Thin Days of Fall

Welcome to the thin days of Fall. A time when we invoke “deep time,” as Fr. Rohr says, embrace playfulness, and remember. A time when our death-phobic, need-to-know society is invited to face up to death and the unknown. When adults and kids alike dress up and enter a playfulness that isn't often permitted in our day-to-day lives.

In the quote above, I love Rohr’s use of the word togetherness, which this time of year really evokes for me. Beyond November kicking off the holidays, when togetherness shows up in seasonal get-togethers, I always feel an extra sense of togetherness and community. I feel a deeper connection to my ancestors and to the saints who have gifted me something along this journey.

I also sense an extra dose of community in the air as strangers open their doors to one another and walk the streets together on Halloween night. The usual walls seem to fall as neighbors I have never met or rarely see open their doors with big smiles for my kids and me. An aura of hospitality and welcome pervades the air. If only it could always be this way.

The world is full of the consequences of a lack of play, hospitality, remembrance, and togetherness. May the hospitality, welcome, remembrance, and togetherness of these thin days find a home in our hearts and live beyond the season.

Adam

Quick Notes

*Sunday Afternoon's Contemplative Conversations on break until November 15th*

Learn More and Register Below for Ascent 2027: A Christian Contemplative Clergy and Leaders Retreat for Rest, Renewal, and Return

Don't forget! Daily Centering Prayer Gathering is every morning at 7:00am with our friends at Contemplative Interbeing via Zoom.

98% of our budget comes from your generous donations and support. Consider donating or setting up a recurring donation to support our ongoing activities.

Ascent 2027

June 6–10, 2027, in beautiful Telluride, Colorado​
Beginning the evening of June 6th. Concluding the morning of June 10th
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Registration: Early Bird Rate: $350 (register by Jan. 1, 2027); Regular Rate: $399.

Registration includes:
Four nights (June 6, 7, 8, 9) at Hotel Telluride https://thehoteltelluride.com/​
All retreat sessions and guided practices at Christ Presbyterian Church

This retreat is made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. The grant helps make this experience accessible. Four nights at Hotel Telluride alone typically cost over $1,600.

Learn more about the Trust for the Meditation Process here: www.trustformeditation.org​

For those flying to Telluride, find airport options and distance from Telluride below:
​Montrose (MTJ), 1 hr. 20 min.
​Durango (DRO), 2 hr. 20 min.
​Albuquerque (ABQ), 5 hr. 30 min., is the closest big city airport and a good option for those visiting northern New Mexico before or after the retreat.
​Denver (DEN), 7 hr., can be a good option for those who wish to spend time in Colorado mountain towns closer to the Front Range before or after the retreat.
To get to Telluride from Montrose, book a car through a major car rental company or reserve a spot on the Telluride Express shuttle service.

Description​
Participants will retreat for rest and renewal through silence, nature, and contemplative practice in Telluride, Colorado’s breathtaking mountain setting.
This retreat offers:

• Training in contemplative practices: including Centering Prayer, Welcoming Prayer, and Lectio Divina
• Practical tools for incorporating contemplative spirituality into churches and denominational contexts
• Guided outdoor contemplative practices and mindfulness walks

There will be intentional rhythms of silence and community. The retreat will also offer space to explore the many walking trails, views, and magic of Telluride. Local presenter Greg Durham and host Peter Traben Haas will offer tips and guidance on where to go and what to do during free time.
Participants will leave renewed in spirit and equipped to return to their ministries with depth, groundedness, and practical contemplative tools.

Presenters

Gregory Cash Durham is a dad, writer, minister, and retreat leader based in Telluride, CO, and Austin, TX. He is the founder of the contemplative spiritual community Contemplation In The City, and a founding member of the arts-centered church Life In The City, both in Austin. He received his education at Hunter College (NYC), Université de Paris (France), and St. Stephen’s University (Canada), but is most proud of being a 2022 graduate of Richard Rohr’s Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation.He writes about the Christian mystics at lifeinthecity.substack.com and modern contemplative spiritual life at contemplationinthecity.substack.com.

