A message from Marie Howard
Coordinator of Volunteers
This September issue of The Voice is featuring pictures of many of our volunteers who attended the International Conference in Denver. These conferences are an opportunity for you to have a voice and to connect with others within our International Contemplative Outreach community. We hope that those who were not able to be with us in person will enjoy our blog which captures beautifully the conference highlights.
In one of our video presentations, Frederic Laloux - author of "Reinventing Organizations" - stated “All of us have gifts and while not all gifts are equal, all are of equal value." Everyone has a voice, not only for group consensus but also in "all" of our areas of service. All your gifts are needed and welcome.
Our International Conferences are now bi- annual, and the 2021 date and location will be announced early next year on The Voice.
On behalf of the planning team and our Contemplative Outreach service team leaders, know that we are always available to provide information and resources to assist you in your respective areas of volunteer service.
You can contact me at 973.838.3384 ext. 5. or mrhfamlife@aol.com
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Just over a week ago we were gathering for our Contemplative Outreach
International Conference in Denver, Colorado.
We came from Poland, Iceland, Ireland, Trinidad, South Korea
and the 4 corners of the US.
Together we prayed, worked, laughed and sang as one.
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"Only the Divine Matters,
And because the Divine matters,
Everything matters."
Fr. Thomas Keating,
The Secret Embrace
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Break-Out Sessions
We had the option to attend 2 of the following break-out sessions:
- 12th Principle of the Contemplative Outreach Vision: Maru Ladron de Guevara led a session titled "Deepening our Solidarity with the Marginalized / Oneness with All of Creation"
- "The Sacramental Use of Technology" led by Pamela Begeman: Contemplative Outreach technology initiatives cover a variety of medium, from the Centering Prayer App, the Mediation Chapel, Social Media, to our YouTube channel and newsletters.
- Carol Quest and Lois Snowden led the breakout session, "Creative Ways to Offer the Gift of Centering Prayer"
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Bylgja Dís Gunnarsðóttir, from Iceland, transported everyone at the conference with this Icelandic version of Ave Maria, Saturday night at the end of the closing banquet..
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New: Contemplative Outreach Volunteer Services Brochure
This new brochure addresses all the ways Contemplative Outreach Volunteer Services can help you:
- Mentor coordinators, Centering Prayer practitioners, contact persons
- Assist in forming new chapters
- Provide information and resources
- International support
Contact Marie Howard at 973.838.3384 ext. 5. or mrhfamlife@aol.com
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New YouTube Videos
New YouTube videos have been added to the Fr. Carl Recording resource page here:
The "Nones":
In Part One, Fr. Arico explains how the common declaration “I’m spiritual but not religious” can be an opportunity for dialogue and growth for both individuals and religious institutions. Faith is a search on all levels of awareness, a challenge to become open to the gift of contemplation.
In Part Two, levels of relationship with God are discussed which involve the dance between reason and mystery. Centering Prayer opens us up to the rest of the story of prayer. We are more than our role in life, and need to make friends with the process of dying. Through such awareness we can make a difference by our presence and actions. More here >
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