Hi All,

1.  Weekly Message/"Newsletter", Communication in General. Last week the group affirmed the notion of having a weekly heads up on events and the service readings and chants for the next day.  The St. MIchael's website has a tab for Contemplative Christianity:  www.stmichaels-vt.org/contemplative-christianity.  Here's Bourgeault's website:  www.contemplative.org.

2.  Thursday 9.22 Service  Watch for future MP3 embeds so you can listen to the chants ahead of time! (If you know how to do this please teach me)

Chant 1:  Be still and know that I AM God

Chant 2:  Come into being as you pass away

Lectio (Sunday 9.18 Epistle Philippians 2:

"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross."

This reading is chosen over the gospel as it is the core text for "kenosis"--the main teaching of Jesus through his words and actions on earth.  The word Paul uses for "emptied himself" is the Greek word "kenosis".  Centering Prayer is our daily "kenotic" skill practice of letting go/self-emptying.  A good Fall Equinox observance as our the daylight now begins to empty itself toward fullest darkness in December.

Chant 3: Leave all things you have and come and follow me.

3. Mary Magdalene Bookstudy--RSVP please by replying to this email.  I sent an email last Thursday detailing the class starting tomorrow, Thursday September 22 from 4:00 to 5:15. Several have let me know they are or are not coming.  Please let me know so I can make the right number of handouts.  If you didn't get the email, email me to re-send it.

4. September 29 Service: Jean Smith will be leading a St. Michael's Day observance.

5. I will be away at Advanced Wisdom School in mid-Hudson Valley NY from Wed September 28-Sunday October 2.  You can read about Wisdom Schools and other events at Cynthia Bourgeault's website www.contemplative.org.  Advanced Wisdom Schools are to provide training in wisdom leadership.  We will be focusing on the Cloud of Unknowing especially and its links with Mary Magdalene.  A 14th century anonymous mystical text, "The Cloud" is the source for Centering Prayer as it speaks about "bare intent to God".  My first exposure to Christian wisdom training was in September 2007 at the same venue, Bethany convent of Jesus and Mary in Highland Mills NY.

Much blessing to all,

Helen