2024 Annual One-Day Fall Workshop!

Saturday November 2, 2024

Online Workshop with Carl McColman

Optional In-Person Gathering with Alan Krema at St. Leonard’s Ministries

The Annual Fall One-Day Workshop is a Contemplative Outreach Chicago tradition that goes back to 2012, but this year, we’re trying something new – a “hybrid” Fall Workshop. Our recent member survey revealed that many of you like to attend events in-person, but even more prefer to attend online. So, here’s a chance to choose the option that works best for you.

We live in a time of deep social, political, and spiritual division, and it’s easy to feel hopeless with the constant news and social media. But there is hope! Mystics throughout the ages have provided inspirational teachings and practical tools to heal our hearts and society from within.

In this interspiritual and interactive workshop, just three days before a contentious election, we will explore the Christian mystical practice of Centering Prayer to find inner peace and healing. We’ll also practice Buddhist techniques like Loving Kindness and Tonglen meditation to grow our capacity for love and compassion. These powerful practices can transform both ourselves and the world.

Mystics from all traditions teach that we hold God’s compassion and power within us, allowing us to embody the light and love that can change the world. Join us for a transformative workshop that explores timeless practices and insights from history’s greatest spiritual guides.

Registrants will receive on-demand access to recording(s) that can be viewed for two weeks following the conclusion of the program.

Carl McColman is a spiritual writer, contemplative teacher, and renowned workshop leader based in Atlanta. His books include The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Eternal Heart: the Mystical Path to a Joyful Life, and An Invitation to Celtic Wisdom. His forthcoming book, Read the Bible Like a Mystic, will be published in 2025.

More information and registration for the online event.
Note that the in-person option (below) includes the online workshop; do not register for both or you will overpay.

For those who would prefer to gather in person, we offer this option. The morning session will be an in person contemplative prayer experience with our local members at the St. Andrew Chapel on the campus of St Leonard’s Ministries in Chicago.

Led by Alan Krema, it will consist of three movements:  Welcoming Prayer, Centering Prayer, and Communal Holding of our Societal Wounding.  We will end our morning prayer with a ritual of Wisdom Sharing.

After our morning session, we will tour St Leonard’s facility; one of the most successful programs in our country to support and embrace the return of the formerly incarcerated to sacred citizenship. You can read about St. Leonard’s here. Lunch will be served.

Then, in the afternoon, we will return to the chapel to view the online presentation by Carl McColman on a large screen, in community.

Note: If you would like to join us at St. Leonard’s, please act quickly – capacity for the in-person gathering is limited to 30 people.

Alan Krema is a long time student of Thomas Keating and Cynthia Bourgeault. Alan has attended Wisdom Schools since 2010.  He facilitates Wisdom practice groups focused on Centering Prayer, Welcoming Prayer, the Wisdom Way of Knowing, the Gospel of Thomas, and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene.

Alan emphasizes the engagement of current issues with the embodied Wisdom of contemplative practice. He is actively engaged with Wisdom Waypoints and Contemplative Outreach and has introduced a variety of teachings from the Wisdom Way of Knowing lineage into the practice and prayer gatherings of Contemplative Outreach.

Alan is an alum of the CAC Living School and the program for facilitating Contemplative Retreats from the Shalem Institute.
He lives in the Chicago area.

More information and registration for the in-person option.
Note that the in-person option includes the online workshop; do not register for both or you will overpay.