Silent Retreat Lent 2015

Holy Silence Retreat - Lent 2015

Thursday – Saturday February 19-21

Winter grants us the gift of slowing, if we will receive it. 

Blanketed  snow invites us to wrap ourselves in cozy spaces

to read, listen, allowing earth and ourselves to rest. It is time to 

listen for the stirring that lie deep below the surface, 

waiting for the right time. 

This guided retreat invites participants to

experience the sacred space 

of solitude and quiet with God. 

A few group gatherings allow for framing and sharing 

notions for listening and being in the

silence and experiencing God.

Individual Spiritual Direction will be optional.

Freedom to hike the woodlands, read,

journal, nap, sip tea, or browse the library.

The Hermitage in Three Rivers, Michigan 

www.hermitagecommunity.org

is a perfect setting for rest, reflection, and

renewal in the quiet of this silent retreat. 

Individual rooms, shared bathroom/shower, and

simple healthy meals are found in this cozy converted barn

retreat.

Come to the Quiet - Come be with the Sacred

Rev. Miriam Bush - facilitator

Limited to 8 participants.

Thursday evening– Saturday lunch

register at www.c-sat.net by February 8

Cost  $165

Visio Divina Day Retreat 2015

One of 19 windows by Richard Hanley – First Presbyterian Church – Muskegon

used by permission

Visio Divina

A day retreat practicing “holy seeing”

Saturday, January 31, 2015 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church

Wickham and Sherman Blvd. – Muskegon

Rev. Miriam Bush - facilitator

$25.00 includes lunch

A day of visual meditation, an ancient practice of the Church.  Corporate and individual guided practice in “seeing” and “listening” with eyes and heart wide open.  Praying with art invites us to see in new ways, invites our ordinary seeing to become a means of daily prayer, to look at all of life with eyes of holy vision. 

                    register at www.c-sat.net by January 25th

 The Center for Spirituality, Action, and Transformation

Wisdom Ways of the Bromeliad

I think I’ve had this plant, a “bromeliad”, for about 6 or 7 years.  Bernadine gave me a couple young sprouts and told me that it only flowers once in its life, pushes out new sprouts from the roots, and then dies.  You probably remember this wild, overgrown, not-so-lovely plant.  I planted 2 young sprouts together, and they divided into two more sprouts even though I did not have any flowering.

I considered dumping the plant several times, or pulling it apart to see if it would flower.  Last summer I had it outside in hopes something would jump start a bloom.  Nope.

This summer it was parked on the post on the front porch, shady, didn’t get much rain, and pretty much was ignored.  One of the sprouts   withered and died.  And then….

It was days just before leaving home for three weeks away,  Camp Sunshine and then two weeks of vacation, thatwhile watering I noticed a white thingy deep inside one of the plants while giving it a final watering.   CRAP! I thought.  It’s gonna bloom while we are gone.  Nope.  Very slowly it reached upward and began to unfold.  Each day a bit more.  We took a photo when we thought is was fully opened.  Nope, it opened more to reveal those purple parts and then some red parts, and still it changes slightly with each new day.  I touched the bloom and its hard and spikey, pokey, and no fragrance, but amazing still.  Every day it brings me delight.  And a second white sprout is emerging in a deep leaf well next to the first.  Depending on how long the first bloom lasts, we may have 2 at once.

I am trying to listen to the wisdom ways of the bromeliad: be patient in the unfolding of life.   Sometime just “let it be” and don’t try to make something happen when the time is not right or ready yet. Don’t give up on the potential that lies within – the possibilities keep hope alive. Keep watching.  How life unfolds may be surprising; beauty and joy may also have its prickles.  And, this flower and life won’t last forever: enjoy the moment even as its inevitable death gives way to another life within.

Home Wrecking on International Day of Peace

Time to gather in

piles of wood cut in Spring-time –

deadwood carefully taken  

down

before nesting season

and loosely stacked for summer’s drying.

As September’s chilly mornings set in

its all too clear that winter’s coming

and hearth needs tending;

time to collect, split, and restack

that which will provide our comfort,

warmth and security when

snow begins to fly.

With wheel-barrow in hand

I march into the woods,

claiming summer’s undisturbed

pyramids of logs

only to discover another has

taken up residence in my pilings.

