RAFA

Do you find yourself giving and giving to others, and need a space to simply be and receive from the Divine? For those of us in helping professions, it can be hard to find places to be nourished and renewed when we’re often the ones trying to inspire and encourage others.

We all need places where we can be restored. We all need encouragement to slow down, be still, and simply be in the Loving Presence. We all need places and experiences of what in Hebrew is called rafa.

Interestingly, rafa is the sound of two different Hebrew verbs. One means “to heal” or “to make whole,” such as in Psalm 147:3 that reminds us the Beloved “heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” But the other Hebrew verb means “to relax, sink down, be quiet, let go, be still,” such as in Psalm 46:10: “Be still, let go, and know that I am God.”

If you are seeking rafa -wholeness and quietness, healing and stillness – join us on November 6 for a gathering of Contemplative Worship and Community at The Center for Christian Spirituality. For about 45 minutes, we will co-create a space that helps you experience yourself in God and God in you. Through simple, meditative songs and short reflective readings and extended silence, we’ll quiet ourselves in body, mind and heart that we might be more open and receptive to the Beloved’s life-giving, healing words for us. We will also experience a contemplative eucharist together.

Then afterwards, for all who are able, we will gather in The Anchor House (The Center’s Retreat House next door to Chapelwood UMC) for a gastrochurch experience. This will be a time of intentional conversation around a free shared 2-course meal. You will have the opportunity to share with your small table what you experienced in the service and what you are holding in your heart as you leave that night.

While anyone in a helping profession might find this experience restorative and inspiring, this experience is especially for ministers, counselors, therapists, spiritual directors, and anyone who finds it difficult to experience Contemplative Worship on Sundays because of their job responsibilities.

This event is free but donations are welcome for those interested in giving.

To learn more information about The Center for Christian Spirituality, please visit their website www.thecenterfcs.org

To learn more information about gastrochurch, please visit their website www.gastrochurch.org

If you have questions, concerns or problems with registration, please contact Haley Brown at hbrown@chapelwood.org or by phone (281)797-6754.