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Sending Blessings for the New Year to the Christian Contemplative Community from Mike Smoolca and In Via Lumen, LLC!

Friends, I founded In Via Lumen, LLC nearly a decade ago as a part of my calling to support and grow the Christian Contemplative Community. In Via Lumen has allowed me to work with various organizations to coordinate a diverse set of groups, organize and offer programs and workshops as well as offer Spiritual Direction and Companioning focused on the needs of Christian Contemplative seekers.

I've recently been inspired to reach out to the diverse set of Christian Contemplative communities that I work with to offer a single, consolidated email update on a periodic basis regarding events and resources with the intent of fostering increased awareness, involvement, and enrichment among their members.

I hope you'll find this first update informative and useful as you begin your New Year!
The Christian Contemplative Experience at Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford, CT (CCE) seeks to affirm the oneness of all Christians and to transcend our outward differences by joining together in silent prayer. CCE's purpose is to provide a space where Christians can meet, share and pray together in the contemplative tradition.
Upcoming CCE workshops (online, hybrid and in-person):
As part of CCE, a weekly Christian Contemplative Prayer group is offered each Thursday evening which meets online or in-person as conditions allow. For more information on how to join us, please contact Mike Smoolca at cce@holyfamilyretreat.org or msmoolca@hotmail.com
Partnership programs -  Special arrangements with leading teachers and organizations are being made through In Via Lumen, LLC to offer programs of unique interests to the Christian Contemplative community.
 
This first series of programs features Peter Fritsch, an Episcopal priest, spiritual director, writer, and a vigorous proponent of the inner life and listening to one’s intuition. He writes and teaches in the fields of Jungian/Christian Dialogue, dreamwork, healing prayer, and the life of the soul.
Sunday January 23, 2022 and Sunday January 30, 2022 - 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Dreams: How God Speaks to Us Through the Wisdom of the Dream
Sunday February 20, 2022 and Sunday February 27, 2022 - 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
The Shadow: What it is, and How We Can Assess the Energy of It in Ownership 
Sunday March 20, 2022 and Sunday March 27, 2022, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Christian Healing Prayer: How to Pray with Quiet Confidence for More Effective Healing 
Body Presence and Contemplative AwarenessOur bodies are warehouses of our life experiences, and they connect us directly to the rest of Creation and to God. Getting in touch with how our bodies react to our daily experiences leads to integration and healing while also opening us up to a direct connection to Creation and God "In whom we live and move and have our Being" (Acts 17:28).
Upcoming workshops on Body Presence (BioSpiritual Focusing):
Contemplative Outreach of CT - ​The Connecticut Chapter's mission is to support, grow and share the Contemplative Outreach Prayer Practices as well as to foster and enhance the Christian Contemplative Community in the Connecticut and Southwestern New England area.  
Among the various things our Chapter offers is online training to become a Contemplative Outreach Commissioned Presenter of Centering Prayer. We are considering offering a training class in late spring. If you're interested in finding out more about becoming a Commissioned Presenter of Centering Prayer and expressing your interest please visit: https://www.co-ct.org/co-ctpresentertraining.html
North-Central CT Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society (NCCTITMS)

OUR VISION:
The NCCITMS was formed to study the writings, work, life and influence of Thomas Merton, in the hope of inspiring, affirming and enriching every member to embrace life and the God who created it.

THE PATH WE FOLLOW:
Our focus will be to promote and encourage Christian Contemplative Spirituality, Thomas Merton workshops, covering all the interests of his life, days of recollection and study as well as interfaith dialog.
Our Winter 2022 Quarterly Chapter Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time online over Zoom. We'll share a video followed by a facilitated discussion of one of the recorded Tuesdays with Merton sessions. We will consider and will pick a session based on member preference:​
  • Kathleen Deignan, CND - Overshadowed: Thomas Merton and The Cloud of Unknowing
  • Jim Finley - Turning to Thomas Merton as a Trustworthy Guide  in the Gentle Art of Contemplative Living
  • Jonathan Montaldo - Thomas Merton’s Contemplative Exercises for Entering the School of Our Lives
  • Jim Forest - An Army that Sheds No Blood: Thomas Merton’s Response to War
  • Daniel P. Horan, OFM - Thomas Merton and Black Lives Matter: Spirituality and Racial Justice for Our Time
Please express your interest and register on our Chapter's page!

You may view our past events here: https://www.invialumen.org/north-central-itms-past-meetings.html
Additional Programs
For two years a group of Christian Contemplative Seekers has been making their way through the Gospel of Thomas using a Lectio-style reflection process. Learn more about our winter program starting Tuesday 1/18.2022.
From the beginning of the COVID Pandemic in 2020, a group of Contemplative Seekers has been making their way through the Bridges of Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton series and has been growing together as a contemplative community, deepening their capability for Contemplative Living. Contact msmoolca@invialumen.org for more information.
In the spirit of enriching yourself and strengthening the Christian Contemplative Community, I hope you will take part in the programs mentioned here and perhaps participate in some that you just became aware of.

I invite you to visit the In Via Lumen, LLC web page for more information and other resources. Among a variety of resources, you'll find a month-by-month list of featured programs that is updated periodically.

Please forward this email to anyone who you feel might be interested in any of this programming. Also, if you have a need or an idea for a program that you feel would enrich the Christian Contemplative Community, please send me an email!


Wishing you well on your Christian Contemplative Journey in the year ahead!

Peace, Prayers, and Blessings,
                                  Mike Smoolca
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