Join us Thursday 5/22 @ 10 a.m. at the La Porte Public Library wifi garden (904 Indiana Ave.) for Centering Prayer.

Centering Prayer begins with finding a comfortable seat in a space where you might be willing to close your eyes and feel safe. If you keep your eyes open, try to maintain a blurry focus so that you are concentrating inward more than outward. You may sit on the floor or ground or even lie down. You may sit on a bench, chair, or log. Wherever you choose to sit, find a comfortable position to remain in for a predetermined amount of time. YOU get to pick that amount of time, anything from 2 minutes to an hour, as you prefer. Set a timer beforehand so that you don’t have to keep “checking” the time. Mother Michelle sometimes uses an app called Mindfulness, with a lovely bell. Any simple timer will work. Or let your mind tell you when it is time.

Before settling into Centering Prayer, it is recommended that you select a word or phrase. The word can be Holy, practical, emotional, situational, etc.  The word is an anchor to bring you back from the adventures your mind will inevitably take you on. Love, peace, God, presence are all good examples. Often, the more still you try to be, the more things pop-up for your mental to do list. When those thoughts crowd in and distract you from being still, you will come back to your word or phrase to find stillness again.

Once your word is selected, settle into your comfortable position and center yourself into a space of quiet stillness. There may be things going on around you, that’s ok. Your mind will wander, that’s ok. You may even have people stop and talk to you. That is also ok. Simply acknowledge the distraction and recenter. Enjoy the journey over the destination. There is no gold star for perfect Centering Prayer. (Thank heavens!)

To provide you encouragement, Mother Michelle wants you to know that many of her first Centering Prayer practices resulted in lovely naps. Those were not failures. Any endeavors to bring ourselves closer to the presence of God are good and worthy, so enjoy the practice without judgment.

Join us Thursday 5/29 @ 10 a.m. at Foundation Square (803 Michigan Ave.) for Simple Presence.

Simple Presence is very similar to Centering Prayer, so read that description first if you haven’t already. The main difference for Mother Michelle is that Simple Presence is generally done with your eyes open. You will still find a comfortable position to sit and maybe even select a word or phrase for focus. Instead of closing your eyes, however, you might select one focal point to sort of stare at during your contemplation. It might be a flower, the leaf on a tree, a building in the distance. (If you’re at the library, it might be the bell tower of the church.) Whatever you choose, use it as a beacon to draw you back to quiet mind whenever your thoughts inevitably get the best of you.

Join us Thursday 6/5 @ 10 a.m. at Luhr County Park (3178 S 150 W) for Poetry Writing

Poetry Writing - There are many ways to use poetry as a tool for contemplation. For example, choose a piece of prose that draws you in with its lyrical qualities. Read it over several times as you think about the words, their meaning, their rhythm. Select words or phrases from the writing in a poetical pattern that conveys an idea or describes a scene. Let your imagination and your thoughts run free.

Or maybe try writing your own poem. Feel free to use any format. Perhaps write a Haiku, which is a traditional Japanese poem of 3 lines, usually line 1 with 5 syllables, line 2 with 7 syllables, and line 3 with 5 syllables. Although the number of syllables may vary slightly, it is always only 3 lines. Haikus typically focus on what is present around you and they don’t generally include pronouns (I, you, he, she). Listen, see, touch, inhale, taste—and then relax and write.

Geese flying, honking

South in fluctuating V’s

Fleeing winter

Poetry can draw us closer to God in many ways. Experiment for yourself.

Join us Thursday 6/12 @ 10 a.m. at Clarke Park (1400 Farrand Ave.) for Body Prayer.

Body Prayer (from cascadialivingwisdom.com/body-prayer-julian-of-norwich)

The 14th century Christian mystic, Julian of Norwich, once wrote, “The fruit and the purpose of prayer is to be 'oned' with and like God in all things.” After suffering immense pain she created this body prayer as a simple and beautiful way to pray without words.

These days when so many of us have been handed a faith tradition that ignores or distrusts or sometimes even hates the body, and when we live in a society that has made the body a commodity, and has privileged certain kinds of bodies more than others, this prayer can be a way to reclaim God's love for all our bodies.

Julian of Norwich’s body prayer can help us resist the idea that the body is something we need to renounce or transcend in order to experience communion with God. Instead, Julian invites us to be in our bodies, embrace our physicality as a way to ground ourselves, and find oneness with the divine and with all living things. As you pray this prayer it can help you connect your heart, mind, and body and to more fully experience God’s love for every part of you.

The prayer has four simple postures. And intentions.

• AWAIT (hands at waist, cupped up to receive): Await God’s presence, however it may come to you.

