BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis - ECPv6.15.11//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://centeringprayerstl.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20250309T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20251102T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20260308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20261101T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20270314T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20271107T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20250101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260502T143000 DTSTAMP:20260421T122302 CREATED:20260317T205451Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T005719Z UID:77329-1777710600-1777732200@centeringprayerstl.org SUMMARY:Intro to Centering Prayer DESCRIPTION:Centering Prayer Intro Workshops \n\n\n\nIntroduction to Centering Prayer Workshop\n\n\n\n\nGathering starts with a continental on Saturday at 8:30am\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAre you looking for a way to explore or deepen your relationship with God?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCentering Prayer opens one to God’s infinite love and power to heal wounds of a lifetime. While opening the door to other related prayer practices around forgiveness and dealing with painful situations and emotions. This workshop is a sampling of the practice and its benefits. Please join us as a beginner or if you would like a refresher. It is a personal prayer and is often practiced in groups. Enjoy the prayer support of others in community. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat Is Centering Prayer? \n\n\n\nCentering Prayer is based on a Christian contemplative practice first described in The Cloud of Unknowing\, written in the latter half of the 14th century.  \n\n\n\n\n“Centering Prayer is not so much an exercise of attention as intention. It may take a while to grasp this distinction. You do not attend to any particular thought or content. Rather\, you intend to go to your inmost being\, where you believe God dwells. You are opening to Him by pure faith\, not by means of concepts or feelings.” \n\n\n\n— Thomas Keating\, Open Mind Open Heart\, p. 39 \n\n\n\n\nThis prayer does not replace your other prayer practices. You will be given encouragement to learn how to become more comfortable with building a deeper relationship with the God of your understanding in the stillness of your “inner room.” \n\n\n\n\n“If you want to pray\, enter your inner room\, close the door\, and pray to your Father in secret\, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.“ \n\n\n\n —Matthew 6:6 \n\n\n\n\nWhat is the inner room? This “inner room” is not a physical place. It is an interior place in our hearts\, the deepest part of who we are. It is a place of quiet\, where we can meet our Lord personally.  \n\n\n\nIntroduction to Centering Prayer is a sampling of the practice and its benefits. The workshop is a prerequisite to the Follow Up Course\, Basic Centering Prayer\, that delves more into the practice and effects of Centering Prayer. Basic Centering Prayer is the next step to a committed practice with community support and trained Presenters and Facilitators. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn our introductory workshop to Centering Prayer\, you will discover a centuries-old prayer method.  Centering Prayer consists of simply sitting in silence with God – beyond thoughts\, words\, and emotions – and opening our mind\, heart and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery. In this workshop\, you will learn the basics of Centering Prayer\, experience it in a guided setting\, and be able to ask questions and share experiences with the presenters and your fellow participants. Please join us!Peggy Austermann and Kathy Dunn are COL Commissioned Presenters and will be serving this Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop. Both have been practicing centering prayer for many years. Charlie Lawrence\, Commissioned Presenter and Team leader is also supporting the Team and Workshop Preparations. Please bring a lunch. If you would like to share a dish\, that would be most welcome. We will provide side dishes\, coffee\, tea\, and water\, and you are also encouraged to bring a beverage of your choice (with a lid).For more information contact: Jim McElroy jmac150@sbcglobal.net314-267-2636 \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n👉 Gathering and light breakfast begins at 8:30 AM. The Introductory Workshop runs from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. \n\n\n\nAn optional four-session follow-up series will be offered on Thursday evenings following the workshop—please save the dates. All are welcome\, whether you attend this workshop or have participated in others. Introductory workshops are held throughout the year at a variety of sites. The presenters are specially trained and commissioned in teaching this short course which covers the essentials of the method