The Ministry Lab curates upcoming opportunities for in-person and online worship, music, retreat, and contemplative practices. Join people around the corner and around the globe in grounding, deepening, and broadening your experience of the Divine.
For recurring group practices, see our Contemplative Prayer Online & In-person Group Opportunities curated list.
PRAYER, RETREAT, & WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
JOIN COMMUNITIES AROUND THE CORNER AND AROUND THE WORLD – IN-PERSON AND ONLINE:
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MINDFUL MILLENNIALS – WISDOM WAYS
MNIPL and partner MN MultiFaith Network join Wisdom Ways for a 4-session course by Danielle Clausnitzer PhD, on mindfulness practices for adults ages 21-to 35. Sessions explore energy practices, creative activities, and more.
Open to all spiritualities and those with no spiritual practice.
$5/session; $15/series
Learn more and register here.
Tuesdays: August 15 – November 21, 2023; 6:00-7:30 PM ONLINE
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A 4TH WAY PRESENCE AND PRACTICE GROUP
4th Way Presence and Practice Groups were developed by the Sojourners Institute as part of their Spiritual Guidance and Spiritual Growth offerings. They are small group gatherings for people interested in deepening spiritual awareness and practice.
This group will meet monthly for six months, in a private home in south Minneapolis. The experience includes readings, presentations, discussions, and practices which integrate body, heart, and mind. We explore Gurdjieff’s 4th Way teaching, the Enneagram, and 3‐Centered Awareness.
Learn more here – or for more information or to register: 612.723.7080 or Scott@SojournersInstitute.com or www.sojournersInstitute.com.
Second Fridays, beginning in September
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WILD WANDERING: ENCOUNTERING THE DIVINE IN NATURE
Alison Hendley, spiritual director and nature guide and Jamie Deering, Director of Programs Ministry with the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, will lead this experience. Join them for a time of community gathering, solo wandering, and reflecting. This offers an opportunity to connect with the divine in nature, listen within and share with others. Come at 5:00 with a box dinner if you’d like to eat together beforehand.
Children 9 and older are welcome.
Everyone Welcome – Handicap Accessible – Free Event
Pre-registration is not required.
Donations are welcome.
Rockville County Park – Covered Picnic Shelter
11503 Glacier Road, St Cloud, MN 56301
For more information call: 320.217.2108 or email: whinfo@fslf.org
September 26, 2023; 5:30-7:30 PM
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THE WALKING SPACE: QUEER WALK
The Walking Space Queer Walk is a safe, inclusive space designed to inspire and connect participants in a nature-drenched, adventure-driven weekend. Here, our shared queerness acts as a connecting point to deep relationships and transformative experiences. The trail we use in Southeastern Minnesota is called the Root River Trail. It is entirely paved and mostly flat, making it accessible to most people of varying ability, as we plan to walk 4-7 miles each day.
Limited to 10 participants
$250/person; please select to sleep in the bus or tent when registering. The bus is open to the first 6 registrants
LEARN MORE & REGISTER by September 22
September 29 – October 1, 2023
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RESILIENCE: PRACTICING COMPASSION IN A WORLD OF CONFLICT
Join Upper Room for an exploration of the transformative power of compassion in a world marked by division.
The virtual event will include storytelling, time for personal reflection and conversation, guided spiritual practice, and worship and will equip participants with wisdom and tools for cultivating relationships that endure even in the face of profound disagreement and division.
Learn more here.
Register here.
September 29-30, 2023
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SAND, SYMBOL, AND SOURCE: DEVELOPING YOUR INNER KNOWING
What does it mean to listen and explore your present experience as the doorway of the Divine?
In this retreat you may bring a question or challenge, an exploration of your life purpose or a significant transition. Or you may bring your curiosity and openness to discovering who and what you are.
This retreat is designed to provide support and guidance as you deepen your ability for inner sensing and knowing. Through the imaginative method of playing with sand and symbol, you can enter into a practice that calls forth the ‘yet to be known’.
Learn more and register here.
September 29-30, 2023; Benedictine Center / St Paul Monastery
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GRACEFUL CONVERSATIONS: WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES
Life is a spiritual journey.
- How do we stay rooted in love (for self and others) in our relationships, in our conversations?
- How and where do we find common ground?
- How do we move toward acceptance, care and even reconciliation?
