Monday, August 11, 2025

SLT Minutes from July 12, 2025

Attendees: Mary Williams, Nichola Riggle, Kathy Mendoza, Elena Bertran, and Joan Thompson.

9:35 Opening Prayer, “Be Still and Know that I am God” followed by a short period of silent prayer

Reports

Financial Report: Linda

--CONSD’S current funds are $14,893.71

--Deposits this period: $600

--Withdrawals $1,779.61

--Scholarships since last report: $180.00

Mary added that two scholarships totaling $1200 have been approved. [In the end, just $750 was used. One recipient had to back out of the retreat they signed up for].

Communications (Website and Newsletter): Mary

The next CONSD Newsletter will be ready for August/September.  Mary is also continually adding information to the website about events.  The “donation button” is not yet operational, but donors can always mail donations directly to Mary.  Discussion: Linda suggested PGFs email their members a link to the Newsletter when it comes out.  Mary said she would mention that suggestion at the upcoming Facilitator Enrichment.  Nichola suggested combining COSD announcements with CONSD announcements since COSD is not posting their events online. Mary said that COSD does have a Newsletter, but people need to subscribe to receive it. Events offered by COSD are generally added to the CONSD Events page.

CP Intro Team:  Mary, Jan, Rick and Parth (follow-up on Intro at St. Bartholomew’s)

Mary reported for the team that the last Introductory Workshop was on April 26th in the chapel at St. Bart’s, and 16 helpers and participants attended.  The chapel was an ideal setting with a big screen for Intro presenter slides and space enough for both the conferences (classroom setting) and for the prayer circle. Parth and Mary presented, Joan provided hospitality, Rick provided coffee, and Jan, Rick and Mary led the follow-ups.  The workshop was in-person, and the follow-ups were on Zoom and recorded for those who couldn’t come.  Mary said that having the Workshop in-person with Zoom for the follow-ups were appropriate formats for each aspect of the Intro.  Thank you to St. Bart’s for hosting. 

Since we have been getting requests for in-person events, Mary wanted us to be aware of a contemplative nondenominational event that is open to all of us. Susan Lattimer is offering (usually the 4th Thursday of the month) a beautiful contemplative Taize service at All Saints Episcopal Church in Vista on Thursday from 6:30-7:20 pm.  The service is ecumenical, candlelit and includes some newer sacred chants. 

Events/Workshops, future and potential:

Facilitator Enrichment on July 17, 10:00 am: Mary, Nichola, Chris, and Parth

Mary announced that SLT members are invited to attend this enrichment day as well as facilitators.  The morning will refresh facilitators about their roles and expectations.  Parth is the primary facilitator for the meeting, and she will focus on how to introduce newcomers to an existing Centering Prayer group.  We will also see a 15-minute CO video on facilitator training with Nestor de Armas.

Postponed Chapter Enrichment and Visioning Day:  Mary, Kathy, Parth, and Nichola

Mary announced that the Chapter Enrichment and Visioning Day scheduled for August 9th has been postponed until 2026 because Mary cannot be available to help plan it. Postponing also allows the possibility of including COSD. Before the decision to postpone, Mary had a meeting with the team and Ardy Woodmannsee of COSD to discuss a possible two-chapter gathering to discern what our contemplative community wants and needs in the days to come. (The COSD Coordinator, Brian Curry, was unable to attend but expressed interest in a two-chapter event).  An Enrichment and Visioning day for both CONSD and COSD could be a kind of “contemplative family reunion” for these two chapters.   

“Space for Grace,” a morning of prayer, on August 9th at St. Thomas More:  Mary

Since St. Thomas More had been reserved for Chapter Enrichment and Visioning Day, Mary would like for us to use the opportunity for a quiet and simple in-person gathering especially since there have been a number of requests for in-person contemplative meetings.  Mary has recently been trained as a food handler by St. Thomas More, so she is updated on their kitchen resources & how to make coffee.  She thought a simple menu of grapes, muffins and cheese could be served.  The 9-11:30 schedule could be: Centering Prayer, break, Lectio Divina, break, visit outside prayer grounds, another period of Centering Prayer, chanting, and sharing.  It would be like an extended Centering Prayer meeting.  We discussed the suggestion, and ideas for food, whether to invite COSD, and logistics were mentioned.  Joan Thompson is going to check her calendar to see if she could help with food.  She also has a food handler’s certificate. Kathy Mendoza volunteered to do Lectio Divina or anything else that is needed.

Chris Hagen’s “The Third Way: A Response to Personal, Social, Cultural, and Societal Discord,” September 13 on Zoom.

Since Chris was not present, Mary recapped the plan for the day.  He would speak for 45 minutes and then we would break into small Zoom groups to discuss various topics.  After the small group work, we would reconvene and report out.

CONSD Prince of Peace Retreat: October 16-19

Mary reminded us of this retreat and noted that we would have flyers available for it at the “Space for Grace” morning of prayer on August 9th. 

Elena Bertran Retreat: Jonah and Julian of Norwich, November 8 on Zoom

For her November retreat, Elena plans to share her 30-year experience of Centering Prayer—a practice which, at times, has made her cranky, just like Jonah.  She wants to encourage us to not give up but to continue the journey—to “let go of our desire to change ourselves” and to consent to divine transformation.  She will also be sharing the Julian of Norwich meditation where we look at God, look at someone, and look at God looking at someone. 

Introductory Workshop—Inquiry from Kristi Kincheloe at Solana Beach Presbyterian

Mary told us that yesterday (July 11) Kristi Kincheloe emailed that she would like us to present a workshop for them.  Mary is going to call her to clarify her understanding of the nature of our workshops.  Nichola commented that 20 years ago Solana Beach Presbyterian was a very large and “hip” church with a younger congregation.

Future Possibilities

Mary said we may want to offer more Silent Saturdays/Space for Grace events.  Barbara Hamilton has expressed an interest in hosting one, and the different prayer groups could also take turns hosting. Nichola suggested that Ilia Delio would be good to have as a presenter – apparently her 2026 schedule has openings.

Other Concerns

Nichola won’t be able to attend the Facilitator Enrichment program July 17 and is hoping it is recorded. She is also concerned about newcomers to her prayer group which is composed of seasoned practitioners who appreciate sophisticated formation material which may not be appropriate for newcomers.  Mary said that the Facilitator Enrichment program will be recorded and posted on the blog.

Closing

Mary offered a closing prayer by Peter Traben Haas and ended the meeting at 10:50am.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Dollins

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