Attendees: Mary Williams, Nichola Riggle, Kathy Mendoza, Susan Wheeler, Chris Hagen, Jan Simpson, and Linda Dollins (CONSD). Brian Curry, Ardy Woodmansee (COSD)
9:35 Opening Prayer: Mary read from Centering
Prayers, the prayer for November 15, followed by a short period of silent
prayer.
Mary began by sharing her personal situation. She is dealing with serious family issues
involving elders, her husband’s broken leg, and other family health concerns. She is planning on using the month of
December for recovery.
Welcome to COSD representatives Ardy Woodmansee and Brian
Curry.
First, Mary asked us to introduce ourselves since we
represented two different chapters.
Mary invited Ardy and Brian to our meeting to discuss the
possibility of CONSD and COSD merging because both chapters have challenges
finding/retaining volunteers.
Ardy had spoken to Pamela Begeman of CO Ltd about
leadership concerns. Pamela said that
regional chapters are all aging and having similar problems. Pamela’s recommendation was to “simplify,
simplify, simplify.”
Ardy described COSD.
They have 25 prayer groups and 5 are in-person, many are older and have
few members. Ardy wants to move away
from leadership in COSD in part because of her age and because of her sister’s
needs. Brian has led Centering Prayer
retreats and is involved in the 11th step. For a short time, he was the COSD
Coordinator. He also has a business and
many personal commitments and cannot continue to lead. Ardy said that COSD needs a coordinator or coordinating team to
bring the energy back.
A discussion followed and included the nature of our current
prayer groups, the importance of Fr. Keating’s teachings, the expansion of the
number Centering Prayer Zoom groups in the US and worldwide, the loss of
involvement in our two chapters due in large part to age, the difficulty of
maintaining a meaningful connection with our members, and how meeting on Zoom
has changed us.
Mary, at Ardy’s direction, then used the share screen to
highlight CO’s, “A View of the Goodness of God” Gratitude Report on the CO
website which explained the expansive work of CO Ltd: https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/gratitude/
Mary said that to address the state of COSD and CONSD, both
chapters will be invited to discuss the future at CONSD’s 2026 Visioning Day
sometime early in 2026. Preparation for
that day will be the work of the committee: Mary, Ardy, Brian, Kathy, Nichola, Parth, and Jan. Mary will send out a possible
agenda for the day to team members and find a time early in 2026 for the team to meet. Question: Zoom or
in-person? Both? A name for the merged
group (maybe Contemplative Outreach of Greater San Diego). Nichola suggested we should pray for
guidance.
Other: Brian hopes to
have a female co-coordinator for the Centering Prayer Intensive Retreat he will
be leading in the spring of 2026. Mary noted
that these were annual Intensives. The
cost for the retreat in 2025 was reduced because of a $5000 grant from CO’s
Divine Economy.
REPORTS
Financial Report Linda: July12-Nov 15, 2025
·
CONSD’S current funds are $12, 314
·
Deposits this period: $3,350
·
Withdrawals $6,347
·
Scholarships since last report: $2,720
Communications: Mary is working on rethinking our
communications, with hopes of making them more informative and less labor intensive.
Intro Team: Mary has received an inquiry from Kristi
Kincheloe at Solana Beach Presbyterian about having a workshop on Feb. 28,
2026. Mary said it may include the whole
church. She will meet with organizers at the
church to clarify.
Pastor Karla Halvorsen at St. Mark’s in Chula Vista has
inquired about a bilingual workshop for March 21, 2026 with presenters from
COSD (Brian) and CONSD (Mary). Karla
would find a translator, and she is requesting that every element of the
workshop to be fully bilingual. Other
churches would be invited.
EVENTS SINCE OUR LAST MEETING
Facilitator Enrichment on July 17: This workshop was facilitated by Parth Domke and recorded. Mary sent the link to the recording to PG facilitators. The link is also on the CONSD blog HERE.
Space for Grace” morning
of prayer on August 9: This 2 ½ hour
event was in response to requests for more in-person gatherings. Held at St. Thomas More, Mary organized the
morning with help from Joan Thompson (refreshments) and Kathy Mendoza (leading CP), and lectio readers Teresa and Alan (members of the STM Prayer group). Mary’s
hope is that other PG facilitators will also offer “Space for Grace” mornings
at their church or other suitable gathering areas.
Chris Hagen’s “The Third Way: A
Response to Personal, Social, Cultural, and Societal Discord”: This event was offered on September 13 on
Zoom. Chris had a PowerPoint presentation on the discord in the time of Jesus
and His response to it: “be merciful as your Father is merciful.” Participants then broke into small groups and
discussed prepared topics. The format
worked well, and Chris has agreed, with our encouragement, to present again
next year in late summer/early fall. The
program has been recorded and a link to the recording is on the website under "Videos By CONSD" HERE.
CONSD Prince of Peace Retreat: Held on October 16-19, this retreat was
for four days instead of the usual three.
Eleven attended, less than half of the usual participants. Mary said that many “regulars” could not attend
this year. Those who went were deeply
moved by the contemplative opportunities and practices to include:
An early morning “Gentle Movement” time before
Lauds led by Mary
Two back-to-back sits morning
and afternoon
A video of Fr. Keating and
Tami Simon in the prayer room the second evening
A Contemplative Love Feast on the third evening
Liturgy of the Hours (Prince of Peace Service
The “I Am” practice
Lectio Divina.
Elena Bertran Retreat: “Coming Home to the Present” on
Zoom, November 8, was an inspiring morning retreat led by Elena and included a
period of Centering Prayer. Elena was assisted
by Mary who led the “I Am” practice and Avril Bland who directed us in a number
of chants. We also had time for sharing
and reflection. 30 people attended the
morning, and it is recorded and posted on the CONSD website under "Videos by CONSD" HERE.
FUTURE POSSIBLITIES
A two-chapter Visioning Day (as discussed above), possible merging of CONSD and COSD, more “Space for Grace” Silent Saturdays or Mornings of
Prayer.
Calendar Items: Next
SLT meeting, January 17, 2025 (subject to change). Calendar (to be updated) available HERE.
Closing Prayer: Susan Wheeler closed with a prayer of
gratitude.
The meeting ended at 12:10.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Dollins
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