Adam Luedtke is a pastor, spiritual director, and curator of contemplative spaces in Lincoln, NE. Since 2016, Adam has been the Director and Pastor of Contemplate Lincoln, a Christian contemplative community in Lincoln, NE. In 2020, Adam founded the Contemplative Cathedral, an online contemplative community and platform. In 2021, Adam co-founded the Contemplative Community Creators Network (3CN), a collective of leaders and community creators in the Christian Contemplative Tradition. In addition, Adam leads retreats for clergy, Christian denominations, churches, and individuals.
Adam has a PhD in Psychology, an MA in Transpersonal Studies, and a BA in Psychology and Religious Studies. As well as certifications in transformational coaching and spiritual direction. Adam is a meditation and centering prayer practitioner and is a teacher of spiritual practices, Christian mysticism, and Christian contemplation.
Learn more at https://contemplatelincoln.org or check out the Contemplative Cathedral at community.contemplatelincoln.or​

About Our Host

Christ Presbyterian Church​
Christ Presbyterian Church is a progressive and inclusive Christian community in Telluride that honors each person’s unique spiritual journey.
Organized in 1889, it was the first church established in Telluride. Located one block off Colorado Avenue, the church is surrounded by historic homes and mountain beauty.
The church grounds include contemplative gardens and a labyrinth registered with the International Labyrinth Society. The sanctuary windows open toward the surrounding mountains, and the space reflects the warmth and welcome of the congregation.
Learn more at christpresbyterianchurchtelluride.com.

Rev. Dr. Peter Traben Haas​
Rev. Dr. Peter Traben Haas is an ordained Teaching Pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) with over 25 years of ministry experience. He earned degrees from Moody Bible Institute, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Peter is the author of multiple contemplative works, including Contemplative Church and contributions to Paraclete Press’s Centering Prayers series.
He serves as Pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church in Telluride and is a respected Centering Prayer retreat leader and guest teacher.

Retreat Schedule​
​June 6th Sunday Evening (Arrival Day)​
7:00 pm: Opening Practice and Altar Building
​June 7th – 9th Monday – Wednesday
(Each Morning Begins With an Optional Hike)​
9:00 am – 11:00 am: Morning Practice & Workshop
11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Afternoon Workshop
2:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Open Time and Dinner
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Community Discussion, Conversation, and Evening Practice
8:30 pm: Sunset in Telluride. See the Alpine Glow from Sanctuary and the Mountain Top Viewing on St. Sophia Gondola
​June 10th Thursday (Departure Day)​
9:00 am – 10:30 am: Closing Practice

Join us daily for Centering Prayer at 7:00am - 7:30am

Centering Prayer offers a quiet space to rest in stillness, notice your breath, and gently return to the present moment.

By sharing this simple practice together, we nurture contemplative awareness, compassion, and our sense of interconnectedness.

We hope to see you there!

Contemplate Lincoln has a new website, and with it, a new home for The Contemplative Cathedral.

Even if you are already part of the Cathedral, this is for you too.

Your old login doesn't automatically transfer, so you'll need to make an account — it takes under a minute, and it's free.

Everything sits in one place now. Your Cathedral page shows the next gathering with its Zoom link, the month's calendar, the practices, and any circles you belong to. You can ask us to email you before any gathering with a reminder or connect your own iCal or Google Calendar.

To join: go to contemplatelincoln.org/join and enter your name, your email address, and a password of your choosing. That's it — you're in.

If you get stuck anywhere, email me at adam@contemplatelincoln.org, and I'll help you sort it out.

Adam​
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Meeting Links

Below are the Zoom links to events (Central Time Zone)

Sign up on The Contemplative Cathedral to receive alerts, and reminders, and be part of the ongoing conversation.

Daily Centering Prayer Gathering - Daily at 7:00am: Link​

Lectio Divina - Mondays at 9:15am: Link

Sunday Gatherings - Sunday’s at 11:00am: Link​

Contemplative Conversations - Sundays at 12:15pm: Link​

Tell Your Story & Support Contemplate Lincoln & The Contemplative Cathedral

Help us tell the story of our community by sharing your experience. We know one of the best ways to invite others into our community is through the stories of those who have benefited from Contemplate Lincoln and The Contemplative Cathedral.

Excerpts from your gifts of sharing will be used in social media posts and newsletters. If you have benefited from our contemplative community consider adding your story through the link below.

Many Thanks,
Adam

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PO BOX 29341, Lincoln, NE 68529
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