The Contemplative Journey

United in Prayer

March 2020 Contemplative Outreach Western Cape - Quarterly Newsletter Contemplative Outreach (SA) is affiliated to Contemplative Outreach

(USA) and teaches Centering Prayer; a prayer which involves silently resting and waiting upon God in the stillness of our being.

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions …. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. - 1 Corinthians 1: 10 (NLT)

Image courtesy of Ron Barnett

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Dear Fellow Contemplatives I trust that you are all well, and have settled into your daily routines after all the joys and challenges that Christmas and the New Year present us with. As I write to you I am surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Swartvlei lagoon in Sedgefield!

As you will learn as you read through this newsletter, the focus of our next Morning of Enrichment is ‘United in Prayer’. On the 21st of March, contemplatives all over the world who are affiliated to Contemplative Outreach will be particularly aware that we are all United in Prayer. At our last Morning of Enrichment, Penny Joy Day expanded on a theme which Cynthia Bourgeault had touched on at the last Wisdom School which Penny Joy had facilitated with Cynthia.

We pray alone and we pray together We work alone and we work together

In our practice of Centering Prayer, we pray daily on our own, in our own Inner Room, in the knowledge that we are part of a larger organism, where there are many others praying on their own, in their own Inner Rooms. Once a week or once a month, we gather in small groups and go into our Inner Rooms, together. Once a quarter, we gather at our Mornings of Enrichment, where we go into our Inner Rooms, together. And on this particular day where we are United in Prayer, we are especially conscious of gathering with our like-minded pilgrims all over the world, where we all go into our Inner Rooms, together. Isn’t that such a wonderful thought!

Later on in this newsletter you will read how, even if you are physically isolated in a space where you are not directly in touch with fellow pilgrims, or if your lifestyle or sleeping habits preclude meeting weekly or monthly with like-minded travellers, you can do so by joining a virtual group on the Internet. And this is not just for the young and technically savvy, this is for each and every one of us!

In this newsletter you will also find an interesting article from the CO group in Stellenbosch. It gives a lovely insight into how other groups operate and combine different exercises with their Centering Prayer. If you are a member of a group, and have something to share with us, please don’t hesitate to jot it down and send it to me so that others may also be enriched. And photos are always welcome!

From the editor’s desk

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We were saddened to hear that Thelma Petersen has passed away. You will find a tribute to her in the newsletter. In today’s world we tend to move from place to place, and lose touch with people we were connected with, especially in our small centering groups. It is sometimes distressing to hear long after the event that an old fellow pilgrim is no longer on earth with us. Please let me know if you become aware of such news that others in the wider COSA(WC) family would possibly appreciate knowing.

In this longer-than-usual editorial, I would like to raise and issue that was discussed at our last Steering Committee meeting, the issue of donations towards our living and growing organism that is Contemplative Outreach in the Western Cape. When registering at each of our Mornings of Enrichment we are asked to make a donation of any amount, with R70 being the guideline, for the morning’s event. This donation covers the cost of the hire of the hall, the tea, coffee and delicious eats which we are served, and the gift that is made to our guest speaker as a sign of appreciation. There are a number of costs, some on an ongoing basis, and some which are ‘one-off’, which are incurred in maintaining and expanding this wonderful blessing that is Contemplative Outreach. These costs could include printing and postage costs for those without the internet, travelling to areas in the Western Cape where there is a need and desire to introduce Centering Prayer, the hiring of venues in which to conduct such workshops. We must also cover the costs of the construction of suitable facilities at St Stephen’s for housing our extensive and expanding library and book stall. Each one of us is asked, according to his or her means, to make a contribution towards these costs. Again, the guideline is R70 per year. If you are not able to afford this, please do not stress! No one would like to see anyone not be part of our network on account of finances. If you are able to make a donation, whether it be the guideline amount, or more, or less, please make this donation, either at the next Morning of Enrichment, or by making a deposit into Contemplative Outreach’s Nedbank account, the details of which you will find on page 20 of the newsletter. PLEASE include your surname and initials in the space for the information on the Nedbank account which you are crediting - it helps us enormously with the book-keeping!

The plans for the National Conference at which Cynthia Bourgeault will be unpacking Thomas Keating’s final vision of Oneness are going full steam ahead. At the time of writing this editorial, all accommodation and all day visitor openings are fully subscribed, with the exception of two beds in the men’s and one bed in the women’s dormitory accommodation. The AGM of COSA will be taking place at National Conference, and a new National chairperson will be elected. Please pray that we will be guided by the Holy Spirit.

