Practicing the Presence

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We're not meant to run from one thing to another without focus, without peace, without direction. We need to stop, breathe, be quiet, and listen with our hearts. Several years ago a Methodist pastor urged all laypersons attending a training meeting to be aware of how mightily God wants us to be in personal relationship and communication with each one of them. The pastor went on to encourage spending a goodly portion of our prayer time listening. His encouragement echoes the intention of a 6th century set of instructions for all men and women seeking to live the Christian life fully. This document is still in use today and governs the life of many Christian orders--it is the rule of St. Benedict. The Rule contains much wisdom and practical guidance. St. Benedict opens the Rule with these words: "Listen with the ear of your heart."

So, how does one listen with the ear of one's heart? A number of prayer forms have evolved over the centuries that enhance our spiritual listening. Often referred to as contemplation or meditation, these brief exercises include a guided time of silent meditation, a time to journal, and then a time to share with others in the group--if you wish to share.

Here at the Church of the Good Shepherd we have a small group, Practicing the Presence, that prays together in this way. Our group is composed of persons invited to join us at any time they are available. This is a drop-in group. So do come when you are able. We meet for one hour at 1 p.m. each Thursday in Room 7.

For more information, please contact Joe Matney at 703-264-7885 or jsmatney@verizon.net. We would be happy to add your name to our email distribution list which sends out each week's meditation for your use.

