Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. Centering Prayer adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active kinds of prayer into a receptive prayer of resting in God.
1st Saturday Workshop: November 8, 2025, Christ Church Cathedral, 9:00 am
The Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop familiarizes participants with the method of Centering Prayer and its conceptual background and offers two opportunities to experience the prayer. The workshop consists of four presentations led by Contemplative Outreach commissioned presenters:
- Prayer as Relationship
- The Method of Centering Prayer
- Thoughts and the Use of the Sacred Word
- Deepening our Relationship with God
The Four Continuing Sessions
Participants are invited to attend four Continuing Sessions which provide support, teaching and the time needed to establish a personal Centering Prayer Practice. The Sessions also include the opportunity to share the initial Centering Prayer experience with others who have made a similar commitment.
Continuing Sessions are led by an experienced facilitator and includes a period of Centering Prayer and group discussion.
Details regarding the following Continuing Sessions will be offered by the Workshop Presenter.
Introduction to Centering Prayer Program Cost: $225 - This includes the workshop [Refreshments & lunch will be provided], continuing sessions and a paperback copy of Open Mind, Open Heart by Thomas Keating. Full scholarships are available.
Gene is a parishioner at Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver and has practiced Centering Prayer for more than 20 years. He has been commissioned by Contemplative Outreach as a Centering Prayer presenter and has led many workshops and retreats on spiritual practices in contemplative Christianity. Prior to returning to Christianity, Gene practiced in other spiritual traditions and received lay ordination in Zen Buddhism. He has a PhD in Mental Health Law and is committed to balancing contemplative practice with action in social justice programs for disadvantaged members of the community.
Katherine Murray is a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She is passionate about intimacy with God, contemplative life, and participating in actions that work towards peace and justice in our world. Katherine is a spiritual director and an experienced retreat and group leader on adult spiritual formation and spiritual practices. She is a Contemplative Outreach commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer. Katherine is on the steering committee for Peace Train Canada and her advocacy work has taken her to the federal government in Ottawa and to the United Nations. Katherin deeply values the wisdom found in other faith traditions and is the co-host of the multi-faith podcast In Common with Dr. Allyson Jule coming in Fall 2025 through the Peace and Reconciliation Centre of the University of the Fraser Valley.
About
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St. Thomas Anglican Church