Let's Go! Join Us at the Center for Spiritual Nourishment - This Saturday, October 12

The leadership team of the Center for Spiritual Nourishment is excited to launch our offerings centered on invigorating our spirits!  Our first session has come together brilliantly, albeit slowly, as we prepare to present our Center for Spiritual Nourishment into the larger community; we are hoping the 2nd Saturday CSN becomes a spiritual pillar for the nourishment of the Columbia region. 

For the October CSN, we have two new offerings in addition to continuing many of the great sessions introduced over the summer.  Our new sessions include Father Manny leading Conversations on Spiritual Practices and Growth, and my dear friend - recently ordained in the Diocese of Maryland - Connie Bowman, will lead a peaceful yoga session.  We continue to offer two sessions of Spiritual Discernment and Direction with a new leader to the CEC community, Andrea Noel, and Christian Meditation and Contemplation with Kathy Lyon and Leah Chrest leading these restorative sessions.  George Toth will be continuing the wildly successful movie showings and discussions – this month with Heaven is for Real.  I will continue to lead discussions on the relatively new language of Trauma-Informed Care and how trauma impacts our Spirituality.  We will close with a healing worship service exploring a pop/rock music and spirituality theme.  We have an amazing array of opportunities for spiritual nourishment and we hope you will attend and/or spread the word to loved ones outside of CEC.

The intent of the CSN leadership team is to create a safe, nurturing space for spiritual exploration in an a la carte format for people of all faith beliefs.  Participants are encouraged to try different sessions and to come and go as called.  We will have creation stations for journaling and artwork, and plenty of space to sit peacefully if you are feeling contemplative.  Our Youth Group will be providing child care in the Nursery and we will have light brunch food and drink starting at 8:30.

It is our hope that over the coming months more parishioners at CEC will be willing to support this amazing  community service by joining the leadership team, offering their time, treasure, and talents to create a sustainable ecumenical ministry that our community so deserves and desires. 

In closing, I want to thank everyone who has been supporting the launch of the 2nd Saturday CSN and who will be integral to its future.  Kathy Simms, Carol Abbott, and Lee Gaby are noteworthy for their contributions and ongoing participation in our growth.  It is my objective to help develop the CSN into a self-sustaining resource for the community throughout my third and final school year (ending May 2025) as a Seminarian Associate at CEC.  It has been such a blessing to be in community with you all over the past two years, and I look forward to growing with you in the months ahead.

Mike Looney

Center for Spiritual Nourishment

You can learn more about the 2nd Saturday CSN series on our website www.christchurchcolumbia.org/spiritual-nourishment, or read below.

JOIN US THIS WEEKEND:

Saturday, October 12th from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon

Takes place on the entire Christ Episcopal Church campus.

Beverages, light snacks, and childcare are provided.

Session Schedule:

Session Descriptions:

Conversations on Spiritual Practices and Growth

presented by the Rev. Emmanuel Ato Mercer

How well do you know yourself? Which practices help you in trying to discern who you are, your relationship with God and how to best nurture that relationship? Join us as father Manny leads us in a conversation about how we can better know ourselves and deepen our relationship with God. If self-knowing leads to greater participation in life, then join us as we journey to better know ourselves.

Yoga

presented by Connie Bowman

The word yoga means "union" and is a centuries-old sacred practice for integrating and unifying body, mind, soul, and spirit for the entire person. There is often breathwork and meditation, along with physical asanas, or movements. This yoga practice will be customized to meet the needs of the practitioners who show up. If participants prefer, they may practice seated in a chair.  Practice gentle basic Hatha-style yoga with Connie Bowman, a long-time practitioner and yoga teacher, and recently-ordained Episcopal priest. Please bring a yoga mat and a towel or blanket to the New Brick Sanctuary.

Science Supporting Spiritual Reality

presented by George Toth

Too many people compartmentalize science and religion allowing them to conflict, and our children are taught that our existence is nothing more than our physical existence in this three dimensional world walking through time.  This program will explore and provide scientific evidence, not proof, that neither of these positions are true; that our greater reality lies in the spiritual realm, a dimensionality within which this physical, temporal world exists. The NDE (Near-Death Experience) evidence points to our spiritual reality, and many of the newer scientific discoveries point to a physical world more complex and intricate than ever imagined, a world which cannot come into being without a creator.  We will find a Creator intimately involved in this creation and truth in His words, “Come now, let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18).

Contemplative Christianity & Meditation

presented by Kathy Lyon

Discover the desire God has to commune with us and how to inwardly attune ourselves to the Spirit's voice.  Learn about the history of contemplative Christianity, study the power of breathwork, be led through guided visualizations, become proficient in multiple techniques for stilling the mind, and practice drawing focus into your heart center.  In a mixture of teaching, discussion, and practice, strengthen your ability to engage in the equally important side of the conversation with God--if prayer is talking to the Lord, meditation is listening to God’s voice, and being changed by God’s presence.

Trauma and Spirituality

presented by Mike Looney

Most of us have trauma histories (conscious or unconscious) that continue to manifest negatively in our lives when triggered; our communities themselves might be traumatized in one way or another.  During this five-session gathering, participants will gain a working knowledge of the theory of trauma and its effects on mind, body and spirit.  Seminarian Mike is excited to share what he has learned about trauma and the importance of trauma-informed care for ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.

Questions?

If you would like more information or have any questions, please email us at csn@christchurchcolumbia.org