Little Graymouse tumbles out

while grabbing leaning timber –

scurrying under and up and

tumbling out again with another grab.

In the sheltered place down under

patted earth reveals

stashes of acorns and seeds;

preparations for the bleaker times

while I continue to slowly dismantle

a refuge prepared for the season to come

in order to prepare for mine.

Reclaiming fuel for my fire

mouse house dwindles

until Graymouse desperately

climbs the sapling Maple whose base

once served as home.

Racing higher and higher and

out on a precarious thread of a branch

20 feet above,

Graymouse watches

as I guiltily place the last kindling bits

into my barrow.

And so it goes with the very next pile:

another Graymouse and another home

destroyed so my winter will be secure.

I stop and stand accused – watching

as they watch me in silence.

Why is my warmth and security

more valuable than a small gray creature?

How is it that I can so easily

dismantle, displace, and disregard

this small creature?

It is only a mouse.

Yet compassion and guilt arise.

Where will they find home?

Will they be secure?

Should I replace the logs and

secure another home?  Can I fix this?

In compassion and guilt and desire

to mend the life of Graymouse,

do I consider the ways

of the many other homeless near at hand?

or those multitudes in desperate lands 

whose homes are destroyed without thought?

Will warmth and security come?

Who will cry out for those

displaced by terror or whim?

Who am I to be…

for Graymouse?  for the homeless?

for those nearby or far away? 

for those longing for security,

comfort, and peace?

Lord, grant me wisdom and courage,

to be moved by compassion,

to be a maker of peace,

to pay attention to all your beloved,

both great and small.

Help me know what to do, and to do it.

Lent 2013

 LIFE’S JOURNEY

a 7 week meditation experience examining the stages of life - birth to death – with a Celtic lens.

J.P.Newell, minister in the Church of Scotland and spiritual guide is the author of the resource book, One Foot in Eden.  Each session will invite reflection, conversation, Gospel study, and meditation as we visit 7 life stages using insight from Newell’s Celtic spirituality.

Facilitator: Rev. Miriam Bush.  The Center’s mission is to provide opportunities for individuals and groups to be attentive to the movement of the Spirit so that we continue to grow in grace being transformed and transformative within our community and world.

All are welcome

Participants are encouraged to purchase Newell’s book for home study and preparation, however it is not required (purchase quickest through Amazon or Barnes & Noble).  Weekly participation for the full series is encouraged for process experience and conversation. 

                           REGISTRATION is REQUIRED

Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.  Feb 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26

    Location:Hope Reformed Church  1878 Evantston   Muskegon, MI 

            (Corner of Quarterline Rd and Evanston Ave. off Laketon Ave.)

Cost: by donation suggestion $60 for the series 

Register at www.c-sat.net click on CONTACT US

or email:  Miriam@c-sat.org

The Center for Spirituality, Action, and Transformation

…changing the world from the inside out

January 2013 Opportunities in Spirituality

A new beginning - again.
The world did not end on December 21- a Mayan prediction or media hype?
Though the world did stop momentarily on December 14 for a grieving community and nation, wondering about the violence in us and among us that results so easily in the death of innocence.
The year dies away and a new year begins.
Out of the ashes comes new life in the legend of the phoenix.
The seed drops to the ground, dies and is buried, only to rise in new life.
Beneath winter's stillness, spring waits to burst.
Hope.

In hope that we might be alert, awake, attentive to the movement of Spirit and Life within us, The Center for Spirituality, Action, and Transformation offers these opportunities.  Attending to the inner spiritual journey is only valuable in the transforming ways we re-enter the shared journey within our communities and relationships with the world and the earth in which we live.
May we seek growth.
May we seek change, being renewed and transformed, day by day in body, mind, and spirit.
May our ongoing transformation participate in the hope for good for all the earth and all that fills it.  May the Spirit of Truth and Life and Love guide  and guard our hearts.

go to www.c-sat.net to register and 

for more information on location and cost

beginning JANUARY 2013

SMALL GROUPS

Benedictine Mornings (with women)

Begin a daily reading from Joan Chittister's book, A Spirituality for the 21st Century - The Rule of Benedict.  Consider how an ancient document may lend wisdom to your own communities; family, faith, work, friends.  Monthly prayer and reflection gatherings are held the last Saturday of each month, January - April.