These are questions to be explored as participants discover ways to remain rooted in compassion and care for self and others in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Includes 2 optional bonus sessions to practice with the group what you learn.
Jamie Deering, contemplative and spiritual director, and Michelle L’Allier, OSF, retreat leader, will lead this in creating a safe space to explore and learn with one another.
Investment: $40 / scholarships available
To learn more, call: 320.632.0680 OR email: fpminfo@fslf.org
Welcoming House / 1600 – 11th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301
Tuesdays, October 10, 17, 24 & November 7, 2023; 6:00-8:00 PM CT
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ON THE CAMINO: A PILGRIMAGE TO REMEMBER, RELEASE, AND REIMAGINE
For centuries pilgrims have walked the Way of St James – the Camino de Santiago – for spiritual deepening, healing, and inspiration. Walking the well-trodden path parallels the inner journey pilgrims make. Shalem Institute invites pilgrims to walk the Portuguese Way, one branch of the Camino. Fellow seekers have made this pilgrimage for many different reasons and at different stages in life.
Join leaders Jackson Droney and Bryan Berghoef who invite you to remember your intentions, release whatever you feel called to let go, and reimagine the rhythm of your life in light of this experience.
Free info session (zoom) Saturday, October 7, 11:00 AM CT
Register for the info session here.
Find the pilgrimage itinerary, learn more, and register here.
July 17-26, 2024
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WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN… THE BOOK OF JOB FOR TROUBLED TIMES
Participants in this retreat will courageously ask, ‘What do I do with my pain?’ and ‘Where is God in suffering?’
With the story of Job as guide, gently and honestly reflect on meaning-making of life in light of a God of love and compassion. Job’s story is our story. His soulful search for answers cuts right through superficial platitudes and cliches. It speaks to our hearts, and it helps guide us on a path toward real hope.
Through quiet reflection, contemplative prayer practices, engaging talks, and small group discussion, discover how the God of life and love is present to each one of us, especially in times of struggle.
Learn more and register here.
October 13-14, 2023 – Benedictine Center / St Paul Monastery
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CONVERGENCE MUSIC PROJECT’S – CONVERGING 2023
A gathering of musicians, pastors, worship leaders, and anyone interested in justice-building, inclusive and progressive music and worship – for three days of powerful talks, inspiring music, provocative workshops, and community-building.
Featuring keynotes from Brian McLaren, Diana Butler Bass, and more.
Explore… What vital and transforming worship might mean from a progressive or ‘convergence’ perspective, what role music can play in worship, spiritual formation, and social transformation.
Learn… About new musical resources and discover how your local congregation can begin to create new music, art, and liturgy in your own local contexts.
Share… Ideas and best practices, soulful worship, and the blessings of being in community, networking, and encouraging each other.
Experience… Keynote addresses, opportunities for songwriters and composers to share their material, and opportunities to create new music and liturgy together.
Learn more and register here.
October 18-21, 2023
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HOWARD THURMAN: THE WRITING OF JESUS AND THE DISINHERITED
Shalem retreat leader Lerita Coleman Brown has created this retreat day to explore Howard Thurman’s life and contemplative witness and what it might mean for us in today’s challenging world.
Lerita Coleman Brown, PhD’s new book, What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman (Broadleaf) is an excellent companion to this online retreat.
Can be taken on your own schedule. Group discounts available.
Registration Deadline: October 25th, 2023
Once registered, access the Retreat Day any time until November 8, 2023
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BENEDICTINE CARE WELLNESS PROGRAM
Benedictine CARE integrates Contemplative Practices, the Benedictine Monastic Heritage, and Therapeutic Lifestyle Programming.
Old habits, choices we no longer want to make, over indulgences, and living within a loud culture all amplify internal static that makes it almost impossible to hear, to listen, to our embodied true selves.
Monthly gatherings are enrolling at all times for both in-person and online participation.
$89/month
Learn more and register here.
Community Opportunities
As introspection, prayer, and worship lead to a desire for justice and active love, find opportunities to engage with neighbors, law-makers, and others on our Community Opportunities page.
REGULAR OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Join our Midweek Retreat for a weekly guided practice. Learn more and register here.
Find recurring retreats and contemplative seminars in our Leader Renewal lib guide.
Find regional Online and In-Person Group Opportunities for contemplative prayer and worship in our lib guide.
