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Merton: How a Human Person Emerges in God’s Image

Mystic Journey Series

Merton: How a Human Person Emerges in God’s Image.

Presented by Frank Krebs

June 20 @ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Gathering at 8:30 AM

Contemplative Outreach “Mystic Journey Series” invite you to a time of exploration.

On Saturday, June 20th, Frank Krebs will lay out and explain Thomas Merton’s main themes regarding meditation/contemplation, according to Merton’s student, James Finley. Frank will analyze these themes from the perspective of

Thomas Merton as a lens through which we can study other Mystics.  That seems to be the style of James Finley, student of Thomas Merton, in his podcast “Turning to the Mystics”.  Merton was the doorway and the lens through which Finley learned other mystics and the frame through which Finley presents them.  So, Merton, through Finley, gives us a kind of summary vision of other mystics and especially the Christian mystical tradition.  My first intention is to lay out Merton’s summary themes, which he gleaned from his own experience and from studying/exploring these mystics, so that you will have a good overview of what mysticism (i.e., meditation, contemplation) is.
How Merton took what had often become a rigid, monastic practice and opened up the “fully engaged person” aspect of it.  Merton understands the false self to dissolve in conversation, in active relationship, with God; here the true self emerges.  This monastic practice was intended to lead us into that conversation, that relationship.  In this process we can become more personal, less impersonal.  So my second intention for this workshop is to explore this process of transformation with you.

What is a Mystic?  Who is a Mystic? – Exploring the lives and stories of the mystics.

You are invited to join us to consider the life and stories of persons who have revealed and written of their experience encountering the extraordinary presence and love of the Divine Reality.
Each scheduled Saturday, we will welcome presenters who have been invited to choose a person of their choice who may be considered as a “mystic.” The presenter will offer the story of that mystic’s life and spiritual journey which fostered an extraordinary relationship with God.
Our life is often touched as we journey into the story of the mystic.  We become more aware that we, too, are being mystically formed by the Divine Presence within. The mystics and their life story often become our teachers.

Flow for the Day:

  • 8:30 AM    Gathering, refreshments
  • 9:00 AM   Welcome, Announcements, Introduction
  • 9:15AM     Presentation: The Themes of Thomas Merton Regarding Contemplative Prayer
  • 10:00 AM   Break
  • 10:15 AM    Quick Discussion in Dyads
  • 10:30 AM   Question and Answer
  • 1100 AM     Presentation: The Process of Transformation, the Human Person in God’s Image
  • 12:00 PM    Quick Discussion in Dyads
  • 12:15 PM     Lunch
  • 1:00 PM      Question and Answer
  • 1:30 PM      “Lectio”
  • 2:00 PM      “Rendezvous with God,” a letter
  • 2:15 PM       “Conversing with God”             
  • 2:30 PM      “Resting in God”
  • 2:55 PM      Closing Comments
  • 3:00 PM      Thank you
  • Go In Peace
Please bring a pen and notebook.
There is a $25 registration fee for this event to support our ministry.

Donation:   A Free Will Offering Basket for the Center for Action and Contemplation, where James Finley is, will be available on the day of the event.

Thomas merton

Light refreshments upon arrival; light potluck lunch at 12:00 pm. Please bring your lunch and/or a dish to share.

Community of Christ Church

Address

830 N Kirkwood Rd
St. Louis, MO
63122

About the Presenter

Frank kreb

Francis (“Frank”) Krebs, M.Div. is a retired local pastor at Sts. Clare & Francis ECC church in Webster Groves, a retired Presiding Bishop of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion, continues to participate on the ECC Council of Bishops, and is a current member of the Governing Board of the National Council of Churches.  He is a student and a teacher of contemplative prayer.  Frank devotes much of his retirement to efforts at improving human relationships in various ways.  He is firmly convinced that contemplation is the foundation of authentic spiritual life and better human relations.  

“One way to think about contemplation is as an experience of the Great Mystery drawing us into a dance, an enjoyable, even thrilling, experience of togetherness, which then can and does rub off on the activity of our ordinary lives as a kind of lingering effect of our time in meditation.” 

Flyer for this event : https://centeringprayerstl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MJS-Merton-Frank-Krebs.png

— Frank Krebs

A little history on the formation of the Mystic Journey Series

THE MYSTIC JOURNEY
There are many definitions of the word “mystic” as noted in religious traditions throughout the world.  Most traditions agree that the Mystic is a person who seeks through contemplation, self-surrender and personal transformation the experience of unity with the sacred 
Absolute Divine reality.

Karl Rahner, in his famous quote regarding the spiritual journey of the future, said “you will be a mystic or nothing at all …”

Everyone is invited to join us to consider the life and stories of persons who have revealed and written of their experience encountering the extraordinary presence and love of Divine reality.
Some may call them “saints” or apply other characterizations, but they were no different than you or I who are seeking the same loving God.

Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis anticipate hosting three (3) Saturday presentations this year on March 21st, June 20th and September 19th featuring presenters who will offer insights on the life of three renowned mystics relating the contemplative dimension of the life and legacy of the seeker who found God.  The teachings of these mystics strive to deepen our understanding of our own search for the Divine in light of the human condition.

Next Mystic Journey Series: Meister Eckhart with Father Bob Aten on Saturday, September 19th, 2026


Reminders will follow in the upcoming COSTL newsletters.  We encourage you to register early to attend these presentations .. you won’t want to miss it!

A person walks in a sunlit modern hallway.

For more information: Susie Brent – susiebrentcostl@gmail.com

Registration:

Having trouble registering or did not receive a confirmation email? Reach out to susiebrentcostl@gmail.com.

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