And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore!

With love and blessings, Alain.

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This workshop was in the planning stages for more than 6 months, but it was well worth the wait!

Janie Potgieter and Barbara Harris presented the workshop in a clear and easily understood manner which was both interactive and intimate, as we were a small group of only four ladies and one man. Two of us were complete beginners, the other two had been exposed to Centering Prayer last year and were very keen to delve deeper into this spiritual

discipline. For myself personally, I have been practicing Centering Prayer daily for the past two years, but had never had any basic training on the prayer method apart from a very quick “beginners guide” at my first Morning of Enrichment in 2017.

We all enjoyed it thoroughly, finding the explanation of the prayer method clear and enlightening, and the DVD material was deep and very thought-provoking. We all attempted the two Centering Prayer sessions, with differing reactions from each person as we discussed it afterwards. Some members found the 20 minutes extremely long, and others found it was over before they felt they settled into it and quietened their minds.

However, each one of us was keen to meet weekly for six follow up Centering Prayer sessions, a DVD and a discussion. We also all committed to attempt Centering Prayer on a daily basis in our own quiet times, despite it needing a commitment and self-discipline to fit it into our already busy schedules.

For me personally, I learnt a lot from the teaching, despite being regular in my centering prayer practice. It was also a great refresher course which convicted me to up my centering prayer practice from once to twice a day.

We have had our first group meeting and everyone shared their personal experiences of centering prayer during the past week. We also had good discussion around the DVD and today’s centering prayer session. We are all looking forward to the follow up meetings. Penny Craig

Voices of the community

Centering Prayer workshop at Southside Church,

Fish Hoek on 25 January 2020

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`n Oggend van Verposing - Stellenbosch

Hoog in die Stellenbosse berg het tien van ons op Saterdagoggend 16 November, saamgekom op uitnodiging van een van ons lede, Corrie de Vos. Sy woon in `n ko-thuis wat teen aan die berg onder groot lowerryke bome staan. Mens ry op en op

en op, en nes jy dink jy is verdwaal, kom jy by die sprokiesmooi plek aan. Ons het begin met Lectio Divina uit Psalm 100. Treffend was die gedagte uit Psalms for Praying: “We are born to be loving.” Na `n sessie van sentreergebed het elkeen in stilte in die natuur gaan stap met as begeleiding ‘n paar vrae, Leidrade vir Nadenke en Refleksie in die Tuin.

Een van ons lede skryf, “My binnestetuin is vasgevang in Stilwees. Ek geniet die vreedsame Stil, geen weerstand of vrees net Rus en vreugdevolle Oorgawe.” Ons eet saam aan die mooiste bakke somerkos. Deur die vensters hoor ons die voëls, sien ons die blou-grys berge, gekoester deur groen blare van hoë bome. Ons is diep dankbaar en voel voorwaar geseënd hier op Stellenbosch. Elzan Frank

I lift up my eyes to the mountains from whence shall come my help? My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

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Morning of Enrichment - Ora et Labora - 23rd November 2019

Saturday the 23rd November 2019 saw a large number of our fellow pilgrims on the silent journey congregate at St Stephen’s church hall in Pinelands for our quarterly Morning of Enrichment. What a lovely buzz there was before the meeting started at 9:00. Old friends catching up with news, and new members being introduced. The centre piece had been lovingly created by Jeanie Hareb and her team. Some people thought that some cleaning equipment had been left at the centre piece by mistake,

and quietly started to remove them, only to realise that the theme for the morning’s presentation by Penny Joy Day was Ora et Labora - To Work and to Pray!

Janie soon settled everyone down and wel-comed all of us to the MoE. Soon we were led into our first period of centering prayer. What a blessing it is to be so many in silence together!

Jacqueline-Ann then led us in her own inimita-ble way in Lectio Divina. Her choice, St Paul’s letter to the Colossians 3: 22-24, was perfect for the theme of the day: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”

“Make it your ambition to live a quiet life, to mind your own busi-ness, and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependant on any-body.”

