Dear Middleway Urban Monastery friends, Perhaps it seems like a way to touch God, a reminder of God's presence or a way to keep one's mind on track. But whatever the reason, people have been using strings of beads as an aid to prayer for thousands of years. The first known religious picture is in a fresco at a prehistoric settlement in Greece dating from 1613 BC. And many religions in the world still use some form of prayer beads. In fact, the word "bead" comes from the old English word "bede" which meant prayer. We have a lovely display of prayer beads on display this week. Come look. Come touch. And, if you want, we will have beads available for you to string your own set to take home for your own prayers. Find out more about our events below! Middleway's Facebook Group
Beads of the world religions exhibit
How can tiny beads strung together or knots tied in rope impact a person's prayer life? The oldest known use of beads in a religious sense dates to 1600 B.C. They continue to be widely used by Christian and most other religions in the world.
An exhibit of prayer beads from Christian and other traditions will be available for viewing - and praying with, if you want - June 22-25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. We also have beads available to string if you'd like to make your own. The exhibit and activity is suitable for all ages.
'Why does God allow suffering?' topic of June book
The Middleway book club has made selections for the year. There will be one more book this season -- the C.S. Lewis book "The Problem of Pain," about the universal question of why God allows beloved humans to suffer. Then there will be a break for July and August. The year's books are below if you want to start reading.
The C.S. Lewis book will be discussed June 28 at 10:30 a.m. This is a hybrid meeting, so people may attend in person or via Zoom. Here's how:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86289918385?pwd=SjcwUW5NMlZnWUtlNFFYd01waVZzUT09
Meeting ID: 862 8991 8385
Passcode: 164675
June - The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis
July-August -- no book club
September - The Lost Page: An Archeological Thriller, Joe Edd Morris
October - Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, Cynthia Bourgeault
November - Lying Awake, Mark Salzman
December - Unwrapping the Names of Jesus; an Advent Devotional, Asheritah Ciuciu
January - A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions that are Transforming the Faith, Brian McLaren
February – Four Loves – C.S. Lewis
March - St. Benedict on the Freeway: A Rule of Life for the 21st Century, Corrine Ware
April – Boundaries; Take Control of your Life, Dr, Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
May - With Open Hands, Henri Nouwen
Tell us what topics, events you would like to explore Our spiritual directors are planning the coming year and would like your input. As you think about where you are with God, what topics would you be interested in learning more about in a discussion group, retreat, workshop or other type of gathering? Let us know at info@middlewayurbanmonastery.org. Spiritual direction offered at Middleway A spiritual director is one who can listen to you with a holy ear and doesn't try to "fix" you with their solutions. Being listened to -- truly listened to -- is powerfully healing. Spiritual directors at Middleway are trained and vetted so we know your story will be heard and kept in confidence. After selecting a spiritual director, a person normally plans to meet with that person monthly for an hour. Our current spiritual directors are listed at https://www.middlewayurbanmonastery.org/spiritual-direction. Let us know if we can help you find a listening soul companion. School for spiritual formation, direction applications due FIND _ School for Spiritual Direction and Formation, now in its 25th year and hosted by Middleway, is forming its next cohort. Applications are accepted through June 30. Classes, which are held once a month on a Saturday, begin in September. Learn more at www.schoolforspiritualdirection.org. We need you at Middleway Middleway is 100 percent volunteer operated. Come be one who welcomes others into this peaceful place. While there, you'll be able to enjoy the hope, peace and comfort as well. Sign up at https://timecounts.org/middlewaymonastery/. After you've selected the areas you want to volunteer in, you'll be able to click the Opportunities tab, then Assignments, then Available Shifts. Current volunteers, please choose your dates for April. Middleway Urban Monastery's Guide for Life
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