Dear Middleway Urban Monastery friends,
Finally. We've been talking about opening a physical space for weeks, and we can verify now that we have signed a lease and hope to be moving in around the first of October.
The location is 309 N. Tabor, Bryan, Texas. It's part of a larger building that was refashioned into several units of which we will be one. The beauty of that is that we were able to have input in the final touches of the basic shell, and all of it will be fresh and new. Keep reading to find out more. We hope to see you there!
Read about what's going on at Middleway below. Then check out our Facebook group page or website.
"An Altar in the World" continues as September's book study
Read chapters 4-6 of "An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith" by Barbara Brown Taylor and come to our discussion via Zoom on Sept. 9. Taylor shares how she learned to find God beyond the church walls by embracing the sacred as a natural part of everyday life. Her chapters in this book are independent so you can come even if you didn't make it to the first meeting this month. Our discussions range from how the author describes her material to how the writings impact our individual lives. And it doesn't matter where you live ... attendees have come from a wide range of geographies and faiths.
Here's how to join:
Meeting ID: 862 8991 8385 Passcode: 164675
or call in 1 346 248 7799
Upcoming books are:
October - "Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus" by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg
November - "Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith" by Kathleen Norris
December - No meetings
January 2022 - "The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are" by Brene Brown
Volunteer at Middleway through a Circle of Stewards
Come be a part of the Middleway community! Now that we have a building, we need volunteers who can be there beginning in October. Offer your talents in administration, reception, hospitality, plants/greenery, library, arts, technology/information, worship, cleaning, and growth/sustainability. Each of these areas are called Circles of Stewards, which are groups of people within the community who share similar interests and want to help make Middleway as special, sacred space for all. Trainings will be offered prior to opening.
And no worries if you don't live near. There are ways to be part of our circles whether you live nearby or far away.
Watch for an email about becoming a volunteer in one or more of those areas. But you don't have to wait. You can sign now up at https://timecounts.org/middlewaymonastery. Simply fill in the form and make your choices. Then when opportunities become available in the Circle(s) of your choice, you will be notified and can decide if you are able to participate at particular times.
These opportunities are more than volunteering -- they are community forming. Being at Middleway will be less of the typical "doing" associated with most volunteer activities and more of the "being," that is, being present to welcome visitors and enjoy the surroundings yourself! With this in mind, our volunteers are in community with the Middleway Urban Monastery's Guide for Life:
Conversion of Life “Conversatio”: Living our life as if it were a conversation with God, in a commitment to personal spiritual disciplines.
Humility: Living our life in perspective, in a commitment to assess and honor one’s own gifts and those of others.
Hospitality: Living our life in service of others, in a commitment to welcome guests in love and a spirit of prayer.
Prayer: Practicing a spiritual discipline that includes daily prayer.
Ecumenism: Honoring all expressions of Christian faith and respecting in Jesus’ name all persons of other religions and faiths.
Other ways to experience Middleway Urban Monastery
Ready to dig a little deeper spiritually?
Join our Facebook group page. Doing so will let you receive notices about events as well comment and see what others in the Middleway community are saying.
Come to our website and explore the offerings, including links to our Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube accounts, if you like those formats and want to follow.
Pass the word. Ask your frieds to subscribe to this newsletter by going to https://www.middlewayurbanmonastery.org/contact Enter the email address at the Subscribe button on the lower right.
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