1 Thes 4:11,12

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Time was then set aside for the extremely important, valuable and necessary issues of tea, coffee, cakes, cookies, sandwiches, book table, library, catching up with old friends, making new friends, networking, laughter, concern, sympathy and empathy. These images are proof of this (if proof is necessary!)

Hospitality angels. Tea, coffee, sugar with a smile?

Friends

Happiness!

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After we had finished our tea and selected our books, Janie got us all settled down, and we were treated to a DVD recording of Fr Carl Arico. He expanded on the Fourth

Guideline for Centering Prayer -

At the end of the prayer, open your eyes and come back to the world of the material, slowly and gently. Finally, say a closing prayer of thanksgiving. If you are in a group, then this is said together. Remain quiet for a minute or two longer. If in a group, remain for a little while before joining in the sharing of ideas

and impressions.

He stressed how important it was that we savour the moments after our period of Centering Prayer. We shouldn’t jump up after our prayer and attend to the next item on our agenda for the day, but rather to linger and remain with our reservoir full, to savour that, and then go into the world in the present moment. He shared with us how he enjoyed the act of painting a piece of wood, how the paint is transferred from the tin to the brush, and then from the brush to the wood. A simple process, but one which could, and should, be enjoyed. He had us all laughing when he said that we should use opportunities that present themselves for prayer. An example he sited was when waiting at an airport to board an aeroplane, and being informed that there would be a delay due to a technical hitch. We should not be impatient. Would we rather hear that

announcement before boarding, or when cruising at altitude!

He said that he had lived a long life, and that he found the words of the Frank Sinatra’s

to be inspirational, with a little twist at the end of the line that we know so well:

And now the end is near, and so I face the final curtain My friend, I’ll say it clear, I’ll state my case of which I’m certain I’ve lived a life that’s full, I travelled each and every highway, And more, much more than this, I did it His way.

Thankyou, Fr Arico! Epitaph of a Contemplative

I did it His Way

Maybe this one, or perhaps that one. Mmmm Which one would you suggest?

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Penny Joy Day - Ora et Labora

Janie was then very happy to welcome Penny Joy Day to those gathered. Penny Joy, Janie informed us, has been a Christ-follower for most of her life, has been a long-standing member of Contemplative Outreach, and is a narrative therapist with her own practice. She is also a retreat leader and an enneagram teacher, and has facilitated the visits to Cape Town of Richard Rohr and Cynthia Bourgeault on two occasions. Janie described her as a

pillar of strength to us.

Penny Joy started by saying that she felt as if she was among friends, and appreciated the sense of community which she felt.

Centering Prayer has played a great role in her life, and she was really happy to be here. She invited her friend Jane to lead us in a chant, “Abide in my love”, after which she spoke to all of us. When she was first asked what she was going to talk about, she had said that she was still in conversation with God about that! She then remembered a conversation that she had had with Christine Terry, talking about work. That put her in mind of what Cynthia Bourgeault had said at the last Wisdom School that Cynthia had spoken at in

Cape Town:

We pray alone and we pray together We work alone and we work together

The question she brought to us was what does work mean to us in this season of our lives. Thomas Keating himself had entered the monastic life at an early age, and in the monastic life there is a rhythm to life, a rhythm of work and prayer that was drawn up by St Benedict. The

monks pray together seven times a day as a community, and they work together as a community.

A question that we should ask ourselves at the end of each day is: “Have I rested? Have I worked? Have I studied? Have I prayed? And have I been present to God in all these things?” Her audience, she was sure, were already in the rhythm of praying alone and praying together, but what about working? Penny Joy shared a quote from a German poet Rainer Maria Rilke: “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart, and try to love the questions themselves. Don’t search for the answers which could not be given to you now because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” The question, Penny Joy asks, is, “What does work alone look like?” She used a quotation from Isaiah to bring home to us that we are the work of God’s hands! And in the Gospel of Matthew we are assured by Jesus that God continues to work, and continues to work in us. In Thessalonians we are encouraged to work with our hands. In our stage of life this can be knitting, the baking of rusks, the carrying of water, the chopping of wood. Kahlil Gibran said it beautifully, and elevates the

preciousness of such simple tasks when he said, “Work is love made visible”.

