Finding the Sacred in Daily Life: An Invitation to Divine Attention

May 19

Throughout Christian history, people have explored contemplative and meditative practices to deepen their connection to the divine. Join us as we continue to explore these traditions in our contemporary context.

This will be a multi-faceted workshop that will provide avenues to explore and deepen your faith in everyday life. It’s a flexible structure, so there is a mix of fixed programs and drop-in activities:

Tour of Sanctuary

10:45am-11am

Dinah Wayne

The event will begin with a brief exploration the symbolism and sacred architecture of our 100 year old sanctuary.

Dinah Wayne has attended Holy Trinity for about 14 years and now splits her attendance between the Lakeview and Loop sites. She was trained as a city planner and underwrites affordable housing projects for the City of Chicago. At HTLC, Dinah served on Council and recently joined the Property Committee. She is a long time docent with the Chicago Architecture Center.

Workshops

11am-11:30am  

Journaling Workshop

Karol Weigelt

In this session, we will also engage in some prompts and creative writing exercises. You will also learn some practical strategies on how to begin or expand a regular journaling practice. Writing as a spiritual practice can help to uncover themes, patterns and emotions that linger under the surface. Writing materials will be provided.

Karol Weigelt is a psychotherapist and Spiritual Director in private practice. Journaling is a tool that she uses with clients ,and herself, in understanding one’s ‘interior  landscape ’. Journaling an be a doorway into our meaning making in life and our own spirituality and beliefs. Karol has been a journaler and member of Holy Trinity for over 25 years.

Centering Prayer Practice

Jonas Ellison

In this session, you will walk through the guidelines of Centering Prayer and receive some practical advice to continue this practice in the comfort of your own homes (and backyards, park benches, train seats, or wherever else you can find a sacred contemplative moment).

Jonas Ellison describes himself as a dad, a working househusband, a poet, and an essayist (among various other irrelevant things). With an archive of over 1500 posts, his publication, Common Words, is the top single-author publication on Medium.com (you can dig into the archive over at his website at JonasEllison.com).

Jonas is a member of Holy Trinity and a newly admitted seminarian at LSTC pursuing his MDiv. He’s also been a longtime practitioner and teacher of Centering Prayer, a form of meditation and contemplative spiritual practice rooted in mystical Christianity.

Drop-In Activities

10:45am-11:30am

Zen Doodling!

Youth-led

Come doodle with us! Appropriate for ages 0-99, zen doodling is a fun activity that would be great for families. We’ll have tables, markers, and our youthful instructors ready for you. Even if you don’t think you’re artistic, you’ll be amazed at what you can create!

Tea and Prayer Beads

Young Adult -led

Prayer beads have been a common way of structuring prayer across different cultures, religions, and time periods. We will be making our own prayer beads to take home and some prayers to go along with them. If you’re feeling crafty, or just enjoy conversation and hot tea on the couch, come join us.