Dear Middleway Urban Monastery friends, Music can touch the soul at times when nothing else can. Bono, of the highly successful rock band U2, said in a CBS Sunday Morning interview today that he has taken God with him everywhere and thus, "God has seen me in a bit of a state, I'm sure." Music has been the nurturing bridge through it all. One form of singing - chanting - has been a soulful way to commune with God for centuries. We're excited to offer a special way for you to learn to chant with talented vocalist Amy Brunt Thompson next weekend. Read about all our events, then come enjoy our space. Middleway's Facebook Group
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 - no matter your faith - who want to come in and pray. This is come and go. Check out all our events Learn to Chant! Chanting, or psalmody, is an ancient practice in the Christian spiritual tradition. You may think that it’s a discipline that only belongs in monasteries – well, you’re in luck! Middleway Urban Monastery will host a workshop on chanting the psalms just in time for Advent. Chanting is a spiritual treasure available for everyone, and you don’t have to be musical to join the fun! All are welcome to attend Saturday, Nov, 5, 10:30-Noon, as we learn to incorporate chanting into our personal prayer life. Led by Amy Brunt Thompson. View our weekly schedule
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:
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.
12-Step discussion – Breathing Underwater, Tuesdays 6-8 p.m.
Journaling One’s Story – This monthly event takes place on 4th Saturdays, so it will take a break for the holidays in November and December, then return on Jan. 28.
Book Club – We will take a hiatus for November and December, Then in January our book is "Life of Pi" by Yan Martel, We'll discuss it on Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m. Participants can attend in person on via Zoom.
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.
Blue Christmas - The season is not so merry for lots of people. If you're one of them, this is for you. Dec. 21, 7-8 p.m.
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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