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are the potter;

and we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

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The next logical question is – what does work together look like? Penny Joy pointed out that the word liturgy comes from the Greek Leitos and Ergos, which means ‘the work of the people’. She said that when she arrived in Pinelands that morning, the welcoming committee was there, the library and book table had been set up, cups and saucers were being laid out, a beautiful centre-piece had been created, Tony and Johan were setting up the communications – everyone working together. She gave an example from her own life situation where her husband, who is an artist, works in his studio in the house, Penny herself has her work that she does, and a friend, a therapist, works from a cottage on the property. They each have their own work, but they work together. If someone is needed, the other is always there.

Penny Joy then invited us to form small groups and to discuss what working together looks like to us. After ten minutes of intensive, collective discussion, Penny Joy brought us all back together. She remarked how lovely it was to see us all working together. She shared another quotation from Kahlil Gibran. “You work that you may keep pace with the earth, and the soul of the earth, for to be idle is to become a stranger unto

the seasons, and to step out of life’s procession that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite.” Beautiful!

And on the day that she was putting her presentation together, Richard Rohr said in his daily meditation, “I have always had excellent partners in my life and ministry, but something in the last few years has started to emerge that encourages me deeply. I am now surrounded by teachers and staff who are building a humble, inclusive, non-imperial Christianity in service to the healing of our world.” Here again, the invitation to work together!

So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His

work that he had done in creation. Gen 2:3

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is

working until now, and I am working”. John 5:17

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Penny Joy ended with a video of The Two Cellists. Two young cellists who had competed with each other, and then decided to collaborate. They played the Benedictus from ‘The Mass of Peace’ by Karl Jenkins. Penny Joy encouraged us to listen to this with new ears. To appreciate that these two, working together, created a work of love made visible, of the absolute presence, not only to themselves and to their instruments and each other, but to the orchestra and the conductor. The music left us

spell-bound and enriched, just as did Penny Joy. Thank you, Penny Joy.

And so our Morning of Enrichment came to an end. Janie thanked everyone who had played a part in making our time together so enriching, and we all left with happy

memories, and much to think about.

The online community of Centering Prayer

The first time that someone mentioned to me that I could join an online community of Centering Prayer by entering a “chapel”, I thought they meant that there was a real chapel with a video camera and people sitting around in it!

Well, to my surprise it was far better than that! On my computer screen I could see all the participants in the group, each one in a small video screen sitting in front of their computers at home. And I could talk to all of them at the same time or individually!

So what is MeditationChapel.org? It is an online community of people from different faiths and denominations, coming together to pray and share. The sessions, which are an hour long starts off with a prayer and reading, followed by a 25 minute period of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina and after that, ‘sacred sharing’ for about half an hour where the participants can share and discuss the readings. Some sessions follow the format of the Worldwide Community Christian Meditators (WCCM). You can join any group, as and when it suits you. You don’t have to stay for the full hour – you can leave after the 25 minutes of centering prayer. There is an online diary with scheduled group sessions and the timing is given in SA time.

To join a session you would need a PC, laptop or smart phone with a microphone and camera, which is usually built-in. If you have an older desktop computer you can buy an external microphone and a little camera (so other people can see and hear you) and connect it to your computer. Or you can use your smartphone which has a microphone and camera. It is recommended that you use earphones, as the sound is sometimes better than sound from your laptop speakers.

Show your servants the deeds you do, let their children enjoy your splendour!

May the sweetness of the Lord be upon us, to cofirm the work we have done. Ps 90:16-17

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If you are using a smart phone or tablet, you need to install the Zoom software. You can find Zoom in your app store. If you are using a PC, Zoom will be installed into your browser the first time you enter a chapel. Zoom is the video conferencing system used in the “chapels”.

Instructions as to how to join a group, as well as background information about the online community can be found by using this link: https://meditationchapel.org/ I entered my first session in October last year, and I must say it was the best thing that could have happened in my spiritual life since I started practicing Centering Prayer about 20 years ago!

What a blessing it is to be able to pray daily and share with people from across the globe! I have met people from Brazil, the UK, from different states in America, Canada, and Nigeria and we have become friends – able to share in our spiritual journeys in a safe environment. It is an enriching experience for me which I will not want to miss for anything.

Hope to see many of you joining soon Johan du Toit

(You will find links to the ‘Chapels’ on page 19, ed)

Johan ‘online’ with eight fellow pilgrims.

