Present: Chris Hagen, Deborah Lewallen, Diane Oldfield, Elena Andrews, Joan Thompson, Kathy Mendoza, Linda Dollins, Mary Williams, and Nichola Riggle.
Mary opened the meeting at 9:30 followed by a 10-minute
period of Centering Prayer. As is our
tradition for the first meeting of the new year, Mary slowly read our Vision and Mission Statements from our CONSD “Be Still” blog and then gave us time for
shared reflection.
REPORTS
COSD update: Although they haven’t
formally announced it, Mary believes that for Lent, COSD will again offer a half-hour
of Centering Prayer daily (except Sunday) on Zoom. February14, also Valentine’s Day, is the
first day of Lent.
Facilitator Enrichment: Mary reminded us that at our last meeting we discussed a concern, spurred by Chris’s observation, that some of our prayer group members have had no specific instruction in the prayer and that we may have a need for more shepherding. Parth had earlier suggested that we might have a facilitators’ gathering at St. Bartholomew’s and invite prayer group members for some general Centering Prayer information.
· Since some prayer group (PG) members may have trouble going to St. Bartholomew’s, Linda suggested that facilitators might simply have a one-on-one meeting with an uninitiated member. Joan and Kathy liked the convenience of this idea, and Kathy added that the member could also ask questions more easily.
· · Deborah said a meeting for individual Centering Prayer support would be premature for her prayer group situation. In time, she thought another Intro Workshop for her church and maybe churches in Ramona would be appropriate to expand their prayer group membership.
· · Mary said that in her PG she meets with a new member on the front end and sends them material to look over before the meeting.
· · Facilitators also need a reminder to share CONSD event materials with their members.
· · Kathy cautioned that some new members are shy and may represent many who are interested in Centering or contemplative prayer without any background.
· · Chris said that “new member” includes even regular attendees who have never attended an Intro. Chris volunteered to work with the Facilitator Enrichment committee and share introductory CP materials that he and Sue developed for Palomar College. They briefly introduced students from an instructor and friend’s class to CP.
· · Deborah reminded us that we need to give new people time to become accustomed to the prayer and to “faith sharing.” By our modeling, people start to understand. Kathy added that over time, they begin to feel safe.
· · Chris said he has been uncomfortable with the term “faith sharing” and suggested we might call it “personal experience sharing.”
· · Mary said that she, Parth, Nichola, and Chris would plan for a facilitators’ gathering (probably on Zoom) to address newcomers.
Financial Report: Linda reported that our
current balance is $13,886.09. Our
withdrawals of $3,810.90 include the $3,000 payment to Prince of Peace Abbey
for the October retreat, our deposits of $1,400.00 include the $1,000 from
Prince of Peace retreatants.
CO, Ltd is increasing efforts to encourage diversity and inclusion of underrepresented people and younger people within the worldwide organization. As a part of this effort, CO’s diversity outreach coordinator, Colleen Thomas, is organizing an inaugural retreat for contemplative BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) servant-leaders. This will be held in September 22-26, 2024, at Trinity Retreat Center in West Cornwall, CT. Mary is part of a 4-person committee helping to plan this event. This retreat will be funded with a $10,000 grant from CO’s Divine Economy, and these funds need to be held in a tax-free account. CONSD qualifies because we have tax-exempt status as a not-for-profit organization. Our chapter account with San Diego County Credit Union can be used for this purpose, possibly by setting up a second checking account specifically for the BIPOC funds. Mary asked for a motion on this intention. Joan Thompson made a motion that CONSD hold the $10,000 funds for this initial BIPOC retreat. After a short discussion, Mary asked for a vote and the motion was unanimously approved. Deborah wondered if the retreat is open to any BIPOC contemplatives, and Mary said 2 sets of invitations to the retreat are going out in the coming months. Responses to the first set of invitations will determine how many others will be invited. Chris asked if the location might be changed to one more centrally located, but the location is firm.
Communications (Website and Newsletter): Mary
still needs to purchase a chapter computer.
Introductory Workshop Team: Mary reported that the
team plans to host an online workshop on February 24-25, a Saturday and
Sunday. The workshop will be during
Lent, thus we need to send out a flyer to the membership soon.
Chris asked if an in-person Introductory Workshop is
planned for this year. Mary said summer
is a better time for in-person workshops because of respiratory illnesses. Mary asked Deborah about an Intro for Ramona,
and Deborah said possibly in 2025. She
isn’t able to help with one this year.
Events: The 2024 CONSD
“working” calendar is now posted on our blog HERE. Many events, however, still need to be
confirmed.
The Prince of Peace Retreat this past year was well-attended
and Mary thanked Susan Wheeler, Kathy Mendoza, Diane Oldfield, and Joanie
Mendoza for helping. Next year’s retreat is on the calendar again for
October. Elena’s Advent Event drew 40
participants and included chant, lectio divina, and visio divina. Elena said she is open to doing another for
2024. Chris’s June Zoom retreat will
either be on June 8 or June 22, avoiding Father’s Day. We are also planning for an Enrichment and
Discernment Day, probably in August for our chapter. We need an outside facilitator for that.
Mary also mentioned some possible speakers for an
event, such as Susan Latimer, a semi-retired Episcopalian priest now leading Wisdom
retreats at Christ Church in Coronado.
Diane said Susan will lead a retreat on February 3 at Christ Church in
Coronado (see the CONSD Events page for the flyer about this event). Nichola
suggested Brian McClaren who is now with CAC as a potential future speaker. [Addendum:
after the meeting, Nichola also suggested Greg Boyle, whose interview was
recently featured on CO’s “Opening Minds, Opening Hearts” podcast HERE].
We closed the meeting at 11:15 with the “Prayer of
Abandonment to Love” offered by Diane.
Our next meeting is on April 13.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Dollins
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