classic, “The Cloud of Unknowing,” and even earlier to the writings of the Desert Fathers of Egyptian monasticism.
Facilitators:
Mary Beth Rines began practicing Centering Prayer in the early 1990s after attending the Introduction to Centering Prayer program at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove. As a lifelong Christian, Mary Beth felt a need for a practice that would deepen her personal relationship with God. She has sustained this daily 35-year practice, both individually and with many groups, as well as attending retreats. Mary Beth is commissioned by Contemplative Outreach Ltd. as a presenter of both the Introduction to Centering Prayer program and the Lectio Divina program. She currently serves at the Coordinator of Contemplative Outreach of Indianapolis. Mary Beth is an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and member at Northminster Presbyterian Church.
Anne Corcoran (not pictured) is co-presenting. She is a member at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Indianapolis. Anne completed the training to become a presenter of the Introduction to Centering Prayer program and was commissioned by Contemplative Outreach Ltd. in 2026. Anne has a daily practice and is a member of the St. Pius Centering Prayer group that meets online once a week and monthly in person.
There is no cost to attend. For planning, please click here to RSVP (and direct questions) to St. Paul’s parishioner Jan Johnson or call her at 317.605.3830.
If this introductory worksop is enjoyed, Centering Prayer at St. Paul’s is led by Jan Johnson weekly - on Tuesdays, from 6-6:45 p.m. in Roberts Library (first floor, Church building); all are welcome!