Francine Lombard was the first member of CO to tell me (ed) about Centering Prayer and on-line chapels. She shares this with us:

Rumi, the Persian poet and philosopher, puts it so beautifully … ‘Keep knocking, and the joy inside, will eventually open a window and look out to see who’s there’ … and that is how I encounter practicing Centering Prayer in my daily life … an ongoing process of trying to give my all with each ‘knock’ with the knowing that with diligence and determination more windows will open after each practice. The Interfaith On-line Meditation Community, for me, is an extension of that joy I experience on my contemplative journey. These chapels, especially the Thomas Keating chapel, are an indescribable joy that filters through my heart every time I enter them … connecting with other contemplative souls all over the world. Again the process of ‘keep knocking’ comes to the fore as the sessions that speak to my heart, are at four in the morning South African time (as winter approaches the clock is moving backwards to 3am!) But as our Father Keating teaches us every day, persevere and just get on with it.

So, whether we sit in the on-line meditation chapels, or in our Centering Prayer groups, or on our own, the heart of the matter is that we are all UNITED IN PRAYER

and that is the biggest Joy of it all!

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Please note that all the available single and double accommodation, and day-visitor bookings for this event are fully booked. There are still some beds available in the ‘dormitory’ option.

Please contact Linda Nicolson at linda.nicolson@gmail.com for information.

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Calendar for 2020

Mar 21 United in Prayer (Global) (Morning of Enrichment), St Stephen’s Apr 29 - May 3: National Conference 2020, CBC, Stellenbosch May 23 Day of Resting in God, CBC, Stellenbosch Jun 13 Morning of Enrichment (AGM), St Stephen’s Jul 11 Day of Resting in God, CBC, Stellenbosch Aug 15 Facilitators meeting, St Michaels Sep 5 Morning of Enrichment, St Stephen’s Rev Berry Behr, Chairperson, Cape Town Interfaith Initiative Oct 5-11 Heartfulness Retreat, CBC, Stellenbosch* Nov 28 Morning of Enrichment, St Stephen’s * Please note that the Heartfulness Retreat will cater for both residential and day visitors, so please keep this in mind when planning your year!

Planning your spiritual path

Sacred Chanting

Sacred chanting is one of the most essential elements of worship. Short songs, re-peated again and again, give it a meditative character. Using just a few words they express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being. Sacred chanting thus becomes a way of listening to God. It allows everyone to take part in a time of prayer together and to remain together in attentive waiting on God, without having to

fix the length of time too exactly.

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CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH (SA) WESTERN CAPE

Invites you to a

Morning of Enrichment, United in Prayer

The annual day of prayer is devoted to whole-making in ourselves, our relationships and our world.

Saturday 21st March 2020

09h00 -13h00

08h30 onwards - registration, book sales and borrowing from library

St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Pinelands

“Healing Divisions” There is neither Jew nor Gentile,

neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female,

for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28 (NIV)

Newcomers to Centering Prayer are welcome

Tea and Coffee will be provided

Registration: R70 or a donation

Lift co-ordinator to our Mornings of Enrichment: Mary-Ann Potts at 021 783 0616 or 072 904 0606 - email: mapotts@telkomsa.net

For more information please contact Janie Potgieter at 082 955 4224 or janie@telkomsa.net

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Nourishment for the Journey

Book Review : WALKING IN WONDER, by John O’Donohue This book is a treasure chest of the most inspiring, enlightening and uplifting writings of a

much loved Celtic writer. John O Donohue was born in County Clare Ireland the eldest

of 4 children. He studied English literature, Philosophy and Theology. A well loved poet,

philosopher and writer, he led many pilgrimages and was in demand as a speaker and

retreat master. He died suddenly of a heart attack in January2009, at the early age of

53. He is described as the embodiment of life, the source of joy, insight and laughter. A

great loss to the spiritual world but his legacy of writings lives on and gains in popularity.

