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Contemplative Connection Newsletter
April 15th, 2026
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THE PEACE OF PRAIRIES
By Grace Dickinson
To heal my spirit's ill there seemed no cure;
With diligence I searched from pole to pole
And grew accustomed to the lapping lure
Of water tugging at a weathered bole.
For I have climbed where mountain ranges run
Across and up and down like cacti spines;
I know her inland seas and desert sun,
Have slept and wakened under giant pines.
Still haunted with unrest I roamed the earth
In search of that for which my heart made moan;
Nor cared though my far questing brought to birth
Deep misery or joy,-were it my own;
When suddenly I came on growing corn
And saw the prairies out where I was born.
Saw as a stranger where the gracious sky
All dappling, dipped to meet the ground,-Alfalfa meadows, blue-grass, waving rye,
The little hills and everything around.
Then through my being surged remembered joy,
Articulate with melody of long
Forgotten tunes, and like a wayward boy
At home again, my heart held secret song.
Majestic mountain peaks had left me cold;
Loved cities, splendid, noisy with alarum
Palled on my jaded soul; but here were old
Calm scenes: the place where I was born, the charm
Of meadowlark, still singing in the grain,
And peace where skies bend low to kiss the plain
Join us on the prairie April 19th for a time of quiet reflection and renewal. Together, we’ll take a mindful walk through Pioneers Park, an opportunity to slow down and be present in the beauty of creation.
Quick Notes
Prairie Church: April 19th at 1:00PM!
Note: There will be no Sunday Contemplative Conversations on Prairie Church Sundays
Learn more below about our upcoming Telluride Pastors, Teachers, and Leaders Retreat! June 7-11th in beautiful Telluride, Colorado!
This grant-funded retreat is available for just $500 when you register in April using the code Rest.
Register: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/10902262
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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Next Meeting: Sunday, April 19th at 1:00pm
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 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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Telluride Pastors, Teachers, and Leaders Retreat
A Christian Contemplative Retreat for Rest, Renewal, and Return
Rest and Renewal through contemplative practices while immersed in the majestic San Juan Mountains.
Return refreshed and with contemplative practices and tools to incorporate into your life, ministry, and congregation.
When
June 7–11, 2026, in beautiful Telluride, Colorado
Beginning the evening of June 7th
Concluding the morning of June 11th
Registration
Registration $750 – Register before April 1st for a reduced rate of $700. Early registrations are also eligible for payment plans split over 2 or 3 payments.
Registration includes:
- Four nights (June 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th) at Hotel Telluride
- Catered lunch on June 8th, 9th, and 10th
- All retreat sessions and guided practices at Christ Church Telluride. Walking distance from the Hotel Telluride.
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 $1,500. Learn more about the Trust for the Meditation Process here:
Description
Participants will retreat for rest and renewal through silence, nature, and contemplative practice in the breathtaking mountain setting of Telluride, Colorado.
This retreat offers:
- Training in contemplative practices
- 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 opportunities and spaciousness 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 practitioner of meditation and centering prayer and 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.org
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.
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.
Draft Retreat Schedule
June 7th Sunday Evening (Arrival Day)
- 7:00pm: Opening Practice and Altar Building
June 8th – 10th Monday – Wednesday
- 9:00am – 11:00am: Morning Practice & Workshop
- 11:00am – 1:00pm: Lunch
- 1:00pm – 2:30pm: Afternoon Workshop
- 2:30pm – 6:30pm: Open Time and Dinner
- 7:00pm – 8:30pm: Community Discussion, Conversation, and Evening Practice
- 8:30pm: Sunset in Telluride. See the Alpine Glow from Sanctuary and the Mountain Top Viewing on St. Sophia Gondola
June 11th Thursday (Departure Day)
- 9:00am - 10:30am: Closing Practice
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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 20 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.
RSVP
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Sunday, April 19 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.
RSVP
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Sunday, April 26 at 12:15 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 contemplative 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...
RSVP
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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
Sunday Gatherings - Sunday’s at 11:00am: Link
Contemplative Conversations - Sundays at 12:15pm: Link
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PO BOX 29341, Lincoln, NE 68529
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