Center for Prayer & Spirituality (CPS)

Our Mission Statement

To reawaken an interest in Christian spirituality and to integrate mind, body and spirit by offering contemplative practices, classes, lectures, workshops and spiritual direction to foster connection, understanding and compassion for self, others and the mystery that beautifully and expansively holds us all.

Director

Owene Courtney
[email protected]

Board

Susan Bancks
Megan Cochran
Gregory Curry
Lisa Duncan
Liesl Gavronsky-Howsare
Joe O'Shields

The Quiet Garden Movement

The gardens at St. John’s Cathedral are registered with the international Quiet Garden Trust and throughout the year host regular opportunities for hospitality and prayer. The Quiet Garden Ministry began in 1992 with the first Quiet Garden in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, England. At the heart of Christianity is a treasure to be unearthed: the treasure of contemplative prayer and quiet resting in silence reaching back to Jesus himself, who regularly took time out to pray in solitude and in still places. The Quiet Garden Movement rediscovers these riches and makes them accessible to a spiritually hungry world by providing contexts of natural beauty and stillness where we may refresh our soul. St. John’s Cathedral supports this mission and ministry, eagerly offering its Quiet Gardens to feed the soul of the hungry searching for places of quiet and prayer.
More information.

Periodic Offerings

Quiet Garden Mornings at the Cathedral 2019-2020
Mornings of holy silence with spiritual reflections, readings and prayers. Quiet Garden Mornings are held on the grounds of the Cathedral, including Ingram Lounge, Cummings Chapel, and the Gardens.Join us as we "Listen for the Still Small Voice."

Held on the second Saturday of the month, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

November 16 – Megan Cochran – Listening for the Still Small Voice: Yoga, Scripture and Contemplative Rest

9:30 a.m. Gather/Morning Prayer

10 a.m. Restorative Yin Yoga with Lectio Divina

11 a.m. Yoga Nidra Meditation

Yin yoga is comprised of gentle floor postures held for several minutes each, releasing patterns of tension in the mind and body. Yoga Nidra is a yogic rest meditation where participants are guided through the layers of consciousness into a state of deep contemplative relaxation. This will be a meditative and restorative practice rather than athletic.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own mat and any props they have, but there will be mats and props available for those who need them.

Register here.

December 14 – The Bishop’s Institute for Ministry and Leadership with St John’s Cathedral Quiet Garden Morning for Advent: MEMENTO MORI

‘Remember Your Death’ A Quiet Garden Morning in the Tradition of Bishop Jeremy Taylor’s ‘Holy Living, Holy Dying’ led by The Rev. Donavan Cain, Cummings Chapel Further Notes on the Memento Mori Saturday Retreat

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

All are welcome. Registration fee is $12, includes lunch.

Register here.

January 11 – Sue Carmichael – Listening for the Still Small Voice at St. Margaret's

February 8 – The Rev. Canon Dr. H. Douglas Dupree, Canon Theologian & Rector, THe Bishop's Institute for Minsitry and Leadership – TBD

March 14 – Joe O'Shields – TBD

April 18 – Liesl Gavronsky-Howsare – Listening to the Still Small Voice in the Sacraments

May 9 – LeeAnn Inman and Carrie Inman Nash – Listening for the Mothering Voice of God

LeeAnn is a recently retired United Methodist Minister graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, served 40 years including seven at OP UMC. Carrie is her adult daughter who has Downs Syndrome and has worked with Youth Groups and in the nursery and as a chalice bearer in her mother’s churches.

For more information please contact: Owene Courtney, Director.

11-Step Meditation: A Way to Transformation
Second Saturday | 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Room 301 | Cathedral House

5:45 pm - 7:00 pm.
Led by Megan Cochran

Friday Contemplative Eucharist
Conducted by cathedral clergy and lay leaders, this service combines contemplation and holy communion in a warm, welcoming worship service. Cummings Chapel, 12:10 pm.

Weekly e-Words
E-mailed quotations from works of religious leaders, inviting personal reflection and prayer.
Sign up for the weekly email here.

Center for Prayer & Spirituality (CPS)

Our Mission Statement

To reawaken an interest in Christian spirituality and to integrate mind, body and spirit by offering contemplative practices, classes, lectures, workshops and spiritual direction to foster connection, understanding and compassion for self, others and the mystery that beautifully and expansively holds us all.

Director

Owene Courtney
[email protected]…

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