Winter's Wisdom Listening Circle (limited to 10)

1st and 3rd Monday evenings, 7-8 p.m.  (January - March)

"The dead of winter" has something to teach us about our lives; stopping, waiting, the darkness, cold, dormant times.  In metaphor share reflection and conversation as we give attention to what may stir beneath our own winter spirits.

Immortal Diamond - In search of True Self  January 22

6:30-8:30 p.m.  Richard Rohr webcast replay 

LENT begin in February

Life's Journey - a Celtic look at the stages of life from birth - death.  (Tuesdays Feb 12-March 26)

A 7 week series of meditation and conversation using scripture and the insight from J.Philip Newell of the Iona Community and Ghost Ranch.

RETREATS

Come to the Quiet - Feb 1-2

Give time and attention and space for God in this 24 hour retreat in mid winter woodlands of The Hermitage.  Friday - Saturday, 5p.m.-5p.m. with guidance for receiving silence, some group conversation, and spiritual direction available.

MIDRASH - Practicing Resurrection   Saturday March 2 (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

A day of living with and into John 11 using the story telling version of Jewish Midrash; a means to wonder, ask question, imagine, and retell our own stories within the story.

go to www.c-sat.net and click on "opportunities" for more information

Making Peace - International Peace Day Opportunities

  BLESSED ARE THE MAKERS OF PEACE,

               THEY ARE KNOWN TO BE GOD'S CHILDREN 

The General Assembly of the United Nations has declared September 21 as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. The 2012 theme:

Sustainable Peace…..From Sustainable Development…..For a Sustainable Future

IN GRAND RAPIDS:

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Peace Festival on Wealthy St., SE as part of the Eastown Fair.  Interactive experiences for families centered on the Seven Peace Principles.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

2:00 – 3:00 pm.  Interfaith Peace Service, Dominican Chapel Marywood.  This year, women of many faiths will speak on how their faith traditions instill values of peace in the community and home. 

Refreshments after the service in Dominican Center at Marywood.

         Saturday, September 22, 2012

Hands Across the Cities: Grand Rapids and Mizak, Haiti will be held at 11 Fuller Ave, SE. from 10 am-2pm. Grand Rapids artisans and justice workers will share practical ways to create peace through art and friendship.

 IN HOLLAND, MI

September 16 (Sunday) at 5:00 pm

         Smallenburg Park 16^th St and Fairbank/ Stadium Park

         bring a lawn chair, table service and dish to pass

     -Potluck Picnic and Presentations at Holland’s Peace Pole.

     -Bring a favorite poem/song/reading/or other presentation related to peace.

     -Beverages (water and lemonade) provided.

     -Cancelled if rains

September 27 (Thursday)   Beal Memorial Lecture

        7:00-9:00 PM at First United Methodist Church,

        Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger, professor of religion at Hope College, 

        will be presenting the Beal Memorial

"Peacemaking in a Violent World: A Christian Perspective"

Jesus is called the Prince of Peace and yet many who claim to follow Jesus advocate war.  The early church embraced pacifism yet the church of the Middle Ages authorized crusades. What does it mean for a Christian to be a peacemaker?

Q & A and a fellowship time will follow. 27 local churches and organizations are joining as sponsors for this community event. Please bring your friends.

In MUSKEGON COUNTY:

   

    -  Women (and Men) in Black Vigil for Peace – every Friday 5:30 pm – 6 pm at the Montague Weathervane

   

   -  Pax Christi Peace Vigil every Saturday noon – 1 pm at the corner of Henry and Norton Avenues.

IN NEWAYGO 

Newaygo County People for Peace sponsor:

“Celebrate Peace Concert” Friday, Sept. 21 at the Black Box, Dogwood Center, 7:30 pm.  Remember the sell out peace concert NCPP sponsored in 2010?    Celebrate the International Day of Peace and the opening day of “30 Days of Peace 2012”.  Tickets are $12.50

“30 Days of Peace 2012” will be held Sept. 21 to Oct. 21 this fall.