• ALLOW (reach up, hands open): Allow a sense of God’s presence) to come …or not…and be what it is.

• ACCEPT (hands at heart, cupped towards body): Accept as a gift whatever comes or does not come. Accept that you don’t know everything, that you are not in charge.

• ATTEND (hands outstretched, ready to be responsive): Attend to what you are called to, willing to be present and be God’s love in the world, however God calls you to.

Join us Thursday 6/19 @ 10 a.m. at Kiwanis-Teledyne Park (1208 Pine Lake Ave.) for Simple Presence.

Campfire Contemplation - As Mother Michelle shared in her Scout Sunday (2/2/25) sermon one of the contemplative practices she really enjoys is (camp)fire building. From the preparation of the space to the gathering of the materials for burning to the ongoing supervision and feeding of the fire, it is a process that requires patience and presence. It can seem like nothing is going on at all and then suddenly there is fire. Or if neglected, where there was fire is now only ash.

If you are in place where you can build even a small fire safely, give it a try. That may be in your own fireplace if you have one. If not, you can replace this contemplative practice with the simple lighting of a candle. Try it with a match (vs. a lighter). Pay attention to how the wick lights and then how the wax around it begins to melt. Watch the flame as it dances with the heat and movement of air. Above all, be present to the moments and God’s invention of such an interesting thing – fire.

Join us Thursday 6/26 @ 10 a.m. at Fox Park (401 Truesdale Ave.) for Painting.

Painting - Never in a million years did Mother Michelle think she would find such joy in watercolor painting. There’s something about watercolors that is intriguing, however. It is a process that requires you to both plan ahead (painting backgrounds first and then foregrounds) and be flexible (if you have too much or too little water on the brush, you have to improvise). Mother Michelle’s traveling paint set and journal have been many places with her. She often attempts to paint the scenery around her to capture the memory.

St. Paul’s own Lynn Grenough will teach a simple watercolor painting workshop the Sunday in which painting is scheduled for the week. She will provide you with a few basic supplies that will allow you to create your own adventure. And during the workshop she will instruct you on creating your own masterpiece. You will then be challenged to go out into nature and paint something on your own.

Even if you think painting isn’t in your skillset, please be encouraged to give it a try during the workshop. When it comes time to practice it over the week, if you don’t want to paint you could sketch or simply notice the many shades of color in the nature surrounding you. There must be at least 1,000 shades of green. Give God glory for the gift of color, with or without painting it!

Join us Thursday 7/3 @ 10 a.m. at Creekridge County Park (7943 W 400 N, Michigan City IN.) for Gentle Yoga.

(Gentle) Yoga is one of the first successful ways that Mother Michelle practiced contemplative space. The slow careful movement of the body combined with a quiet and sacred place really helped her to “reattach her head to her body” in ways nothing else did. Yoga can be sweaty and difficult, with lots of flexibility and strength needed. Or it can be simple and slow, with the focus of simply turning inward. It can be done standing, seated, lying down or in any combination of those positions. It should always be done carefully though, especially if it is a new practice for you.

Gentle yoga is scheduled for Creek Ridge County park, which is a large county park where many different outdoor spaces are available. You might bring a yoga mat or blanket if you think being on the ground is your adventure. You might bring a lawn chair or look for a bench if seated yoga is more your style. Or you might remain standing the entire time.

The following poses can be customized for almost any participant. Feel free to do an internet search for good visuals. Always do only what feels comfortable for you. And please, for any standing or balancing pose, make sure you have a nearby chair, bench, tree or the like to use as an assist. These instructions are given as if you are standing. They are the same movements if you are seated or lying down, just adjusted for where the ground is beneath you.

• Mountain pose – With feet firmly planted on the ground, about one foot width apart, stand tall with your head over you heart over your hips over your feet. Arms are extended down your sides with open palms facing forward. Breathe deeply.

• Shoulder rolls – Remaining in mountain pose, gently lift your shoulders toward your ears and roll your shoulders to the back, as many times as feels good. Switch direction and lift/roll your shoulders to the front.

• Neck stretches –

  • Remaining in mountain pose, turn your head and neck to look over your right shoulder (keeping your shoulders where they were, in line with your hips). Then look the other direction.

  • Next lower your right ear toward your right shoulder. Hold the stretch for a breath or two. Switch sides by returning to upright position and lowering to the other side.

  • Finally, lower your right ear toward your right shoulder, hold for a breath, and gently roll your head forward so that your chin is to your chest and then continue until your left ear is near your left shoulder. Roll left to right and back again as is comfortable but do NOT roll your head backwards unless that is something you already do regularly.

  • Return to upright position.