In this book John is talking to his friend John Quinn about various subjects such as Landscape, Balance, Absence (If I am here; where am I absent from?) Ageing and Death and others. So you can select any of the subjects as the book does not run in any sequence. It is sprinkled with his blessings and his poetry and many wise reflections on ageing which he never really reached . Wonder, imagination and possibility are John’s great concerns and he writes about these in his lyrical way and in the rich flow of his Irish language. One of the questions that intrigued me and which John often liked to ask is “When was your last great conversation with someone?” He goes on to say “The moment when two questioning minds and hearts meet in really great conversation a portal opens into immensely exciting possibilities” John has many lovely blessings in this book how I wish I had space to include them in this review, but that is the joy and inspiration that await you! I do hope I have said enough to whet your appetite about this book which I can honestly say has become my second Bible. This is a book you will never regret owning. I close with one short sentence taken from the chapter entitled Ageing: “There is within you the presence, in a refined sense, of everything that has ever happened to you and if you go looking for it you will find it. Memory is a particularly intimate and sacramental phenomenon and there is a great depth and density in everyone.” Janet Perrott

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From the Book Table Elizabeth Nel St Catherine of Siena – The Dialogue of St Catherine of Siena A conversation with God on living your spiritual life to the fullest. Saint Catherine of Siena’s Dialogue describes the entire spiritual life through a series of conversations between God and the soul, represented by Catherine herself. Readers of The Dialogue will find Catherine’s revelations from God as informative – and formative – as those who recognized her sanctity during her life. The universally applicable yet intimately personal messages she received from God are as much for us as they were for Catherine. We can read God’s communications to his beloved daughter with detached awe or we can receive His messages to us through her writings. Do you long for certainty that Divine Providence exists in the midst of our chaotic world? Does your prayer seem too dry, or too routine? Have you sought guidance for the challenges of your life from unhelpful people or things? Or has your pride kept you from humble obedience to the Church? If so, The Dialogue will provide consolation, encouragement and hope. Denise M. Ackermann – Surprised by the Man on the Borrowed Donkey Ordinary Blessings This is her most personal book – a spiritual autobiography of living joyfully in the presence of sorrow and suffering. “A brilliantly personal, honest analysis of what it means to be blessed when the contradictions, paradoxes, ambiguities and incongruities of life are embraced.” Dr Miranda Pillay “Denise Ackermann’s writing is fresh and lively, her theology perceptive and challenging and her spirituality profound and caring” Prof. John de Gruchy Richard Rohr – Immortal Diamond The search for our true self. An exploration of the deepest questions of identity, spirituality and meaning. In Falling Upward (and many of his other teachings), Richard Rohr talks at length about False Self and how it gets in the way of spiritual maturity, especially if its preoccupations continue into the second half of life. Here he focuses on the True Self, which he likens to a diamond, buried deep within us, formed under the intense pressure of our lives, needing to be searched for, uncovered and separated from all the debris of ego that surrounds it. In a sense True Self must, like Jesus, be resurrected, and that process is not resuscitation but transformation. William Keepin – Belonging to God Spirituality, Science & a Universal Path of Divine Love A breathtaking exploration of divine love across religions, illuminated equally by modern science and ancient wisdom. Combining decades of Eastern and Western contemplative practice with scientific research, William Keepin, offers a way forward for anyone who yearns for an inclusive spirituality that can encompass both deep intellectual inquiry and devotional abandon of the heart.

Find your contact

BELLVILLE Fred Hendricks 021 951 4600 fred.hendricks@telkomsa.net CLAREMONT Michael Craig 083 284 1056 mike@congregational.org.za CLOVELLY Mark Collier 064 907 7071 barbara.bruyns@gmail.com CONSTANTIA Paul Palmer 021 713 1471 paulrai@lantic.net CONSTANTIA Michele Bowes 082 931 0831 mmbowes@iafrica.com DURBANVILLE Cherry Wolf 021 976 0111 cherrywolf45@gmail.com DURBANVILLE Dianne Ledgerwood 021 976 4006 dpledgerwood@outlook.com DURBANVILLE John Philogene 021 976 8701 john@philogene.co.za

EDGEMEAD Linda Nicolson 072 149 4185 linda.nicolson@gmail.com

FISH HOEK Lindsay Wakeford- 021 782 3305 lindsayjwb@gmail.com Brooks

HARFIELD VILLAGE Christine Terry 072 549 3770 christine.marily@telkomsa.net MILNERTON Tembeka Mpako-Ntusi 083 309 5811 mpakontusi@gmail.com OCEAN VIEW Vanessa Lamb 081 820 1024 vlamb702@gmail.com OCEAN VIEW Lionel Levendal 082 741 0344

PAARL Cedric Williams 021 862 0240 willaimscew123@gmail.com PINELANDS Jeanie Hareb 021 531 5912 jeanie.hareb@gmail.com

