Dear Middleway Urban Monastery friends, We are urban in every way. Tall buildings, pavement, offices, retail and apartments are our neighbors. Cars, trucks, buses and an occasional train remind us of the daily flow of commerce. Yet being in the "hope, comfort and peace" business, we sought an urban location with a green space. Rare, indeed, but we found it. Sort of. We do, in fact have a small, undeveloped space behind the monastery that our landlord agreed we could improve as a sitting area for visitors. Check out below how together we can do a little soul-building and provide a hopeful, comfortable, peaceful space. Find out more about us below and mark your calendars to join us! Middleway's Facebook Group
A green space in the city We'd like to offer a small space at the back of our monastery as a "green space" in the city. At this time, the space definitely has an "alley vibe." But just as we see potential in people, we also can imagine this small space as an inviting area to "sit a spell" in the outdoors among nature, however that is defined and doable in a city. So we're calling together all who see the potential and would like to be a part of a group that plans and prepares the space for visitors. If you are interested, email info@middlewayurbanmonastery.org. An initial meeting is being organized to talk about the guidelines and begin a plan. So there's still time to roll up your sleeves and gather with us. 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. Common Threads to focus on dialogue for peace The question to ponder between now and the next meeting of Common Threads Group gathering is "How can I rely on my faith as I navigate the challenges and changes in my world?" The next gathering will be 2 p.m. May 11. 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. 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. 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