• Extended mountain pose – Slowly raise your arms to the sky, palms facing each other, about shoulder distance apart. Look gently toward the heavens as your balance allows.

• Gentle twist – Slowly lower your arms (keeping them straight) with your left arm straight in front of you and your right arm straight behind you (or as straight as it goes). Return to extended mountain and then twist the other way (right arm in front, left arm in back). You should feel a stretch in your torso.

• Tree pose – Be sure you have a stability aid near you such as an actual tree, bench, or friend. Tree pose begins like mountain but with your feet a little closer together, with hands at sides, on hips, or palms together in prayer position. The simplest tree pose is shifting your weight onto one foot while lifting the heel (only) on the other foot and switching back and forth with slow intention. If that works with your balance of the day, try lifting one foot and balancing for a short period of time and switching. There are several other more challenging positions that you can try if you feel able. Always listen to what your body is telling you when you are actually in the practice.

• Forward fold – From mountain pose, keeping a slight bend in the knees, bend forward as your body allows with your arms dangling in front of you toward the ground OR gently placed on your legs for support as you need. You might have a block on the ground in front of you for support. Feel free to swing left and right gently, as feels good for you. Slowly raise back up to mountain position. Breathe deeply.

• Prayer pose – Place your palms together in front of your heart/chest area and give thanks for the ways in which you can move this beautiful body of yours.

Join us Thursday 7/10 @ 10 a.m. at Unity Park (1000 Lakeside) for Breathing as Prayer.

Breathing as Prayer - One of the simplest contemplative prayers we can offer is breathing as prayer. As Mother Michelle learned during her yoga teacher training, there are many breathing patterns that can be used in this practice. One of the simplest patterns is Box breathing in which you inhale for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, exhale for a count of 4 and then repeat. This can be done sitting comfortably in any location (eyes open or closed) or while driving down the expressway (eyes open!). Box breathing is a good technique for both grounding and anxiety/stress management.

Other simple breathing techniques include alternate nostril breathing and longer exhale. With alternate nostril breathing you begin with blocking one nostril, inhaling switching to the other nostril, exhaling through that nostril and then inhaling through the same nostril, and switching nostrils again to exhale and inhale. You will want to inhale and exhale slowly (maybe to a count of 8) and repeat this until you’ve inhaled and exhaled through each nostril 8-10 times.

Longer exhale breathing involves taking a slow intentional breath with a specific count, holding for a count of one, and exhaling for the specific count + one. For example, inhale for 4 counts, hold for one count, exhale for 5 counts. Repeat several times, increasing by one each time until you’ve reached your capacity. (ie: Inhale 4, hold 1, exhale 5: Inhale 5, hold 1, exhale 6; Inhale 6, hold 1, exhale 7, etc.)

Join us Thursday 7/17 @ 10 a.m. at Kesling Park (2150 A St.) for Lectio Divina.

Lectio divina is Latin for divine reading and refers most simply to a slow intentional reading and reflection of a Scripture or other Holy writing. The reading is most often out loud and a shorter passage (think no longer than a Gospel reading on Sunday morning). Our Thursday morning Bible study uses a version of Lectio Divina where we read the upcoming Gospel passage first in one translation and later in another translation. Each reading is done by a different person and there is a period of silent reflection after each of them. 

While there are varying approaches, the typical cycle includes:

• preparing (selecting the Scripture to read),

• reading (don’t be afraid to read aloud to yourself, two or three times over),

• reflecting (think about what you are hearing or learning from the passage), and

• responding (thinking about what this Scripture is urging you to do or understand, maybe even journal about it).

However you engage this practice, remember that at its heart is a slowing down and being present to the Holy. With that in mind, you really can’t do it wrong.

Join us Thursday 7/24 @ 10 a.m. at Lindewald Park (750 Park St.) for Chanting.

Chanting is magical way on settling into contemplation because it engages the whole being on multiple levels. On a musical level, you are singing a repetitive verse that engages both listening and carrying a tune. Singing (or humming) also stimulates the vagus nerve, the center of the parasympathetic nervous system (which you may know/remember helps us to relax).

Chants are most effective when they’ve been repeated so many times they require no effort to continue. They can be a refrain from a favorite song or hymn, or something you learn explicitly for contemplation. Taizé community chants are often used for this practice.

One of Mother Michelle’s favorite chanting practices is taking the refrain “Be still and know that I am God” and singing it through multiple times. Each time she drops a portion so that by the end she’s singing simply “be” and then she rests in the quiet. It would look something like this.

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am.

Be still and know.

Be still.

Be.

John Gouwens will offer a simple chanting workshop after church on the Sunday before this practice is to be featured. You are welcome to use his examples or any others that you find. Chanting DOES involve singing out loud so be sure you select a space where you are comfortable doing that.