and conceptual background of Centering Prayer. The first introductory workshop is generally four to six-hours and is typically held on a Saturday. The program may continue with “follow-up” sessions held on one full-day or for four to six weekly 90-minute gatherings to pray\, view and discuss a video presentation and to support an emerging daily practice of Centering Prayer. To schedule an introductory workshop for your group\, church or organization\, please contact us via email.This event is free\, but there is a suggested donation of $25.00. If you wish\, please support us with a donation of your choice\, which helps cover our rent\, website maintenance\, scholarship fund and other expenses. This is purely a suggestion and not meant to be a barrier to attendance. All are welcome. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nCommunity of Christ Church\n\n\n\nAddress 830 North Kirkwood RdKirkwood\, MO 63122 \n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n CommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Name(Required)\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email(Required)\n \n Phone(Required)Address \n \n \n \n Street Address\n \n \n City\n \n \n State / Province / Region\n \n \n ZIP / Postal Code\n \n \n This field is hidden when viewing the formAttendance TypeI will attend the sessions (pick one please)\n \n \n In-person\n \n \n \n Zoom\n Background(Required)Please briefly share your contemplative prayer backgroundGuestsIf you are bringing guests\, please list their names below. Thank youConnectionHow did you hear about this event?VolunteerVolunteers help make events like this possible\, and we deeply appreciate any support to help lighten the load! Your presence is more than enough\, but if you’d like to help\, please arrive 30 minutes early for welcoming or setup\, and/or stay 30 minutes after for cleanup.\n \n Welcoming\n \n \n Set Up\n \n \n Bring a Light Dish\n \n \n Clean Up\n Donation(Required)This event is offered free of charge. A suggested donation of $25 is appreciated. If you wish\, you may offer a donation of any amount to help cover our rent\, website\, scholarships\, and other expenses.\nAn optional four-session follow-up series will be offered on Thursday evenings following the workshop for those who wish to continue. Please save the dates.\nThis is simply an invitation and not a barrier to attendance. All are welcome.\n \n \n Yes\, I would like to donate via credit card.\n \n \n \n Yes\, I would like to donate via mailed check.\n \n \n \n I will donate at the event.\n \n \n \n No donation at this time.\n Mailing List(Required)Do you want to be added to our mailing list?\n \n \n Yes\n \n \n \n No\n \n \n \n I already receive your informative posts.\n Donation for Intro Workshop 5/2/26\n \n Donation Total\n \n Credit CardCard Details\n \n Cardholder Name\n \n Make it payable to COSTL and mail it to: COSTL c/o Susie Brent \n489 Staines Court \nSt. Louis\, MO 63141IMPORTANT:  All information provided with your gift is strictly confidential and will never be exchanged with another organization or sold to anyone for other use. You may rest assured that we value your support and would not put you or your identity in jeopardy.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ \n \n\n\n\n\nHaving trouble registering or did not receive a confirmation email? Reach out to susiebrentcostl@gmail.com. URL:https://centeringprayerstl.org/event/centering-prayer-intro-workshop-spring-2026/ CATEGORIES:Centering Prayer Intro Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centeringprayerstl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_5485.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260527T171500 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260527T203000 DTSTAMP:20260421T122302 CREATED:20260408T181448Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T180828Z UID:77356-1779902100-1779913800@centeringprayerstl.org SUMMARY:Gratefulness! The Prayers of David DESCRIPTION:The EnLIGHTenment Series \n\n\n\nGratefulness! The Prayers of David Steindl-Rast\n\n\n\nAwake to the Gift: The Transforming Power of Gratitude\n\n\n\nPresented by Jim McElroy\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDrawing on the teachings of Thomas Keating and Brother David Steindl-Rast\, this presentation will explore how the practice of Centering Prayer and an attitude of gratitude opens us to a life of joyful awareness.Through silence and consent to God’s presence and action within\, we begin to notice the gift of each moment more fully. Brother David Steindl-Rast’s simple rhythm—Stop\, Look\, Go—offers a practical way of living this awareness in daily life.Together\, we will reflect on how contemplative prayer and gratitude are deeply connected: \n\n\n\n\nHow silence awakens us to the present moment\n\n\n\nHow consent deepens trust in God’s unfolding presence\n\n\n\nHow gratefulness becomes a response to the life already given\n\n\n\n\nParticipants will be invited into both quiet reflection and simple practices that can be carried into