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April 14th, 2025
Contemplative Connection
Newsletter
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"May the power of your love, O Lord, fiery and sweet as honey, wean my heart from everything under heaven, that I may die for love of your love, you who were so good as to die for love of my love!" ~St. Francis of Assisi
We come to the end of this year's Lenten journey and begin our journey with Jesus. From Palm Sunday, to the cross, and finally to resurrection. A journey that reveals, as Richard Rohr says, the universal path of transformation, "order, disorder, reorder". During lent, we often evoke practices that disrupt our unskillful living, habits, and addictions, that God might “wean” our hearts from everything that gets in the way of love and wholeness.
There are many translations of the St. Francis' prayer above, but the use of the word “wean” is my favorite. It conveys a certain caregiving, mercy, and present love in our move from order to disorder. The ultimate motivation of weaning isn’t self denial or punishment, but our good, because God desires our good. We die for love. We enter into the many little deaths and disorders for love, that love may prosper in our lives. New creation comes out of the compost of our lives. This is the pattern that Holy Week ultimately reveals.
Blessings to you as you journey with Jesus, the disciples, and the crowds this Holy Week.
Adam
Quick Notes
Closings: No Contemplative Conversations on Easter Sunday, April 20th. No Activities from April 21st to April 26th. No Contemplative Conversations on Sunday, April 27th. No Contemplative Prayer Sit on April 28th.
Holy Week activities begin this week! Details Below. Be sure to join us for our joint Easter Service on Sunday the 20th with Reorient Collective! RSVP on The Contemplative Cathedral for all activities.
"Be"ing Together: Contemplation and Community, Our first Annual Retreat by Contemplate Lincoln is coming up this May! Registration rate goes up on April 14th. Register now for $175, it will be $200 after April 13th. Register Here: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/9842561
98% of our budget comes from your generous donations and support. Consider donating or setting up a recurring donation to support our ongoing activities.
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Join us for Holy Week on The Contemplative Cathedral as we journey from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. We have a dedicated Space in The Contemplative Cathedral to host all of Holy Week. A place to find events, join via Zoom, and share with each other over the week.
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 17th, 7:00-8:00pm
Description: A Tenebrae service reflecting on The Last Supper, communion, the new commandment, and Jesus’ arrest in Gethsemane. This service incorporates periods of silent meditation/contemplation, readings from contemplatives, interwoven with scripture/lectio divina.
Optional Supplies: If you want to join us in communion, have supplies (food and beverage) nearby. Don’t worry about what you bring, God will make use of it! Have up to 6 candles if you want to extinguish candles during our journey through the story together.
Good Friday
Friday, April 18th, 7:00-8:00pm
Description: A Tenebrae service reflecting on the passion story. Our time will include liturgy, scripture/lectio divina, contemplative readings, and silent meditation/contemplation.
Optional supplies: up to 7 candles if you want to extinguish candles during our journey through the story together.
Holy Saturday
Saturday, April 19th, 9:00-10:00am
Description: We reflect on the liminality of Holy Saturday as Jesus’ followers did on the day between death and resurrection. We will have a short reading reflection/liturgy followed by a contemplative prayer sit.
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 20th, 11:00am with our friends at The Reorient Collective
Description: A liturgical and contemplative celebration through liturgy and music. We gather as an Easter people in communion with all saints around the world on this sacred day to celebrate hope and resurrection.
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Mayors Interfaith Prayer Breakfast Featuring Jacqui Lewis!
Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 7:30am to 9:00am
The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska
Contemplate Lincoln purchased a table sponsorship and has four tickets to sell for $40 each, including taxes and fees. Let me (Adam) know if you are interested by emailing me at adam@contemplatelincoln.org.
We have read her books and watched several of her presentations in our community. This is an opportunity to see her in person and celebrate Lincoln's diversity of faiths.
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“Be”ing Together: Contemplation and Community
A Retreat by Contemplate Lincoln
When: May 9th at 7:30pm until May 10th at 5:30pm
Where: St. Benedict Center - 1123 Road I, Schuyler, NE 68661
Overnight: $175 - Includes Breakfast & Lunch on the 10th
Commuter: $130 - Includes Breakfast & Lunch on the 10th
Note: Registration rate goes up to $200 on April 14th.
A day-and-a-half retreat to deepen practice while immersed in community. We will also learn about “be”ing together through the relationship of contemplation and community. During our time we will immerse ourselves in contemplative practices such as Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, and Mindfulness Walks while hearing from speakers from Contemplate Lincoln on contemplation and community
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Richard Rohr’s new book "The Tears of Things" was released this month. In his first major work since The Universal Christ, Richard Rohr offers a wholehearted and hope-filled model for the world today, grounded in the timeless wisdom of the Hebrew prophets.
If you wish to purchase the book and support Contemplative Lincoln, you can do so here:
What Happens Next
All groups are hosted on The Contemplative Cathedral, an online platform that allows for sharing, discussion, access to Zoom links, and multi-model learning and engagement. You will receive an invitation to join the group in The Cathedral at least a week before we begin.
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Next Meeting: May 10th at 10:00am
(Every 2nd Saturday of Each Month at 10:00am)
Join us for our monthly celebration on the prairie with drumming, short reading reflections, meditation, and a mindfulness walk through the majestic trails of Pioneers Park. Those who don’t wish to walk may sit on the Nature Center deck that faces a beautiful prairie and buffalo. We often close with a drumming circle (no experience required).
We will gather for about 30 minutes for reflections, drumming, and meditation before walking trails and regathering for a brief time of sharing.
We will meet inside the auditorium at the Nature Center. During colder months, we will meet for one hour and have a shorter walking time. In the warmer months, we will meet for 75 minutes and often meet on the back deck, weather permitting.
Bring a chair, a water bottle, and a drum. Some drums will be provided.
Nature Center and Deck are wheelchair accessible.
Location:
The Nature Center at Pioneers Park
3201 S. Coddington Ave
South Coddington- Lincoln, NE 68522
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Saturday, April 12 at 10:00 AM CDT
Prairie Church
Join us for our monthly celebration on the prairie with drumming, short reading reflections, meditation, and a mindfulness walk through the majestic trails of Pioneers Park. Those who don’t wish to walk may sit on the Nature Center deck that faces a beautiful prairie and buffalo. We often close with a drumming circle (no experience required). We...
RSVP
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Every Thursday at 7:00PM - 8:00PM
“Most of us assume addiction only affects others—those struggling with substances, gambling, or other self-destructive behaviors. Yet, addiction, at its core, is simply a pattern of unconscious habits. It emerges when we live on autopilot, reacting rather than choosing, grasping rather than allowing. We all have habitual ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that can limit our freedom and keep us from fully engaging with life. Healing isn’t reserved for crises; it’s available to anyone who wishes to live more skillfully, with greater awareness and intention. In essence, we are all in some form of recovery—from our conditioning, fears, and blind spots—as we continually navigate the tension between our illusions of control and life’s unfolding reality.”
— Patrick Dahlen
Join Our New Online Contemplative 12-Step Group
We invite you to embark on a transformative journey with our contemplative 12-Step group. Whether you’re a contemplative at heart, seeking deeper surrender to your Higher Power and Divine Source, examining unskillful life patterns, or simply looking for a non-dogmatic, transformational experience, this group is for you.
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Thursday, April 10 at 7:00 PM CDT
12- Step Gathering
RSVP
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Our newest Ecology and Spirituality Book: Rooted Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
When: We meet each month on the 1st and 3rd Monday at 1:00pm
Where: 1893 Coffee & Cream at 6345 Havelock Ave Lincoln, NE 68507
This is an informal group where you are welcome to come when you can and jump back in after an absence.
During our time, we will talk about the book and life, enjoy our favorite treats, and practice. If you are interested in exploring the intersection of spirituality and ecology join us as we contemplatively work through the text.
RSVP to join The Cathedral Space for updates and reading selections:
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Monday, April 21 at 1:00 PM CDT
Rooted Discussion Group
In Rooted, cutting-edge science supports a truth that poets, artists, mystics, and earth-based cultures across the world have proclaimed over millennia: life on this planet is radically interconnected. Our bodies, thoughts, minds, and spirits are affected by the whole of nature, and they affect this whole in return. In this time of crisis, how c...
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Monday, May 5 at 1:00 PM CDT
Rooted Discussion Group
In Rooted, cutting-edge science supports a truth that poets, artists, mystics, and earth-based cultures across the world have proclaimed over millennia: life on this planet is radically interconnected. Our bodies, thoughts, minds, and spirits are affected by the whole of nature, and they affect this whole in return. In this time of crisis, how c...
RSVP
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Order Book Here:
Rooted: Life at the Crossroads In Rooted, cutting-edge science supports a truth that poets, artists, mystics, and earth-based cultures across the world have proclaimed over millennia: life on this planet is radically interconnected. Our bodies, thoughts, minds, and spirits are affected by the whole of nature, and they affect this whole in return. In this time of crisis, how can we best live upon our imperiled, beloved earth?
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On The Cathedral
RSVP on The Contemplative Cathedral to receive links, reminders, and updates. The Contemplative Cathedral also connects you to the larger community and ongoing conversation.
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Monday, April 14 at 9:15 AM CDT
Lectio Divina
Join us as Pastor John Duling leads us in Lectio Divina often referred to as praying the scriptures. We read a small scripture several times with brief periods of silent reflection closing with a time of sharing.
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Monday, April 14 at 6:30 AM CDT
Monday's Contemplative Prayer Sit: A Space to Practice
Join us in community for a 20-minute contemplative prayer sit. You are welcome to use whatever your silent prayer or meditation practice may be (centering prayer, Jesus prayer, etc.). Instructions for Centering Prayer will be provided. We often begin with community time which includes a short poem or other invitation into conversation followed...
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Friday, April 11 at 4:30 PM CDT
Contemplative Movement
Contemplative Movement engages our physical selves in spiritual practice to promote wholeness, balancing activity with stillness. The practice is accessible by all body types and experience levels. Chairs, mats, cushions, straps, blocks, eye and bolster pillows may be used. Each practice may contain elements of body awareness, dance, yoga, praye...
RSVP
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Sunday, April 13 at 11:00 AM CDT
Sunday Gathering
Gathering to Grow: A Contemplative Sunday Gathering Simple-Contemplative-Communal Join us online for our Sunday Gathering where we practice, worship, process, and close with Communion. We meet for an hour to 75 minutes via Zoom.
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Sunday, April 13 at 2:00 PM CDT
Contemplative Conversations: Films, Videos, and Presentations
Join us for a time of contemplation and conversation centered around videos with insights from some of today's most influential theologians and spiritual teachers. Videos from The Work of the People and other sources include Richard Rohr, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Walter Brueggemann, Brene Brown, Barbara Brown Taylor, Barbara Holmes, Ilia Delio, and man...
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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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The Contemplative Cathedral
A Space to Deepen Your Spiritual Life
Join us online for contemplation and community. So many of us on the contemplative path eventually get to the point where we can go no further alone. The Contemplative Cathedral is a response to the inner yearning of many contemplatives for community. It looks a little like other social media platforms, but it is so much more. It's a space to conspire, connect, and contemplate, and our online home for all of our event info (both online & in-person), links, and groups. It also serves as a way to stay connected in between events.
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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.
Lectio Divina - Mondays at 9:15AM: Link
Contemplative Prayer Lab - Mondays at 6:30AM: Link
Contemplative Movement - Fridays at 4:30PM: Link
Sunday Gatherings - Sunday’s at 11:00AM: Link
Contemplative Conversations - Sundays at 2:00PM: Link
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PO BOX 29341, Lincoln, NE 68529
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