Mother Michelle learned the “Streams of Love” Quaker chant during her contemplative program. It can be found via an internet search and the artist is Paulette Meier.

Join us Thursday 7/31 @ 10 a.m. at Red Mill County Park (0185 S Holmesville Rd.) for Musical Contemplation.

Musical Contemplation - Many people first practice contemplation using music as a tool to help them settle into a more tranquil space. The music selected can be instrumental (eliminating the potential distraction of words), something with repetitive lyrics (like chanting), or anything that brings you into a settled state. You might pre-select a few of your favorite songs and have them in a playlist. You might consider starting with livelier music and transitioning into slower songs. It’s all about what brings you to a place of being centered and present.

The main difference between musical contemplation and chanting is that you are not (necessarily) singing in this practice. You can if you want, but you can also select beautiful instrumental music that simply transports you into the very presence of God. It’s all in your hands.

Join us Thursday 8/7 @ 10 a.m. at Bluhm County Park (3855 S 1100 W Westville IN) for Photography.

Photography has become the dominant form of recording the world.  An actual camera isn't even needed anymore as we are all carrying them around with us in the form of a phone. Photographing nature is something that takes patience and creativity. It's not just photographing an event, but a way to make art that we might want to keep and study. It's a way to use the ability we have to bring something special home with us, to look at and ponder anytime we want.

For example, a tree has many parts, to which God gave each a purpose. Find a place where you can quietly look at nature, taking photos along the way. Find an object to photograph and take pictures from different angles and perspectives. You might stand directly under the tree and take a photo toward the heavens or stand at a distance to photograph the entire tree. You might be so close to the tree that you photograph the trunk up close, maybe even modifying the settings and filters on the pictures you take. The goal is to be present, spend time with the Holy, and look at things you’ve seen many times with a fresh, photographic eye. Let's take photos in a way that might make us want to hang it on a wall, and not just record what it looks like.

Join us Thursday 8/14 @ 10 a.m. at Larson-Danielson Park (1500 Central Ave.) for Five Senses.

Five Senses - Mother Michelle first experienced Five Senses contemplation in a small garden on the Holy Island of Iona in Scotland, looking out over the Abbey at Iona in the wee hours of the morning. The practice was beautiful and simple. It begins either seated or standing, even pacing gently if you prefer, with several long deep inhalations and exhalations. There is a taking in of the air and scenery around you in quiet deep breathing at its beginning.

And then, perhaps keeping track with the fingers on one of your hands, you begin cycling slowly through your senses while maintaining slow deep breathing. First, breathing in and out, what is one thing that you see that brings you more fully into God’s presence. Continuing the process, what is one thing that you hear, one thing that you touch, one thing that you smell, one thing that you taste (or imagine tasting), and if you want to push into your 6th sense - one thing that you simply sense about you. Take your time as you go through the senses. Cycle through them more than once, as you prefer. Be sure to end with a few deep cleansing breaths and a “thank you” to God for his love, his creation.

Join us Thursday 8/21 @ 10 a.m. at the Library Wifi Garden (904 Indiana Ave.) for Visio Divina.

Visio Divina simply captivated Mother Michelle the first time. It is not a practice as easily done as some others because it requires finding a Holy “photo” and then having someone provide an explanation of the scene. It begins in a comfortable position with some deep breaths followed by a period of viewing and inspecting a Holy scene. Often these are icons or other Holy paintings. After a predetermined amount of time, and often with others who might be viewing the same sacred image, you can think about what you are seeing in the image. After a period of thought (and conversation, if you are with others), an explanation of the image is provided, followed by another period of quiet contemplation.

Mother Michelle was fascinated at the difference between the first and second contemplation times. First, the wondering and interrogating was fascinating. Second, the knowledge of some of the image components was thrilling. Again, you can’t do this wrong. An image will be provided to you.

Join us Thursday 8/28 @ 10 a.m. at Foundation Square (803 Michigan Ave.) for Breath Prayer.

Breath prayer is breathing combined with a phrase or verse. With the inhale you mentally recite the first part of the phrase and with the exhale you mentally recite the second part. Breath prayer can be done anywhere for a simple reset of the day or via repeating the process many times in one setting.

Examples of breath prayer are limitless and may include:

INHALE – I must believe in God’s word
EXHALE – Even in the dark

INHALE - The Spirit of God has made me
EXHALE - The breath of the Almighty gives me life Job 3:4

INHALE – In all things
EXHALE – Be my life and breath

INHALE – Be still and know
EXHALE – That I am God

* Taken from InsGifts – 30 Breath Cards for Faithful Meditation