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May 2013

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Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
			1 • Morning Prayer Time: 6:30AM Bell Practice Location: Sanctuary Time: 6:15PM Choir Practice Location: Sanctuary Time: 7:30PM Boy Scout Rummage Sale Collection Location: Fellowship Hall Boy Scouts have reserved the fellowship hall to pl ... (Click day to view main calendar)	2 • DCOM Location: Room 11 Time: 9:30AM Practicing the Presence Location: Room 7 Time: 01:00PM Hearts Afire Planning Meeting Location: Adult 2 Time: 07:00PM Boy Scout Rummage Sale Collection Location: Fellowship Hall Boy Scouts have reserved the fellowship hall to pl ... (Click day to view main calendar)	3 • AA Location: Room #10 Time: 08:30PM Boy Scout Rummage Sale Collection Location: Fellowship Hall Boy Scouts have reserved the fellowship hall to pl ... (Click day to view main calendar)	4 • Boy Scout Rummage Sale Location: Fellowship Hall Time: 8:00AM -1:00PM (Click day to view main calendar)
5 • Worship Location: Sanctuary Time: 8:30AM Holy Communion Sunday School - All Ages Location: Education Center, Adult #1, Adult #2 Time: 9:45AM -10:45AM Worship Location: Sanctuary Time: 11:00AM Holy Communion Farewell Reception Location: Narthex Time: 12:00PM (Click day to view main calendar)	6 • Church Council Location: The Gallery Time: 7:00PM OA Time: 7:30PM Meets in Room 10 AA Location: Room 7 Time: 8:30PM -10:00PM Meets in Room #7 (Click day to view main calendar)	7 • Boy Scout Troop 13 Location: Rooms 5, 7,8,9,10,11 Time: 07:00PM (Click day to view main calendar)	8 • Morning Prayer Time: 6:30AM Bell Practice Location: Sanctuary Time: 6:15PM Choir Practice Location: Sanctuary Time: 7:30PM (Click day to view main calendar)	9 • Practicing the Presence Location: Room 7 Time: 01:00PM Teens in Turmoil Location: Room 10 Time: 07:00PM -08:30PM (Click day to view main calendar)	10 • AA Location: Room #10 Time: 08:30PM (Click day to view main calendar)	11 • *UCC PLANNING RETREAT Location: Fellowship Hall Time: 9:00AM -3:00PM Contact Richard Sider email: rsider@uuc.org phone ... Hearts Afire Contemporary Worship Location: Fellowship Hall Time*: 5:30PM (Click day to view main calendar)*
12 • Worship Location: Sanctuary Time: 8:30AM Sunday School - All Ages Location: Education Center, Adult #1, Adult #2 Time: 9:45AM -10:45AM Worship Location: Sanctuary Time: 11:00AM (Click day to view main calendar)	13 • Girl Scout Trp 5714 Location: Junior High Room 9 Time: 07:00PM -08:30PM OA Time: 7:30PM Meets in Room 10 Outreach Team Time: 7:30PM AA Location: Room 7 Time: 8:30PM -10:00PM Meets in Room #7 (Click day to view main calendar)	14 • Boy Scout Troop 13 Location: Rooms 5, 7,8,9,10,11 Time: 07:00PM Pack 13 Monthly Meeting Location: Fellowship Hall Time: 7:00PM -9:00PM . (Click day to view main calendar)	15 • Morning Prayer Time: 6:30AM Bell Practice Location: Sanctuary Time: 6:15PM Bear Scout Meeting Location: Education Center/Fellowship Hall Time: 7:00PM -8:00PM Rob Folsom primary contact 858-333-1663 Choir Practice Location: Sanctuary Time: 7:30PM (Click day to view main calendar)	16 • Practicing the Presence Location: Room 7 Time: 01:00PM (Click day to view main calendar)	17 • AA Location: Room #10 Time: 08:30PM (Click day to view main calendar)	18 • Trustees Work Day Time: 9:00AM -12:00PM (Click day to view main calendar)
19 • Worship Location: Sanctuary Time: 8:30AM Guest Preacher: Dr. Sondra Wheeler, Professor of C ... Sunday School - All Ages Location: Education Center, Adult #1, Adult #2 Time: 9:45AM -10:45AM Worship Location: Sanctuary Time: 11:00AM Guest Preacher: Dr. Sondra Wheeler, Professor of C ... (Click day to view main calendar)	20 • Trustee's Meeting Location: Adult 2 Time: 07:00PM -08:30PM OA Time: 7:30PM Meets in Room 10 AA Location: Room 7 Time: 8:30PM -10:00PM Meets in Room #7 (Click day to view main calendar)	21 • Boy Scout Troop 13 Location: Rooms 5, 7,8,9,10,11 Time: 07:00PM (Click day to view main calendar)	22 • Morning Prayer Time: 6:30AM Bell Practice Location: Sanctuary Time: 6:15PM Choir Practice Location: Sanctuary Time: 7:30PM (Click day to view main calendar)	23 • Preschool Time: 9:30AM Practicing the Presence Location: Room 7 Time: 01:00PM Hot Meals Location: Kitchen Time: 02:00PM -05:30PM Contact Lyn Hanke or Laurie Juliana. Dominion Christian School Location: Fellowship Hall Time: 7:30PM Diane Whitten, contact (Click day to view main calendar)	24 • AA Location: Room #10 Time: 08:30PM (Click day to view main calendar)	25 No Events (Click day to view main calendar)
26 • Worship Location: Sanctuary Time: 8:30AM Sunday School - All Ages Location: Education Center, Adult #1, Adult #2 Time: 9:45AM -10:45AM Worship Location: Sanctuary Time: 11:00AM (Click day to view main calendar)	27 • OA Time: 7:30PM Meets in Room 10 Worship Team Location: Information Center Time: 07:30PM Contact Lyn Hanke. AA Location: Room 7 Time: 8:30PM -10:00PM Meets in Room #7 (Click day to view main calendar)	28 • Boy Scout Troop 13 Location: Rooms 5, 7,8,9,10,11 Time: 07:00PM (Click day to view main calendar)	29 • Morning Prayer Time: 6:30AM Bell Practice Location: Sanctuary Time: 6:15PM Choir Practice Location: Sanctuary Time: 7:30PM (Click day to view main calendar)	30 • Practicing the Presence Location: Room 7 Time: 01:00PM (Click day to view main calendar)	31 • Dominion Christian School Location: Sanctuary Time: 6:00PM -10:00PM Not sure of exact time at present. In contac ... AA Location: Room #10 Time: 08:30PM (Click day to view main calendar)

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