Dear Middleway Urban Monastery friends, "A room without a book is like a body without a soul." If you can relate to that statement by the ancient philosopher Cicero, we're more than soulful at Middleway, and we want to share that with you with your newly dedicated library of books on spirituality. For the past year, a circle of volunteers have poured over more than 1,600 books - many of which were previously a revered library at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church - and the result is the most comprehensive lending library of its sort in the area. Come check it out - literally. Read about all our events, then come enjoy our space.
Election Day Vigil, Nov. 8 No matter how you plan to mark your ballot, you may be feeling a need to be especially prayerful this election time. We will offer our space while the polls, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 8, for all who want to come in and pray. This is come and go. Check out all our events
It'll be sooooooooo cool. Taco Tuesday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Temperatures in the 60s, delicious food, an inviting space to sit, community, music. Order in the parking lot at W. 24th and Washington Ave., then take some time to come inside to eat.
Middleway Book Club goes fiction
Our fall venture into fiction has been a real page turner -- "Where the Crawdads Sing" by
Delia Owens. Whether you've read the book or seen the movie (or both) join in the discussion this month.
This book group is hybrid, so participants can either attend in person at the monastery or by Zoom, Oct. 25 at 10:30 a.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86289918385?pwd=SjcwUW5NMlZnWUtlNFFYd01waVZzUT09
Meeting ID: 862 8991 8385
Passcode: 164675
Bryan-College Station Area Spiritual Directors Gathering
Graduates and current students of schools for spiritual direction are encouraged to attend the monthly gatherings. These are brown bag events at Noon, usually the 4th Wednesday of each month. The purpose is: fellowship/community with like-minded and like-hearted individuals who are serving as (or becoming) spiritual directors; a forum for ongoing education in spiritual direction and practices related to spiritual formation.
On Oct. 26 at Noon, Jim Reiter will facilitate a discussion on “All Saints Day” (including some reflections on “Ars Moriendi”, a focus by ancients of our faith on “The Art of Dying”).
12-Step Community discussing "Breathing Under Water"
People in any 12-Step program and their friends and families are especially welcome to our study of Richard Rohr's "Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps." We gather each Tuesday evening. The monastery is open from 5-8 p.m. and the book discussion component, led by Amy and Michael Thompson, is part of the evening.
Something for everyone
Between now and January there surely is at least one special program of interest for you. When we say ALL are welcome, we mean it. In addition to the those described above, look ahead to these:
12-Step discussion – Breathing Underwater, Tuesdays 6-8 p.m.
Journaling One’s Story – Learn to write about your life to bring deeper spiritual meaning. Monthly on fourth Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-Noon.
Book Club – “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens, discussion Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m.
Sacred chanting – Learn this ancient method of singing, Nov. 5, 10:30 a.m.-Noon.
Election Day Vigil – come for your own individual prayer while the polls are open, Nov. 8, 7 a.m.-7 .m.
Common Threads - A monthly gathering for people who enjoy a variety of thread arts. Bring your own project (or one from the past) to work on while sharing about where God has shown up in our lives, Nov. 9, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Friends of St. Joan - A monthly gathering for youth and young adults who identify as LGBTQIA+. Join us in a safe place to explore spirituality, third Mondays, 6-8 p.m. Next up: Nov. 21.
Wassail at the Monastery – Get a taste of our hospitality with a cup of this traditional holiday beverage. No agenda. We’ll open the doors for you to take a breather before the holiday rush, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m.-Noon.
Post-Holiday – Celtic Women’s Christmas, Jan. 6, 1-3 p.m.; The Spirituality of Gaming, Jan. 14, 10:30 a.m.-Noon.
How to experience the monastery While we offer a variety of programs you can attend, the monastery is also open for you to just come for a dose of the relaxing atmosphere where no one will bug you. Read, retreat from the hectic pace of your world, use the free art supplies, or partake of any of our prayer techniques that are gently explained in materials throughout the monastery. Children are welcome to come with an adult and may find the art area or special children's spirituality area a way to peace away from electronic distractions. 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. You and your spiritual director normally meet monthly for an hour. Our current spiritual directors are listed at https://www.middlewayurbanmonastery.org/spiritual-direction. Email us at info@middlewayurbanmonastery.org if we can help you. We need you at Middleway We've added several programs at night, which means the monastery will be open for some new times. If you've been unable to volunteer during the days, here's your chance. 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. Middleway Urban Monastery's Guide for Life
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