Contemplative Outreach Newsletter # 5

San Francisco Chapter---July, 2009

In This Issue:

1. Important Request: Prison Ministry Need for Centering Prayer Books

2. Announcements/Dates about Future Events

---Facilitator Training for Centering Prayer Small Group Leaders July 18

---Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshops

---Local Centering Prayer Retreats--Remainder of 2009

---Workshop on Julian of Norwich

If you are having trouble reading this newsletter please go to our website http://www.contemplativeoutreach-norcal.org/newsletters/newsletters.html

Article 1: Final Call Request--Need for Centering Prayer Books--Prison Ministry

The Centering Prayer books for prisons will be purchased by August 7. Are you willing to donate $15 to $25 to purchase one Centering Prayer book for inmates to check out and read in their cells, or a Centering Prayer training DVD for volunteers to use with inmates in chapel meetings? If so, please act now.....

Every dollar donation in full will be used to purchase and distribute Centering Prayer books and DVDs to the chapel libraries of a dozen prisons and correctional facilities. If you feel called to help, please make a check out to Contemplative Outreach of San Francisco, with a notation "prison books" and mail check to Mary Wyman, Coordinator, Contemplative Outreach, 202 Roosevelt Way, San Francisco, CA 94114.

Background: In California, nearly 50 Contemplative Outreach volunteers visit prisons and other correctional facilities every week, bringing the quiet of Centering Prayer instruction and meditation to the constantly noisy lives of inmates. This well regarded ministry has been nurtured by Centering Prayer volunteers for many years, and has been blessed with visits by Thomas Keating to the prisons where Centering Prayer groups of inmates meet.

Although volunteers are able to hold Centering Prayer instruction and prayerful practice with inmates, (in both male and female correctional institutions) there remains an identified need throughout the system for Centering Prayer books that can be checked out and studied by inmates.

Action: It is the intent of Contemplative Outreach of San Francisco to purchase and establish a small contemplative prayer library in thirteen of these prison facilities this summer, but we need your financial help.

There are half dozen titles in both Spanish and English that are appropriate to this population and ministry, as well as enrichment Centering Prayer DVDs and Videos as relevant and practical resources for the prison groups. The cost of these items range from $15 to $25 per item. Any amount you contribute to purchase books and DVDs will be deeply appreciated by Contemplative Outreach and the volunteers who visit and pray with organized groups of countless prison inmates.

Please Note: This request is Time sensitive---August 7 Deadline.-----Thank you.

Article 2: Announcements/Dates for Future Events

a) Conference for Facilitators of Centering Prayer Small Groups--July 18, 9:00am to 4:00pm--Our Lady of Lourdes Library, Oakland, on Boden near Lakeshore. To register and for more info, email mary.wyman@yahoo.com.

b) Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshops

---Most Holy Redeemer Church, San Francisco has cancelled its August 1 workshop and rescheduled for October 17.

---San Quentin Prison--closed group--July, 2009

---Folsom Prison--closed group--Centering Prayer as the 11th Step (12-Step Program) July, 2009

---Mercy Center--Burlingame, CA--September 27, 2009--To register, call (650) 340-7474.

If you are interested in learning about how to sponsor an Introductory Workshop, email mary.wyman@yahoo.com.

c) Centering Prayer Retreats remaining in 2009

---4-day Centering Prayer Summer Retreat--Mercy Center, Burlingame, CA--August 6-9. To register, call 650-340-7474.

---Prison Retreat--Mercy Center, Burlingame, CA--August 7-9, 2009. For info, email mary.wyman@yahoo.com

---Centering Prayer--Korean Community, San Damiano, Danville, CA--Aug. 7-9 Email myounghwankim@hotmail.com

---Centering Prayer as the 11th (of 12 Steps)--Mercy Center, Burlingame--Oct 30-Nov 1--To register, call 650-340-7474.

---4-Day Centering Prayer Winter Retreat--San Damiano, Danville, CA--Dec.10-13--to register, call 925-837-9141.

d) Workshop on Julian of Norwich

---Fr. Terry Ryan--Paulist Bookstore--Chinatown, Oct 24--9:00 to 1:00--Corner of California & Grant Ave.--San Francisco

And finally, please support our Prison Book Drive by August 7,2009

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.