Lent at Creekside
Praying with the Mystics—Saturday, February 21 from 8:45am-12pm
Join us at Creekside on February 21 from 8:45 am-12 pm for a morning of Praying with the Mystics. You will be introduced to a handful of mystics and invited to a contemplative prayer practice inspired by their lives. We hope that you will experience a practice or two that resonates with you and helps you orient your heart and life toward a lens of love. And may you discover some good company and fresh invitations from the mystics we meet along the way. Sign up here: Praying with the Mystics: a morning contemplative retreat.
Worship in the Style of Taizé and Soup Dinner and Soup Practices—Wednesday Evenings, beginning Feb 18 and ending April 1
Join Marty Haugen for our Lenten tradition of contemplative worship service by candlelight in the Chapel at 5:45, followed by a soup dinner in the Fireside Room, followed by a bouquet of practices to restore your soul from 7-8pm. Child care provided.
Marty invites instrumentalists who might wish to enhance our prayer by playing at one or more of the services—flute, oboe, cello, guitar, or bass players would be welcome. It would require a rehearsal at some time before playing. If you are interested, you can contact him at martyhaugen@mac.com.
Ash Wednesday Taizé with Marty Haugen: Wednesday, February 18, 5:45pm in the Chapel
With meditative music in the style of Taizé, we will enter into the journey of Lent with open hearts. Join us for this special evening of centering, song, and imposition of ashes. “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
Lenten Fellowship Soup Suppers: Wednesday Evenings, February 18-April 1
Soup suppers will be offered again this year following Marty Haugen’s Wednesday Lenten Services. If you are interested in helping out with one of your favorite soups please contact Helen Nikiel at helennikiel@gmail.com. A sign-up sheet is also available at the Welcome Desk. Bread is welcome too!
Soul Restoration Practices—Wednesdays from 7-8 pm
Choir Practice: If you’ve been pondering joining the choir, this would be a wonderful time… to rehearse for Lent and Easter and Big Music Sunday. Talk to Nancy Grundahl if you are curious. The choir rehearsed from 7-8:30 pm in the Sanctuary.
Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer: Come to the Chapel and join the circle for some heart reading (lectio divina) from Nan Meril’s Psalms for Praying and then a 20 minute centering prayer sit. Simple instructions will be offered.
Creekside Community Sing: Come to the Youth Room to learn simple songs by ear and repetition. Together we will sing songs for spiritual centering, and learn others to support our work in justice movements.
Collective Trauma with Patrick Dougherty: Seeking the light of our souls to help us find the way in these dark times—learning some simple practices through a gentle communal ritual to tend to our aching hearts, weary bodies, and fears for our community and country—March 25 and April 1 only.
Trauma Informed Yoga: During this Lenten season, take time to connect with your body and nervous system as a spiritual practice. You are invited to engage in this gentle practice of trauma-informed body movement and breathwork, where the practice of presence may bring calm to the spirit. Utilizing the principles of yoga combined with the science of Polyvagal Theory, we will engage the body to feel more grounded, safe, and supported. No prior experience of yoga is needed, and all are welcome to participate, whether to move or to rest. Please bring your own mat and even a blanket or other props that feel appropriate for you. Lori Alford is a yoga teacher, with a 200-hour certificate and training as a restorative yoga teacher. She is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who incorporates elements of yoga and nervous system calming into therapy sessions to address how trauma is often stored in the body.
Labyrinth: Walking the labyrinth is an ancient tradition, the twisting path echoing the journey of finding our true center. In the Christian tradition, we think about the journey of coming into alignment with the Divine. It is a way to physically move away from our mundane cares and chaos and take time to simply be in God’s presence. We invite you to join us in walking the labyrinth either on foot or by hand on our finder labyrinth, both of which will be available in the Dining Room.
