Indianapolis, Indiana
"God's first language is silence. Everything else is a poor translation."
Thomas Keating
Indianapolis Chapter Servant Leadership Team
| Mary Beth Riner | Coordinator | mary.riner@gmail.com |
| Linda Farley | Past Coordinator | lleefarley@aol.com |
| John Drake | Treasurer | jdrake237@gmail.com |
| Mary Kendall | Secretary | mkendall@iu.edu |
| Don Nicholas | Education Coordinator | dnichola@bsu.edu |
| Karen Spear | Communications and Prayer Group Liaison | kspear@marian.edu |
| Chris Haynes | E-Communications Coordinator | chaynes56@gmail.com |
| Marilyn Webb | Centering Prayer Gatherings Facilitator | marilynfwebb@sbcglobal.net |
Contemplative Outreach of Indianapolis continues to offer opportunities to nourish and support one another in our practice of Centering Prayer and the process of divine transformation.
- Several active prayer groups continue to meet, pray and learn to provide support for our practice.
- Centering Prayer Introductory Programs by our chapter-commissioned Centering Prayer Presenters are available on request.
- An Intensive Centering Prayer 5-day retreat for experienced Centering Prayer participants offers the opportunity to extend the practice of centering prayer into daily life.
- Bimonthly opportunities continue where we gather to pray, learn, and share together as a Contemplative Outreach chapter.
For more information, please contact Mary Beth Riner on the Leadership Team.
Scheduled Events
5-Day Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat
Contemplative Outreach of Indianapolis will offer a 5-Day Intensive Centering Prayer October 18 to October 22, 2023. More information about the retreat and registration instructions will be forthcoming.
Upcoming 2023 Programming
CO of Indianapolis meets via Zoom only from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd Saturday of the month for centering prayer and Lectio Divina. On the 4th Saturday of the month, we meet in-person and via Zoom from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with centering prayer and special programming. An invitation e-mail with the link to Zoom will continue to be sent out to the CO-Indy email list prior to the Saturday gatherings. Click here if you’d like to be put on the CO-Indy email list.
Dates for 2nd Saturday Meetings: Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina at 9:00 a.m.
- January 14
- February 11
- March 11
- April 8
- May 15
- June 10
- July 8
- August 12
- September 9
- October 14
- November 11
- December 9
Dates for 4th Saturday Meetings: Centering Prayer and Special Programming at 9:00 a.m.
- January 28 – John Drake – Julian of Norwich
- February 25 – Mary Kendall – Mary Mrozowski: The Audacity of the Divine
- March 25 – Book Discussion: Fr. Thomas Keating’s The Human Condition
- • April 22 and May 27 – Don Nichols: The Cloud of Unknowing
Julian of Norwich
Have you heard of the 14th century mystic Julian of Norwich? Can you imagine that her message could still be relevant to the 21st century? On January 28th, I will answer these questions and more. Julian has seen a recent renewal of interest for her unique approach to the problems of the 14th century that can be guidelines for us today. You will want especially to hear her explanation of the Trinity and her descriptions of her visions.
The Audacity of the Divine
Mary Mrozowski was one of the pioneers of the centering prayer movement and the originator of the Welcoming Prayer. Mary was Fr. Thomas Keating’s early partner in bringing centering prayer into everyday life. Judy Halbreich, Mary’s daughter, animated her mother’s rich contemplative life, inspired teaching, and vibrant humanity in her book, The Audacity to be Divine. Join us on February 25 as we journey into the life and ministry of Mary Mrozowski.
The Cloud of Unknowing
Learn a bit more about the Cloud of Unknowing—one of the foundational teachings of centering prayer—and its relevance to your personal experience. Don Nicholas, with the help of selected portions of Jim Finley's episodes on The Cloud in his podcast “Turning to the Mystics,” will lead our discussion of this 14th century anonymous author. Don will present information and then structure some small group discussion about The Cloud.
