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: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 BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20280312T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20281105T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20270102T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20270102T160000 DTSTAMP:20261003T005742 CREATED:20261002T223402Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261002T223404Z UID:77864-1798898400-1798905600@centeringprayerstl.org SUMMARY:Poetry\, Centering Prayer\, and Journaling 2027 DESCRIPTION:Soul Trekkers \n\n\n\nPoetry\, Centering Prayer\, and Journaling\n\n\n\nPresented by Dwight Bitikofer\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGathering at 1:30pmSnacks\, coffee and tea will be available.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nContemplative Outreach “Soul Trekkers” invite you to a time of creative expression and Centering Prayer\n\n\n\nAs we embark on this New Year\, we invite you to join us for an enriching event where Dwight will share his inspiring poetry\, encouraging all participants to tap into their own creative expression. This gathering will also include a session of Centering Prayer\, a practice that deepens our connection to spirituality and fosters personal exploration. Additionally\, we will engage in the meditative practices of journaling and poetry\, offering an opportunity for reflections. We warmly welcome individuals at all levels of experience\, from beginners to seasoned practitioners\, to come together in this supportive community as we collectively explore our journeys.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDwight will open with a few remarks about poetry and centering prayer. We will explore a couple of poems that may enhance our sit. \n\n\n\nThen the four guidelines of Centering Prayer will be reviewed and lead into a  20 minute sit. \n\n\n\nFollowing the meditation\, we will free-write for a bit. Please bring a notebook and pen.  Next\, we will use an idea or two from our individual writing to create poems. There will be an optional sharing time for our creations.\n\n\n\nWe follow that with a poetry writing exercise\, stimulated by something from within the free write or perhaps some direction emanating from one’s sacred word. \n\n\n\nThen there will be an opportunity for participants to share what they have created.  And conclude with any questions or comments about your experience.  \n\n\n\n\nPlease bring a pen and notebook.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGathering at 1:30pm to 2:00pm – Bring a snack or refreshment to be enjoyed before or during the break of this event if able. Snacks\, coffee and tea will be available.\n\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\nAbout the Presenter\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDwight Bitikofer has been active in St. Louis poetry circles for two decades. For a number of years he frequented open mic circles and curated several monthly poetry events. He has taken  poetry classes at the University of Iowa Summer Writing Festival. Dwight has published two chapbooks of his own poetry. He enjoys giving readings. With a jazz musician friend\, they have performed “pojazz” together. He is also a board member and past president of St. Louis Poetry Center.  \n\n\n\nDwight is a long-time member of Al-Anon. His centering prayer practice began just over five years ago. He is still practicing. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA little history on the formation of the Soul Trekkers\n\n\n\n\n\nIn 2022 following a 7 day silent retreat in Snowmass\, CO at St. Benedict’s Monastery\, Jennifer Beeman\, Heather Fricke and Susie Brent gathered with Jenny Adamson and Pat Johnson to discuss potential avenues for sharing the methods of centering prayer with the next generation. It was suggested to combine centering prayer with an activity such as yoga or art.  It was agreed upon that contemplative prayer may enhance and be enhanced by any activity that lends itself to a stillness in mind and heart\, a joy within\, and being truly present in each moment. The divine dwelling within can be communed with while hiking beneath the trees\, free flowing with a favorite melody\, exploring and creating in a favorite artistic medium\, within the deep breath taken while settling into a yoga pose\, energy breath work\, or while listening to the draw of classical piano music. These are just some avenues to become more comfortable with simply being.It is the Soul Trekkers intent to investigate the many branches of the Tree of Contemplative Practices combined with guided Centering Prayer meditation sessions to inspire exploration\, joy\, and connection in a fellowship of contemplative travelers.  While centering prayer guidelines will be offered\, any and all meditation disciplines are welcome. The goal is to embrace stillness and foster a relationship with the God within each of us and our true authentic selves. Come share in the beautiful intimacy that stillness in community has to offer.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor more information: Dwight Bitikofer – 314-229-9537 or cpsoultrekkers@gmail.com \n\n\n\n For any questions please email: susiebrentcostl@gmail.com \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration:\n\n\n\n\n \n\n URLThis 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(Required) \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 Background(Required)Please briefly share your contemplative prayer backgroundIf you are bringing guests\, please list their names below. Thank youHow did you hear about this event?(Required)Do you want to be added to our mailing list?(Required)\n \n \n Yes\n \n \n \n No\n \n \n \n I already receive your informative posts.\n If you wish\, please support us \nThis event is free. However 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. \nDonations to Contemplative Outreach St. Louis are not tax-deductible.\nTo make a tax deductible donation\, go to the International Contemplative Outreach Organization website at ContemplativeOutreach.org Donation(Required)Would you like to add a donation to your attendance?\n \n \n No donation at this time.\n \n \n \n Yes\, I would like to add a donation 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 Donation Amount(Required)\n \n Total Donation to COSTL\n \n Credit Card(Required)Card 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/poetry-centering-prayer-and-journaling-2027/ CATEGORIES:Soul Trekkers ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://centeringprayerstl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1zo0qlfge0g.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR