The Centering Prayer group at St. John’s meets every Tuesday evening from 6-7 p.m.   We meet either in the “big church” at the side altar, or we meet downstairs in the EFM Room.  We welcome any and all who would like to try this out or participate.  Our format is 20 minutes of silent prayer and about 20 minutes of Lectio Divina, a companion practice of studying the scriptures.

“ . . . But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret.  And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.”  Matthew 6:6

“Centering Prayer is a method of prayer which leads to a deeper relationship with God.  It consists of responding to the Spirit of Christ by consent to God’s presence and action within.”  Fr. Thomas Keating

We have several brochures available at the church if you are interested.  We have several books on the library cart:  Open Mind, Open Heart and Invitation to Prayer by Fr. Thomas Keating, as well as Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault.  The contact person for St. Johns is Frances Jackson, jxn543@charter.net, or 434-0560. There is information on the national chapter for Contemplative Outreach, the parent organization for Centering Prayer at www.centeringprayer.com. There is information on the Middle Tennessee Chapter of Contemplative Outreach at www.centeringprayer.com/contacts/Southern.htm.