Book Discussion
Book discussion nominations are now open: In 2023 we are going to use one 4th Saturday program for a book discussion. The focus will be to deepen and broaden our collective view of how a silent meditation practice can further develop our spiritual life. The Service Team invites your book nominations for consideration. Email your nominations to Mary Beth Riner.
Contemplative Nature Walks
A contemplative walk in nature can foster our sense of connectedness to the natural world. It can create space for gratitude and honoring the creator of the world in which we live. For more information on taking a contemplative walk in nature, see our flyer.
Dates for Contemplative Nature Walks
- Spring Equinox, March 20, 2023
- Summer Solstice – June 21, 2023
- Fall Equinox – September 23
- Winter Solstice – December 21
The following Centering Prayer groups meet in the Central Indiana area.
|
Location |
Facilitator Contact |
Meeting Times |
|---|---|---|
| St. Thomas Aquinas 535 W. State St. West Lafayette, Indiana |
Becky Dick beckydick.wl@gmail.com |
Mondays, 5:30 p.m. |
| North United Methodist Church 3808 N. Meridian Street Indianapolic, Indiana |
Donna Sandage dsandage49@gmail.com |
Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. |
| First United Church 2420 E. Third St. Bloomington, Indiana |
Chris Haynes chaynes56@gmail.com 812-360-0296 |
Zoom Centering Prayer Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. |
| Holy Spirit Church at Geist 10350 Glaser Way Fishers, Indiana |
Helen Jean Bluemle 317-578-0792 |
2nd Wednesday, 12:45 p.m. |
| Northwest Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana |
Marilyn Webb marilynfwebb@sbcglobal.net 317-341-3512 |
3rd Thursday, 3:30 p.m. |
| St. Thomas Aquinas Church 4600 N. Illinois Street Indianapolis, Indiana |
Karen Spear kspear@marian.edu 317-213-7232 |
Thursday Evenings Discussion at 6:00 PM Centering at 6:30 pm Face-to-face in the chapel and virtual. |
| St. Mathew Catholic Church 4100 E. 56th St. Indianapolis, Indiana |
Judy Hipskind hippyhauS518@gmail.com 317-546-2970 |
Centering Prayer and book discussion Zoom gathering at this time--may be moving to face to face Monday Evening 7-8 PM |
About Contemplative Outreach of Indianapolis
Contemplative Outreach of Indianapolis is part of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. Established in 1984 by Father Thomas Keating, a Trappist monk, Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. is a worldwide spiritual network made up of individuals and small faith communities committed to renewing the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in everyday life and to teach the method of Centering Prayer.
In the late 1980s, the Benedict Inn Retreat & Conference Center held a number of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina workshops and retreats; through these experiences, an interest in contemplative prayer and a desire of many for Contemplative Outreach opportunities grew in the Indianapolis area. The chapter of Contemplative Outreach of Indianapolis began January 13, 2007, when 35 people met with the leaders from Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. to discern their intention to form a contemplative community. Today the Indianapolis CO chapter has an active leadership team identifying the needs of the chapter for on-going growth. As a chapter, we have facilitated two Living Flame series with national Contemplative Outreach teachers, several day retreats exploring St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, Thomas Merton, Meister Eckhart, and Thomas Kelly. We have prayed with and learned about the Welcoming Prayer, the Prayer of Forgiveness, Lectio Divina, Attention/Intention, and praying with poetry. In addition, we viewed many enlightening videos of Cynthia Bourgeault, Thomas Keating, James Finley, and Richard Rohr. Since 2020, we have met via ZOOM twice a month, praying and sharing Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina the 2nd Saturday of the month and offering prayer and education on the 4th Saturday. On April 23, 2022, we were pleased to return in person (while continuing virtually) on our 4th Saturday gatherings.
Contemplative Outreach Indianapolis continues to celebrate our past and plan for our future, offering opportunities to nourish and support one another in our practice of Centering Prayer.