Supporting Spiritual Leadership
By Rev. Elizabeth Rechter, Executive Director
“What goes on in those silent depths during the time of Centering Prayer is no one’s business, not even your own; it is between your innermost being and God... Your own subjective experience of the prayer may be that nothing happened—except for the more-or-less continuous motion of letting go of thoughts. But in the depths of your being, in fact, plenty has been going on, and things are quietly but firmly being rearranged. That interior rearrangement—or to give it its rightful name, that interior awakening—is the real business of Centering Prayer.”
Dear Friends,
As a practitioner of Centering Prayer myself, I have found this quote most helpful. It reminds me to trust God’s molding—below the surface, at my depths, in the silence, “plenty is going on.”
It is the challenge of the work of Stillpoint to trust that all we offered this year—our day retreats with Judith Favor, James Finley, and Dan Horan; each of our individual Spiritual Direction practices; our formation programs, The Journey and The Art of Spiritual Direction, in Southern California and Ghost Ranch, New Mexico—are all part of the great rearrangement. We trust that helping people recognize and connect with God in their lives strengthens the human community. We trust it helps the world in which we live, even on the days it seems like nothing is happening, nothing is changing.
"Plenty is going on."
And this holy, healing work needs additional financial support in order for it to continue to thrive. While our day retreats had strong attendance this year (James Finley’s retreat welcomed 150 retreatants!), our Journey classes grew, and we celebrated 18 new graduates, costs continue to challenge us.
We depend on your generosity to sustain this good work.
I ask you to consider making a contribution this month. Here are ways your gifts can help:
A donation of $75 pays for delicious and healthy snacks at a day retreat
A donation of $100 pays for coffee for a day retreat
A donation of $150 covers the ever present printing costs for one of our events
A donation of $250 pays the rental fee for a one day workshop
A donation of $500 funds a speaker
A donation of $1000 helps build and maintain our website (our virtual office in the world)
A donation of $1600 provides a one year tuition scholarship
A donation of $2000 makes a path for new programs like Regional Contemplative Gatherings and Contemplative Living Classes
Thank you for being a prayerful part of the Stillpoint community, and for your financial support. It is a privilege to be part of this good work with you.
With Gratitude,
Elizabeth+
Rev. Elizabeth I. Rechter
Executive Director, Stillpoint