Dear Middleway Urban Monastery friends, As the summer comes to an end and we look towards a new school year with a return to numerous routines, let’s offer our prayers for much-needed rain, for our summer adventures, for the future as we look ahead, for unity in our divided country, and whatever else is stirring in your soul! Prayer flags are a symbolic way to offer what is on our hearts. As these flags flutter in the wind, they wave in silent prayer. We'll show you how to make one in August. Read all about it and our other plans below. Middleway's Facebook Group
First Friday Flags Aug. 5, Family day Aug. 6 Summer is ending and calendars are about to get crowded. We've got a couple of events that will help you get a good start for this fall. First, come to Friday Friday Aug. 5 and learn to make a prayer flag as a symbolic way to let your prayers be carried in the wind. We'll be in the parking lot at 217 W. 26th, in downtown Bryan, 5:30-7 p.m. Then, what are ways that you can incorporate intentional time together in your family? That will be the focus of our next special event -- family day at the monastery Saturday, Aug. 6, 10:30 a.m. - Noon. "Our hope is to support your family as you together create small simple rituals that open space for the Holy to be present and create a sense of belonging that cultivates a child’s security," said Aneya Elbert, one of the day's leaders. "This retreat can be for parents, grandparents, or extended family/friends who want to try to be more intentional with the children in their lives. It's not to add another thing to your family’s already busy life. Rather it is to help create a sustainable pause for everyone, including the adults." Elbert and co-leader Helen Flynn will help participants think of ways to spend time together that are meaningful for each different family. The workshop will also offer prayer practices for children to explore and a short guided family-friendly meditation at 11 a.m. Have we got plans for you! Get ready to mark your calendars through the end of 2022. We've got a slate of programs to meet a variety of interests. To begin with, our presence at First Friday in downtown Bryan is pared each month with a special program or workshop. Plus, we have extra communities that are ongoing or are being formed now. Here's a sneak preview so you can save the dates. Monthly theme for First Friday and special events: August - Back to the books September - Pets and Spirituality October - Dia de los muertos, grief and loss November - Learn to Chant for Advent December - Wassail at the Monastery We'll still have our book club, journaling group, Common Threads spirit talk, a repeat of our entrepreneurial spirituality workshop and kids spirituality programs the fall. And we'll have new gatherings for LGBTQ+ and 12-Step folks. Hopefully, we have something of interest for everyone. When we say ALL are welcome, we mean it. Our birthday celebration continues For two more weeks of July, we'll celebrate our second birthday with the gift of light. This activity is completely suitable for children: flameless candles in our art area that can be decorated before taking home. We also have some goody bags in our hospitality area free for the taking, while supplies last. Your presence at Middleway is a gift to us. We're open 10 a.m.-4 Tuesday-Friday throughout July and on Saturday July 23 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Journaling and spirituality group open to all Journaling as a way to tell one's story -- and sharing that walk in community with others -- is the aim for this group gathering. Our next get together will be Saturday, July 23, 10:30 a.m.-noon. It is guided by Amy Brunt Thompson. You do not have to have attended previous sessions to come, and all are welcome. How to use the monastery While we offer a variety of programs you can attend, the monastery is also open for you to just come to use your time as you wish in a relaxing atmosphere where no one will bug you. Read, retreat from the hectic pace of your world, use our 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. 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. 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