SILVERMINE Pam Grassow 021 789 1557 pamgrassow@gmail.com SOMERSET WEST Janie Potgieter 021 851 4375 janie@telkomsa.net SOMERSET WEST Dawn Geiges 021 855 5740 dawngs@iafrica.com STEENBERG Mary Jeftha 021 761 2341 STELLENBOSCH Cornelia Kirsten 021 887 6672 cornelia@wam.co.za

TABLE VIEW** Brian Podesta 083 261 9395 bpodesta0@gmail.com

WYNBERG Ann Brooke 021 761 1690 annqazxc@gmail.com

CLERGY* Mark Collier 064 907 7071 fred.hendricks@telkomsa.net 021 948 0040

* Please note that this group is specifically for clergy and religious only, to mutually support and encourage each other on the 'contemplative journey’. Mark is only contactable by telephone. E-mail queries for him can be sent to Barbara Bruyns at the address given.

** Please note the new contact number and email address

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Get to know your leaders

Find a regional contact

Electronic Info Western Cape E-mail: centeringprayerwc@gmail.com International Website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org South African Website: www.centering.co.za

On-line Centering Prayer Sites https://meditationchapel.org/calendar/

https://meditationchapel.org/thomas-keating-chapel/

https://meditationchapel.org/john-main-chapel/

https://meditationchapel.org/peace-chapel/

https://meditationchapel.org/welcome-english/

CHAPTER CO-ORDINATOR

Janie Potgieter 021 851 4375 janie@telkomsa.net

COMMUNITY LIAISON

Alain Lolliot 072 595 6100 amlolliot@gmail.com

TREASURER Tony Butcher 082 864 1570 tbutcher@vodamail.co.za

LITERATURE Elizabeth Nel 021 701 9937 enelctza@gmail.com

SECRETARY Linda Nicolson 072 149 4185 linda.nicolson@gmail.com

CENTERING PRAYER and LECTIO DIVINA

Brian Podesta 083 2619395 brianp@isat.co.za

HONORARY MEMBERS

Dick van Wijk, Don Collier, Dawn and Urs Geiges

HERMANUS Pam Delport 028 312 2793 pfdelport@telkomsa.net

HERMANUS Jasmin Binorchis 082 870 8759 bonorchisjb@gmail.com

KLEINMOND Rosemary van Heerden

082 895 0198 rosejvanheerden@gmail.com

KNYSNA Carol Richter 044 382 1499 holysong22@gmail.com

OUDTSHOORN Marianne Spies 084 479 2166 m.spies@mweb.co.za

SEDGEFIELD Bernie Wigmore 044 343 3242 bernadettewigmore@ nashuaisp.co.za

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The newsletter is compiled and edited by Penny Craig, Tony Nicholl and Alain Lolliot, and generously sponsored by Konica Minolta South Africa, Cape Town.

4 Mike Pienaar Boulevard, Oosterzee Street, Bellville, Contact number: 021 941 4500

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for

me. Gal 2:20

Well done good and faith-ful servant. You have been faithful with a few things: I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master. Mt 25:23

Thelma Petersen RIP - Born 5th December 1934, called home 11th September 2019

In September last year we bade farewell to our dear Thelma. She was a person of few words, and when she did speak, she did so quietly. She was a humble person, but was always willing to help. I knew her for many, many years, and she was faithful in every-thing she did. We would call it, “Love in action”. She was an active member of the Arts and Crafts group, the Mothers Union and, of course, Centering Prayer. She was also quiet in the Centering Group, and was always reluctant to speak, but she was faithful.

We would take turns in leading the group, but Thelma preferred not to lead.

Thelma was not shy to pray out loud when asked, and her prayers were always so beautiful. Eventually she agreed to lead Centering Prayer. When she didn’t attend the next meeting, we thought that she had decided not to lead the group. We soon discovered, however, that she had fallen ill and was in hospital. When we visited her in Groote Schuur she was hardly able to speak, but she was so peaceful, and had such a beautiful smile. My joy was visiting her at Living Hope, and sharing the love of our awesome God. Thelma was obedient, humble and faithful to the end. We miss you,

Thelma, may you rest in peace. Mary Jeftha

Should you wish to make a donation, here are the banking details: Contemplative Outreach, Nedbank, Pinelands Code: 1047 0900 Account 1025 894 308 Reference: The word ‘Donation’ followed by your surname and initials. e.g. Donation Smith J