Weekly Gatherings Wednesdays, 5:00-6:00pm Eastern

Register here; all are welcome

If you are new to Contemplative Chapel gatherings via Zoom, please know that you are most welcome to join us. Some are experienced in contemplative prayer and meditation, and many are very new to it all. A desire for peace and stillness is all you need. We meet each Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 6:00 Eastern. Here is a description of our practice:

Once you’ve registered for the Zoom link (see below), you will receive the link, along with a weekly invitation reminder. The weekly Zoom reminder allows you to cancel your registration at any time.

Click here to register for the Zoom link. (For returning participants, this is the same link we’ve always used. No need to register again.)

A good place to begin: Contemplative Outreach publishes two pamphlets that I recommend highly - one on the ancient practice of Lectio Divina and the other on Centering Prayer. If you would like to join our virtual gatherings, please read these two pamphlets carefully. Although I will review the basics when we gather, these pamphlets will prepare you nicely. Even if you are experienced in meditation or contemplative prayer, these little pamphlets can be read regularly to remind us of a counter-cultural way of being present. The world is reminding us every day about the importance of planning, being organized, and orchestrating our lives. Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer depend on an entirely different posture: a posture of openness, receptivity, trust, surrender, letting go, and listening, so that Another may speak and welcome you home again. These pamphlets can help with that.

Note that we all arrive with our microphones muted, and they will remain so until the very end of our time together. It’s good, if possible, to arrive a few minutes early and simply settle in. After a closing blessing, some participants briefly unmute to say goodnight to fellow participants or to express good wishes for the group. Although many of us have never met in person, those who are accustomed to practicing silence together in a group know how bonding that experience can be, even with perfect strangers.

Our virtual gatherings continue to be important to many. Just knowing that this community of support, goodwill, and warm welcome exists is a great encouragement.

Caring for one’s own soul is not a selfish practice; rather, it’s inherently selfless. Reverent care for one’s soul inevitably awakens greater depths of compassion and care for others. Many of you have clearly experienced this deeper awakening and soulful softening, and your spiritual companionship on the journey is a gift to us all.