Dear Middleway Urban Monastery friends, Autocorrect and plain old typos can drastically alter the meaning of a message. Take the headline of this newsletter, for example. The intent was to call attention to Holy Week, the days of the week leading up to Easter as celebrated by many Christian groups. But the word that landed in the title was "homy" week. And, the computer didn't mark this wrong. This time, at least, we agree with autocorrect. Homy, or "homey" means pleasantly comfortable and cozy. That's exactly what we strive for at Middleway -- for you to feel at home with us. Though we are only open three days this Holy Week, we hope you'll drop by Tuesday-Thursday. And next week, we'll return to our regular schedule so you can be homy with us. Find out more about us below and mark your calendars to join us! Middleway's Facebook Group
Common Threads to focus on dialogue for peace
At the Common Threads Group gathering at 2 p.m. April 13, dialogue will focus on this question: "How can I help peace on Earth begin with me?" Common Threads welcomes you to bring a thread project to work on while we talk, but it isn't required. The main idea is to share each other's spiritual journey through story and active listening.
Film Screening of "Mission: Joy" set for April 21
Join us at Middleway on Thursday, April 21, from 6-7:30 p.m. for a special screening of "MISSION: JOY (Finding Happiness in Troubled Times)."
Inspired by New York Times bestseller "The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World," by Bishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, the film showcases the exchange between these two Nobel Peace Prize winners that led to that book. Consisting largely of never-before-seen footage shot over five days at the Dalai Lama's residence in Dharamsala, the film invites viewers to join these luminaries behind the scenes as they recount stories from their lives, each having lived through periods of incredible difficulty and strife.
With genuine affection, mutual respect and a healthy dose of teasing, these unlikely friends impart lessons gleaned from lived experience, ancient traditions, and the latest cutting-edge science regarding how to live with joy in the face of all of life's challenges from the extraordinary to the mundane.
You can also optionally join us early at 5:30 p.m. that night for our regular Centering Prayer practice led by Aneya Elbert and Rich Nelson.
Book club's hybrid gathering set for April 26
"Desire Mystery and Belonging: A Spiritual Memoir" by Sarah Robinson Flick is our April book. The discussion will be Tuesday, April 26 at 10:30 a.m.
Our gatherings are hybrid, meaning we provide Zoom for those unable to be in person while others gather in the library at the monastery, 309 N. Tabor Ave., Bryan. Together we discuss our book of the month.
The link for Zoom attendance:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86289918385?pwd=SjcwUW5NMlZnWUtlNFFYd01waVZzUT09
Journaling and group spiritual direction
Journaling as a way to tell one's story -- and sharing that walk in community with others -- is the aim for this group spiritual direction meeting. Monthly gatherings normally are the fourth Saturday of each month, guided by Amy Thompson. This month's meeting is the last Saturday, April 30, 10:30-11:30 p.m.
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. Some directors charge for their service while others offer to listen as part of their volunteer ministry. Our current spiritual directors are listed at https://www.middlewayurbanmonastery.org/spiritual-direction and others will be added soon. Let us know if we can help you find a listening soul companion.
Lenten offerings continue
Daily, weekly, online and in-person programs are available through Easter, which is April 17.
"Take 5 at 2 for prayer" will be on the Facebook group page at 2 p.m. daily under the guidance of Heidi Campbell.
"Lent: A Musical Journey to the Cross" is the topic for Amy Thompson. This offering also will be on the Facebook group page. Amy will lead attendees with the album "Lent by Liturgical Folk." Her audio divina - meaning one listens to music prayerfully and meditatively - changes on Sunday each week through April 10 plus on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday before Easter, which is April 17.
An interfaith, in-person option is offered on Wednesdays at Middleway anytime from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Based on "The Greatest Invitation: Your Handbook for Hope," by Rev. David Ottsen, the self-guided exercise this week is "Release It."
Learn more about spiritual formation, direction FIND _ School for Spiritual Direction and Formation, 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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