Newsletter/News

In January 2006 and 2007, John Boyd, a member of Christ Church, joined the Albany diocese mission team to the Dominican Republic. For 2008, John Martin joined John Boyd for the mission trip. The team stayed in the DR for a week, providing medical care, working on construction projects, running a vacation bible school and teaching sewing skills. For example, a High School that has been under construction is due to be finished and opened later this year, providing much needed access to secondary education for children in rural villages. The team helped complete the roof during this year's mission trip. As part of the medical team, John traveled to a remote village where team members went door-to-door providing much needed medical care. In addition, John helped train young people as "first responders", equipping them to assess villagers and notify the local priest when immediate medical treatment is needed.

The people of the Dominican Republic are desperately poor and appreciate the mission team and the help they receive. They also have a great love for Jesus as their savior. John was transformed by the love of Christ he received in the Dominican Republic and is eagerly awaiting his opportunity to return.

In January 2009, Pat and Bambi Becker joined John and John as part of the mission team.

Prayer Quilt Ministry

Christ Church and the DOK will be making prayer quilts. We will be sewing on the 3rd Saturday of each month. We are looking for donations of 100% cotton either new or next to new and sewing supplies. There is a box in the back of the church for donations. Please consider joining us in giving the gift of prayer and comfort to someone who is in need to be covered in prayer.

An Invitation to Contemplative Prayer

To paraphrase Thomas Keating in his book “Open Mind Open Heart: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel”, interest in Eastern spiritual traditions, such as meditation, is a symptom of what is lacking in the West. There is a deep spiritual hunger that is not being satisfied by mainstream Christian religious practice.

However, as Keating explains, “During the first fifteen centuries of Christianity contemplative prayer was a common practice. The method of prayer proposed for lay persons and monastics alike in the first Christian centuries was lectio divina, literally, “divine reading”, a practice that involved reading scripture, or more exactly, listening to it.” Pg.20

What is contemplative prayer?

Contemplative Prayer first and foremost is an opportunity to develop your relationship with the Holy Spirit by creating within yourself a still and silent space to receive God. It is a way to live the scripture, “Be still and know that I am God”. Through true inner stillness God can speak to Our Spirit by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

What can I expect from contemplative prayer?

At the very least you will leave a session feeling relaxed. You will also learn a new way of being with God that you can practice at home. You may gain insight into your questions, or discernment about your direction. Over time you’ll develop an awareness of the still place within you that is connected with the eternal God, and be able to recognize when you are living from that perspective. When practiced daily contemplative prayer can heal your wounded soul through being in the holy presence of God’s unending love.

What we do at contemplative prayer?

We begin with a few minutes of deep mindful breathing to foster relaxation and become centered and fully present. We then transition into guided meditation to develop awareness of our different aspects; body, mind, emotions, and beneath it all, our spirit. Fifteen minutes is spent in silent Centering Prayer. During Centering Prayer we use a simple prayer or a single word or image giving the mind a single-point of focus with the intention to be still and know the presence of God within. We then practice Lectio Devina, reading texts of scripture and inviting God to speak to us through the Bible. After reading the scripture out loud we enter another ten minutes of quiet contemplation with an open mind and expectant heart while we listen for the Holy Spirit. To wrap up our contemplative prayer gathering we are invited to share with others relevant insight we may have had during this prayerful interlude.

Contemplative Prayer is not for everyone, but the only way to know if it is for you is to experience it yourself. If any part of you is feeling pulled toward this way of being with God, honor that small voice within you. It’s God calling you into a deeper relationship with Him.