Stillpoint- a place of hospitality and prayer
A wonderful and peaceful sacred place that I frequent on Thursday afternoons is- Stillpoint. Stillpoint is an ecumenical "house of prayer" and retreat center run by Sister Kathleen Flood, a carmelite nun.
On Thursdays from 12pm-12:30 (or so) Sis. Kathleen holds midday prayer in the carmelite tradition. It is open to anyone, and usually there are about 5 or so us who show up.
There's nothing charismatic, or supernatural about the way we pray together- I can only sum it up by saying that it is peaceful, simple and beautiful.
We read the psalms together, we pray for one another and those we want to remember, we say ancient liturgy and simply hang out together and catch up with what's going on in life. Sometimes Sister Katleen has prepared her amazingly yummy soup, or sometimes we go over to the Alektor for lunch.
If you're in the area on a Thursday- you should definitely drop in and experience monastic hospitality in an urban setting.
"Prayer, in my opinion, is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him whom we know loves us." - St Teresa
shalom,
jonathon norman
posted by Jonathon @ 8:45 PM
3 Comments:
I wonder if this is the type of setting those who reject "organized religion" are looking for. I met a couple just this evening who are members of a church in town but have recently begun having worship meeting in their home. The gentleman tells me that they are trying to emulate the early church. Stillpoint sounds like a great place to connect.
Your favorite Sacred Spaces are some of mine too. Now I live too far out in the country to visit them as often as I'd like, but when I'm in Nashville they're great spots for peace. Thanks for telling me about Sister Kathleen's midday prayer.
I cannot believe that 40 years ago I didn't find the solitude of the Scarritt campus when I was just across the street attending Peabody.
Hope to see you Friday night at Christ Church. We share some of the same friends too.
Shalom,
**~Auntie Em~
http://aunt-em.blogspot.com/
**Brand new blogger *rolls eyes* what have I gotten myself into?
Great post. Sounds great. I've recently started meeting with a few other guys and we're praying midday prayer in a park near work a couple of times each week. It's great. Peace to you.
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