Oasis Ministries Blog: 5 Little Things

Oasis Ministries Blog: 5 Little Things

5 Little Things

5 Little Things that Create the Opportunity to Listen

While we cannot always guarantee that we will listen, we can implement some structures in our lives that provide the opportunity to listen.

1. Quiet Diet: It was mentioned as part of Noise Awareness Day to have 60 seconds of no noise from 2:15-2:16pm.  Why not challenge yourself to take those 60 seconds everyday in the middle of the afternoon - set your alarm to it (some people even set their cell phone alarms to highlight the 'praying of the hours'.
2. Light a Candle for Bills:  when sitting down to pay your bills, pause a moment and light a candle, simply to be mindful and hold gratitude for the abundance you have.
3. Ask and Receive:  We all know people who physically have a difficult time hearing (and some hearing devices accentuate background noise).  Take a moment to ask those individuals what is the most helpful to them for you to communicate with them, and then receive their wealth of insight and the gifts they offer.
4. Drop a Note: sometimes the noise in our lives is not audible.  Sometimes it is internal static/anxiety and the tensions of obligations.  Take a moment to drop a simple note of remembrance (to re-member) to let someone who comes to mind know that your are thinking of them and holding them in prayer.
5. Pause before meals: we used to sing as a blessing at meal times.  As our household has gotten louder, we have come to hold dear the moments of silence we now take before meals - cherished time to be present together, to not have to talk, to be grateful, to breathe, and to listen.

I am sure you have many more ways.  I welcome your additions and comments.

Oasis in Virginia - May 15 - Spread the Word!

Retreat: An Introduction to Contemplative Prayer

http://www.oasismin.org/Assets/Introduction%20to%20Contemplative%20Prayer.html

 

We welcome you to join us on Saturday, May 15th for a day of quiet
retreat and contemplative spiritual enrichment. Evelyn Underhill writes,
"We mostly spend our lives conjugating three verbs: to Want, to Have, to
Do." Yet our souls are thirsty for something more.
 

Come explore God's invitation to slow down and look beneath the surface of our busy lives to the place where Love waits for us. We will glean from both ancient paths of prayer and contemporary practices with times for silence, solitude,
chant, and small group work.

 

No experience necessary. Please bring a journal and come prepared for an optional walk outdoors, weather permitting.

 

Facilitators for the day will be Roland and Melissa Stock
from Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development in Camp Hill, Pa. Roland
and Melissa belong to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania. They are active in retreat work and spiritual direction in
their parish and beyond.

 

Click here for website – Share with a friend! 

 

When?

Saturday, May 15, 2010; 9:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

 

Where?

Olivet Episcopal Church  www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org

6107 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310-2542; phone: (703) 971-4733

 

Retreat Fee?

$65-$95 (as you are able)

Payment via check or money order--VISA, Mastercard, Discover Card are welcome.

 

Registration Deadline: May 3, 2010

 

To register, contact Betsy Keller at 717.737.8222 or betsykeller@oasismin.org

 

 

NJ Oasis Opportunity: Explore Spiritual Direction

I just wanted to make sure that you knew Oasis was offering an 'Exploring Spiritual Direction' day in New Jersey. Details for the day are below.

 

Share this email or the website for this event: http://www.oasismin.org/Assets/Exploring%20Spiritual%20Direct.html

 

Thanks,

Cindy

 

Exploring Spiritual Direction:
A Retreat Day of Learning

Come join us for ‘a day apart’ coupled with an introduction to spiritual direction. We will explore both the receiving of spiritual direction as a part of an individual’s spiritual walk as well as what is involved in a ministry of offering spiritual direction. As a part of the day, there will be time for prayer and quiet reflection along with a “real” play of a spiritual direction session, presentations about spiritual direction, sharing with others interested in the spiritual life, and information about Oasis Ministries’ training program, Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides.

 

 

Leadership: Lorelei Oelschlager, Marc Oehler, and Jane Politi are all trained spiritual directors and graduates of Oasis' Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides.  Lorelei lives and works at Johnsonburg Presbyterian Center in Johnsonburg, NJ, where she acts as summer chaplain, spiritual sanctuary coordinator, and alumni coordinator. Marc is Associate Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, NJ, and has been on staff for Oasis' SDSG and Contemplative Living programs. Jane is Director of Educational Ministries to Children and Adults at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Trenton, NJ.

 

When?

Tuesday, May 4, 2010; 9:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

 

Where?

Camp Johnsonburg www.campjburg.org

PO Box 475, 822 Rte 519, Johnsonburg, NJ 07846

 

Retreat Fee?

$65-$95 (as you are able)

[Register 3 or more people, receive small group discount: $55-75 per person]

 

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 28, 2010

 

To register, contact Betsy Keller at 717.737.8222 or betsykeller@oasismin.org