Contemplative Spaces
About Contemplative Spaces
Contemplative Spaces is a program that explores contemplative spirituality in the Christian mystical tradition. There are currently two different times offered for this program, with a separate topic and schedule for each group meeting.
For both groups, we use a format when we meet called the Circle Group Process, which is a very gentle, contemplative way to encounter one another in a group setting. This format allows everyone the chance to be heard and respected without judgment. You are welcome and invited to show up as who you truly are.
Contemplative Thursdays
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6:00-7:00PM, every 2nd & 4th Thursday
Upstairs Community Room (Above Social Hall)
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Based on the podcast, Another Name for Every Thing, and the book, The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr
Looking at these sources, we will explore Rohr’s transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant, unfolding work in the world. “God loves things by becoming them,” he writes, and Jesus’s life was meant to declare that humanity has never been separate from God – except by its own negative choices. When we recover this fundamental truth, faith becomes less about proving Jesus was God, and more about learning to recognize the Creator’s presence all around us and in everyone we meet.
This radical view can refocus every aspect of our lives, relationships, churches, and communities.
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Week 1: Christ-Soaked World – April 25
Reading: Before We Begin & Chapter 1: Christ Is Not Jesus’ Last Name
Week 2: Radical Inclusivity – May 9
Reading: Chapter 2: Accepting that You are Radically Accepted;
& Chapter 3: Revealed in Us – As UsWeek 3: From the Beginning – May 23
Reading: Chapter 4: Original Goodness
Week 4: Love Evolves – May 30
Reading: Chapter 5: Love is the Meaning; & Chapter 6: A Sacred Wholeness
Week 5: Respect, Wonder, & Reverence – June 13
Reading: Chapter 7: Going Somewhere Good; Chapter 8: Doing & Saying; Chapter 9: Things at Their Depth
Week 6: An Embodied Path – June 27
Reading: Chapter 10: The Feminine Incarnation; Chapter 11: This is My Body
Week 7: Nonviolent Atonement – July 11
Reading: Chapter 12: Why Did Jesus Die?; Chapter 13: It Can’t Be Carried Alone
Week 8: Practice Resurrection – July 25
Reading: Chapter 14: The Resurrection Journey
Week 9: Peter, Paul & Mary (Minus Peter) – August 8
Reading: Chapter 15: Two Witnesses to Jesus and Christ
Week 10: From Me to We – August 29
Reading: Chapter 16: Transformation & Contemplation
Week 11: Feast on Your Life – September 12
Reading: Chapter 17: Beyond Mere Theology: Two Practices; Epilogue & Afterword
Reading: Appendixes
Contemplative Fridays
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12:00PM every other Friday
RCHP Sanctuary
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Based on the book “An Interrupted Life and Letters from Westerbork” by Etty Hillesum.
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Week 1: April 26
Reading: Forward, Introduction & Diary Entries 9 March 1941 – 2, August 1941 (pg. 43)
Week 2: May 10
Reading: 26 August, Tuesday Evening (pg. 44) – 19 February 1942 (pg. 84)
Week 3: May 24
Reading: 25 February (pg. 85) – April 24, Friday morning, 9:30 (pg. 123)
Week 4: June 7
Reading: 26 April 1942 (pg. 123) – 19 June, Friday morning, 9:30 (pg. 144)
Week 5: June 21
Reading: Saturday night, 12;30 (pg. 144) – 20 July, Monday morning, 9:30 (pg. 186)
Week 6: June 28
Reading: 21 July, Tuesday evening, seven o’clock (pg 186) – Early next morning. Vorwegnehmen (pg. 231)
Week 7: July 12
Reading: Letters (pgs. 235 – 286)
Week 8: July 26
Reading: Letters (pgs. 287 – 331)
Week 9: August 9
Reading: Letters (pgs. 332 - 365)