Contemplative Ministries
Contemplative Ministries offer a variety of ways to seek God’s presence through
prayer, study, fellowship and reflective silence. Select any of the following for further information.
Participants in the Thursday evening Contemplative Gatherings, Women's and Men’s Spiritual Journey Groups, Soul Life class, Fall and Spring Mini-retreats, and the Santa Sabina Winter Retreat had the opportunity to write a paragraph about the impact of quiet reflection and listening prayer in their lives. The following statement is a synthesis of these individual responses.
We believe that contemplative practices:
are essential for our lives
help us slow down and listen for God
develop a closer relationship with God
bring us help in times of trouble
deepen our prayer lives
open us to a sense of community
call us to action and service following Jesus
create artistic responses to God’s glory, and
provide us an experience of wonder and the sacred in our daily lives.
Contact Sue Gibbons for comments, questions or more information.
Third Sunday Women’s Spiritual Journey Group
The Third Sunday Women’s Spiritual Journey Group offers women a place to come together seeking God’s presence through selected readings, God’s Word, reflective silence, and sharing our spiritual journeys. Frequently, the group goes out to dinner after the session. Guests are always welcome!
Meet in the Chapel from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on the third Sunday.
For more information contact Ruth Stenson at (925) 283-9990 ext 240.
Second Monday Women’s Spiritual Journey Group
This spiritual journey group offers women friendship, a community of prayer support, worship and quiet study once a month. Our theme this year is based on the booklet "Embracing Forgiveness". Forgiveness is a central tenet of the Christian faith. Lewis Smedes writes, “Though the act of forgiving, by itself, is a wonderfully simple act, it happens inside a complex of emotions.” Meet in the Chapel Narthex at 10:00 am. for coffee, tea and conversation. At 10:45a.m. we move into the Chapel. Guests always welcome!
For more information contact Ruth Stenson at (925) 283-9990 ext 240.
Third Wednesday Contemplative Gathering
Chapel, 7 to 8 p.m. September 21st through May 17th on the 3rd Thursday of the month.
Refresh yourself and your spirit and listen for God’s word for you. A reflection is offered, followed by a time of quiet, then a brief sharing (if desired), and lastly, intercessory prayer.
For more information contact Ruth Stenson at (925) 283-9990 ext 240.
Men’s Spiritual Journey Group
Generally 3rd Monday, 7:30 to 9 p.m. in members’ homes.
Men meet to discuss current life experiences, focusing on the spiritual quest. Selected books form the basis for most discussions.
For more information contact Ruth Stenson at (925) 283-9990 ext 240.
Contemplative Retreat
President’s Day Weekend 2008 to be scheduled
Retreat Leaders will be named later.
A contemplative retreat is a time to immerse oneself in simple living. We turn away from busy activity to renew contact with the Source of life. At Santa Sabina one can become aware of God in rest, in reading, in the art room, on a walk, in T’ai Chi Chih movements, in sitting quietly, in writing, in having a massage, and in prayerful reflecting and listening. The choice of how to spend one’s time is always open.
Is the retreat completely silent?
No, there is talk at specified times. We listen to one another or the speaker in a respectful, reflective manner. There is a time for singing and listening in the Chapel. Throughout the weekend, the common areas are quiet spaces. Meals are accompanied by music or someone reading aloud.
For more information contact Ruth Stenson at (925) 283-9990 ext 240.
Summer 2007 Garden Mini-Retreat
“The earth belongs to the Lord, and everything on it is His.”
Psalm 24
Saturday, June 2,10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Amstutz’s garden in Orinda
This gift of quiet attention to the presence of God’s Spirit in the natural world, and in all of us has been conducted, where participants experienced a quiet walk along pathways in the Amstutz garden, heard the sounds of insects, birds and waterfalls, and enjoyed the smell of flowers and earth. There was an informal structure which includes an opening meditation, time for personal reflection, readings, music and movement.
For more information contact Ruth Stenson at (925) 283-9990 ext 240.
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