everyday life. \n\n\n\n\n\n“Today I want to pay attention to all the superfluous things that are important to me\, and my joy will praise you. Praise is pure abundance and at the same time the ultimate meaning of our lives.” DSR \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent Topic:Gratitude and a life of happiness is the Fruit of Centering Prayer. \n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Presenter\n\n\n\nJim McElroy\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJim McElroy has been practicing Centering Prayer since 1996 and has been a commissioned presenter since 2002. Jim has been on the leadership team of 12-Step Outreach since its formation in 2005 and is especially interested in teaching contemplative practices to the recovery community. He currently serves on the Trustee Team for Contemplative Outreach\, Ltd and is on the Welcoming Prayer Faculty. He is a former coordinator of Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\nFlow of the Evening: Wednesday\, May 27\n\n\n\nSchedule5:15 PM – Gathering & Light meal6:00 PM – Welcome6:10 PM – Centering Prayer6:35 PM – PresentationFollowed by time for questions8:30 PM – Close \n\n\n\n🥪 Early Gathering & Light MealJoin us 40 minutes before the meeting for a simple meal.You’re welcome to bring something to share\, but it’s not necessary.We hope this evening offers space for stillness and insight.Feel free to bring a friend. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLocation\n\n\n\n\n\nCommunity of Christ Church\n\n\n\nAddress 830 N Kirkwood RdSt. Louis\, MO 63122 \n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn-Person & Online Participation (Zoom)This event will be held in person and also offered on Zoom. \n\n\n\nRegistrants will receive the link prior to the event.For those joining online\, donations of any amount are gratefully received.A recording of the session will be shared with registrants after it has been edited. \n\n\n\n\nIn Person: A suggested donation of $25 is appreciated. If you are able\, your support helps sustain our programs\, scholarships\, and ongoing expenses.This is a suggestion only and not a barrier to attendance. All are welcome. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n For any questions please email: enlightenment@centeringprayerstl.com  \n\n\n\n\nNext Enlightenment Series is August 26th with Father Matthew Flatley\n\n\n\n\nComing Soon\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration\n\n\n\n \n\n URLThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Name(Required)\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email(Required)\n \n Phone(Required)Address \n \n \n Street Address\n \n \n City\n \n \n State / Province / Region\n \n \n ZIP / Postal Code\n \n \n \n This field is hidden when viewing the formAttendance TypeI will attend the sessions (pick one please)\n \n \n In-person\n \n \n \n Zoom\n Background(Required)Please briefly share your contemplative prayer backgroundGuestsIf you are bringing guests\, please list their names below. Thank youConnectionHow did you hear about this event?VolunteerVolunteers help make events like this possible\, and we deeply appreciate any support to help lighten the load! Your presence is more than enough\, but if you’d like to help\, please arrive 30 minutes early for welcoming or setup\, and/or stay 30 minutes after for cleanup.\n \n Welcoming\n \n \n Set Up\n \n \n Bring a Light Dish\n \n \n Clean Up\n Donation(Required)There is a suggested donation of $25\, which helps cover meals\, our space\, tech support\, website\, scholarships\, and other expenses. If you are able\, your support is greatly appreciated.\nThis is a suggestion only and not a barrier to attendance. All are welcome.\n\n \n \n No donation at this time.\n \n \n \n Yes\, I would like to donate via credit card.\n \n \n \n Yes\, I would like to donate via mailed check.\n \n \n \n I will donate at the event.\n Mailing List(Required)Do you want to be added to our mailing list?\n \n \n Yes\n \n \n \n No\n \n \n \n I already receive your informative posts.\n Donation for ES Gratefulness 5/27/26\n \n Donation Total\n \n Credit CardCard Details\n Cardholder Name\n \n \n Make it payable to COSTL and mail it to: COSTL c/o Susie Brent \n489 Staines Court \nSt. Louis\, MO 63141IMPORTANT:  All information provided with your gift is strictly confidential and will never be exchanged with another organization or sold to anyone for other use. You may rest assured that we value your support and would not put you or your identity in jeopardy.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ \n \n\n\n\n\nHaving trouble registering or did not receive a confirmation email? Reach out to susiebrentcostl@gmail.com. URL:https://centeringprayerstl.org/event/gratefulness-the-prayers-of-david-steindl-rast/ CATEGORIES:EnLIGHTenment Series ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centeringprayerstl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/diego-ph-tIL1v1jSoaY-unsplash-scaled-3.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR