The Living Flame Program

COMWA is delighted to offer the Living Flame program for the first time in Washington, DC during the forthcoming year, beginning in October 2006 and ending in May 2007. It includes seven full-day offerings of in-depth spiritual study presented by members of the National Faculty of Contemplative Outreach. Each day is designed to teach the vital conceptual background information needed to support a faithful practice of Centering Prayer; to offer encouragement and support in a small community setting; to heighten the awareness of the purification process; to help discern when the support of psychological skills can be helpful tools on the journey; and to offer the opportunity to give and receive support and to share personal experience about the spiritual path. Each day’s program includes morning and afternoon Centering Prayer periods and the opportunity to share in small group settings.

An international program developed by Contemplative Outreach, designed to heighten the awareness of the dynamic of Centering Prayer in the context of the Spiritual Journey; offer the understanding needed to stay faithful to the Centering Prayer practice; help discern when the support of psychological skills may be helpful tools on the journey; and access deeper understanding of the purification process in contemplative prayer. It provides an opportunity to receive and share personal experiences in a small faith community committed to the Centering Prayer practice. It meets one Saturday each month from October to May, except December.

The program consists of the following topics:
When: Saturdays from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm

October 21, 2006 Lectio Divina, Sr. Maria Tasto


For more photos, visit our slide show of the October 2006 Living Flame on Lectio Divina.















November 18, 2006 Refinement of the Centering Prayer Practice, Matthew Flatley





January 20, 2007 Formation of Emotional Programs for Happiness, Mary Dwyer














February 17, 2007 The False Self in Action, Marge Rafferty
March 17, 2007 Divine Therapy, Ann Mazza
April 21, 2007 Night of Sense, Susan Komis
May 19, 2007 The Welcoming Prayer, Therese Saulnier

Fee: The registration fee for the program is $315 if paid in full by August 15, 2006, and $350 after that date. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 confirms your reservation. The registration and payment deadline is September 15, 2006.

The cost includes expenses for out-of-town speakers, supplies, coffee and refreshments for each session. Lunch is not included. Please register early since space is limited.

Where: Falls Church Presbyterian Church
225 East Broad Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
For directions see www.fallschurchpresby.org
Accessible by Metro and bus.

Prerequisites for Attendance: A regular practice of daily Centering Prayer for at least 6 consecutive months. A commitment to attend all seven sessions. Reading of “Open Mind Open Heart” and “Invitation to Love” by Fr. Thomas Keating.

Registration is closed, please contact Isabelle Robinson at imjrobinson@comcast.net for more information.