Meditation  Group

 Meets in the John Calvin Chapel every Thursday morning at 8:00 - 9:00  A.M.

Everyone is welcome!

Enter in the silence

(please use East Lounge door)

Take a Bible available at the entrance.

Take a seat.

Use whatever silent meditation practice you may know.

(twenty minutes)

When the time is over, someone will say,

"In Jesus' name."

Then the ancient Christian method of "Lectio Divina" begins:

It is a way of connecting with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen, pray and rest in God's Word.

A passage of scripture is chosen from the list of liturgy readings for the following Sunday.

When all agree on the one passage

someone will read it aloud.

Then read the passage silently

to yourself.

"Reading (lectio) - Slowly begin reading a biblical passage as if it were a long awaited love letter addressed to you. Approach it reverently and expectantly, in a way that savors each word and phrase.  Read the passage until you hear a word or short phrase that touches you, resonates, attracts or even disturbs you.

"Reflecting (meditatio) - Ponder this word or short phrase for a few minutes. Let it sink in slowly and deeply until you are resting in it. Listen for what the word or phrase is saying to you at this moment in your life, what it may be offering to you, what it may be demanding of you.  What "comes to you" may have nothing to do with the meaning of the passage...often it does not.

 "Expressing (oratio) - When you feel ready, openly and honestly express to God the prayers that arise spontaneously within you from your experience of this word or phrase. These may be prayers of thanksgiving, petition, intercession, lament, or praise.

 "Resting (contemplatio) - Allow yourself to simply rest silently with God for a time in the stillness of your heart remaining open to the fullness of God's love and peace. ."

Someone will designate when the fifteen minutes is over.

This is the time to share, if you want, any insights the practice brought to you.

After the time of sharing is over, there is a time to voice any intercessory prayers concerns you may have.

Then, all rise and the Lord's Prayer is said together,

using simple hand motions to bring in a kinesthetic quality.