Shared Practices
Embedded Files
The Partnership for Contemplative Discipleship engages with Christian congregations in the Twin Cities through a variety of practices. These offerings are both within and among our congregational partners. If you want to explore joining the partnership, please contact a Staff Team member to discern next steps for your congregation.
Within Congregations
Two-Year Curriculum in Contemplative Practices
This is a monthly sampler of Christian contemplative prayer practices. Over the course of two years, a spiritual director will come to your congregation monthly to introduce a different prayer practice and to process with the group about their experiences. In between meetings, we encourage participants to try the practice on their own and notice what happens in their lives. Participants will be able to try different practices that bring them closer to a lived experience of God and an invitation to engage in deep contemplative prayer together.
Congregational Listening Circle
Partner congregations can request a circle keeper to come and facilitate a circle or series of circles for their discernment. This deep listening practice opens a contemplative space to hear and be heard. It can help congregations discern future directions and navigate challenges in their communal life. If your congregation wants a longer term commitment to circle practice, our facilitators can provide training in circle keeping.
Discipleship Discernment Mini-Grants
Our mini-grants offer additional funds to support your congregation in discerning your direction in contemplative discipleship. These funds support congregations in both new and ongoing discipleship efforts. Beyond the programs regularly offered by us, these funds offer the chance for innovation in service of your congregational context.
Among Congregations
Discipleship Discernment and Support Groups
We offer multicultural groups open to congregants across partnering congregations to support and learn from one another. This is a facilitated experience and will help participants discover even more deeply their discipleship call and feel supported in that call. This entails a monthly commitment to meet in-person from September through May.
Listening Circles Among Congregations
We will organize occasional listening circles across any or all participating congregations as shared challenges arise. These listening circles serve as places to gather with other Christians from different backgrounds to listen and wonder together. Much like all-congregations retreats, our doors will be wide for participants who want to come together to explore a particular topic or challenge.
Collaborations Among Congregations
In this partnership we support congregations in discovering other ways they may want to work together. We love to support congregations in connecting across religious traditions, social-cultural backgrounds, and languages to discern their calls to discipleship. If your congregation would like to explore working with another congregation(s), let us know - we'll help facilitate connections.
Twice Yearly All-Congregations Retreats
Retreats
Congregants from all participating congregations and interested community members are invited to join twice-yearly retreats - one in the summer and one in the winter. This is a great way to connect across the partnership and get inspired in your contemplative discipleship practice.
You can see more information on the next retreat here.
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