Lectio Template 266

 "Be on your guard against all kinds of greed."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

For Prayer Group Facilitators: An Important Recognition

One of our Facilitator Team members, Chris Hagen, was unable to attend our July 17 enrichment program. As he has years of experience as a facilitator, I asked him if he had any wisdom he would like to share for this meeting. See his response below. -- Grace & Heart, Mary W.

"I do not have much in the way of wisdom but would like to support what all of our facilitators know and practice….

The primary purpose of a Centering Prayer group is the practice of Centering Prayer, and the secondary purpose is the ongoing use of formation material that supports the conceptual basis and practice of Centering Prayer. Accordingly, the emphasis is on taking the time prior to the period of prayer to allow the mind to settle down; we also should allow plenty of time to gently emerge from the period of prayer. A minimum of talking by the facilitator is paramount both before and immediately after the period of prayer, as talking will engage the mind and distract it from the silence needed to enter and leave the time of prayer.

As we know, the period of Centering Prayer is a time we set aside to "consent to the presence and action of God within.” As such, it is a sacred time, a Holy time, another time of communion with God. Com, in Latin, means "with." “Union” means to “join two or more things together,” to "grow together." With this in mind, the period of time before, during, and after Centering Prayer is carried out with the same reverence as any other form of worship.

Finally, there are several definitions of facilitator: "to make things run smoothly, to make things easier, and to help bring something about.” As facilitators we do all of these. The first two we do in a manner that creates the space for God to bring something about within us."

                --Chris Hagen

Facilitator's Handbook

The most recent version (2024) of the Facilitator's Handbook, provided by Contemplative Outreach, Inc., for use by Centering Prayer group facilitators. 

Newcomer's Packet

Courtesy of Parth Domke, here are suggested materials to include in a packet for newcomers to our Centering Prayer groups.

1. Welcome Page
2. A Brief History of Contemplative Outreach
3. The Vision of Contemplative Outreach (pdf or trifold brochure)
4. Guidelines for Centering Prayer (pdf or trifold brochure)
5. Guidelines for Faith Sharing (includes group covenant)
6. Important Materials

Facilitator Enrichment, July 17, 2025

Here is the recording of our July 17, 2025 Facilitator Enrichment, with Parth Domke guiding us on the roles and expectations of a prayer group facilitator, including suggestions on meeting with and introducing newcomers to our Zoom groups. Beneath the video is the "Facilitator Refresher" outline that Parth used during her interview. 

Click HERE for what to include in a "Newcomer's Packet."

Click HERE to access the Facilitator's Handbook.

Click HERE for "An Important Recognition" by Chris Hagen.

Lectio Template 265

 "I have seen the Lord."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 264

 "There is need of only one thing."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 263

 "And who is my neighbor?"

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 262

 "I am sending you out like lambs..."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 261

 "For freedom Christ has set us free."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Facilitator Resources (2024 - )

 

GENERAL INFO FROM PAST YEARS

(click or tap on words in red to access the item):

• How to Use This Blog

• Contemplative Outreach's Origin Story

• Facilitator Resources (2021 - 2023)

• Facilitator Resources (2020)

USEFUL LINKS AND WEBSITES

(click or tap on words in red to access the site):

• CONSD         • COSD      • Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. (COL)

• COL YouTube     • Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast

• CAC Archive       • Christian Classics Library      • Lectio Archive

• Meditation Chapel         • Notable Upcoming Events

Lectio Template 260

 "...after the fire, a sound of sheer silence..."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 259

 "...hope does not disappoint us..."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 258

 "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 257

 "I ask...that they may all be one."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 256

  "Do not let your hearts be troubled..."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 255

  "See, I am making all things new."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 254

  "I shall not be in want..."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

SLT Minutes from April 12, 2025

Attendees: Mary Williams, Rick Martin, Chris Hagen, Kathy Mendoza, Parth Domke, Nichola Riggle, Jan Simpson, Linda Dollins, and Deborah Lewallen

9:35: Opening Prayer followed by 5 minutes of silent prayer.

Reports:

COSD Update: Mary

COSD is advertising its 5-day Intensive Retreat, April 28-May 2, on the CO Ltd website.

“Forty Days of Lent,” COSD’s Centering Prayer on Zoom, continues.  Mary has attended a few times and 27-30 attend.  Information about the event was sent to CONSD’s prayer group facilitators. 

Lectio Template 253

 "It is the Lord!"

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 252

 "Peace be with you."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 251

 "Woman, why are you weeping?"

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 250

 "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus..."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 249

  "Leave her [Mary of Bethany] alone..."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 248

 "On behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 247

 "The place on which you are standing is holy ground."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 246

 "The Lord is my light and my salvation..."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 245

  "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 244

 "This is my Son... listen to him!"

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 243

 "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you..."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 242

 "Blessed are you..."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 241

  "...they left everything and followed him."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 240

 "...my eyes have seen your salvation."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

SLT Minutes from January 11, 2025

Attendees: Mary Williams, Susan Wheeler, Elena Bertran, Rick Martin, Chris Hagen, Joan Thompson, Kathy Mendoza, Jan Simpson, and Linda Dollins

9:40 -- Opening Prayer followed by 5 minutes of silent prayer.

Review and Reflection on Vision and Mission Statements

https://bestillconsd.blogspot.com/2020/01/core-values.html

Mary and Kathy alternately read the Statements.  Mary then slowly scrolled over them again, asking  if any wanted to share a word that stood out.  The words Utmost, Non-Judgmental, and Humility as well as other short comments were mentioned. 

Lectio Template 239

 "Cleanse me from my secret faults."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 238

 "You have kept the good wine until now."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...

Lectio Template 237

 "Arise, shine; for your light has come."

We invite you to a few minutes of silence before we begin our prayer time together.

Take a deep breath and breathe in the breath of God, knowing by faith that God breathes into us the breath of life...