Featured in the Newsletter

To the Contemplative Outreach Community: Thank You for your Generosity

To date, 21 people contributed over $1,700 toward our annual costs of $2,500/year to maintain the COOP website, monthly e-news, and multiple Zoom accounts.

Can you assist us with a donation?
Click here to donate through PayPal.

COOP is a volunteer association without 501c3 non-profit status. Donations are not tax-deductible.

Mentored & encouraged by Mary Dwyer, Vicki also facilitates a Centering Prayer group every 2nd & 4th Wednesday in-person at Franciscan Spiritual Center, Saturday Zoom Centering Prayer with Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, and daily Centering Prayer Zoom at 7 a.m.

photo by Rita Hess

The COOP website has been updated. Facilitators, please click on the link below and double-check information for correctness. Contact us if anything needs to be edited.

Artwork: Agni Yoga, by Nicholas Roerich

April 5, 2024

and First Fridays monthly

• Labyrinth walk 5 pm
• Supper 6 pm
• Taize 7 pm

Franciscan Spiritual Center, Marylhurst Commons
donations gratefully accepted

Saturday, April 13, 2024
8:30 am to 12:00 pm

Holy Name Catholic Church
50 S. Dean Street
Coquille, OR 97423

Email 3443elle@gmail.com for more information.

What is Blooming Within You?
In Person

Saturday, April 13, 2024
10 am – 2 pm

St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
2036 SE Jefferson Street
Milwaukie, Oregon

Bring a sack lunch. Beverages provided.
Cost: $25

Image, Ecstasy of the lillies by Octavio Ocampo

When: Thursday mornings, 10:30 – 12:00
Where: St. Catherine’s Episcopal, on Hwy 101 in Nehalem

They are currently reading short passages from The Heart of Centering Prayer, by Cynthia Bourgeault, followed by a 20-minute prayer period and time for discussion.

For more information, contact facilitator Roxanne Brown.

Centering Prayer 12-Step Outreach is offering:

April 20, 2024 9 – 11 am
Emotional Sobriety – Finding the Heart’s Center
Speakers and discussion

(Registration required to receive Zoom invitation)

When: Saturday, April 20th, 9:30-12:30 Pacific Time
Where: Online via Zoom

The Contemplative Society invites you to join an online morning retreat with Matthew Wright, Episcopal priest and student of Cynthia Bourgeault.

Registration fee $20-50, pay from the heart

Image Source

entering Prayer 12-Step Outreach is offering:
five monthly online Centering Prayer Introductory Workshops from

May to September 2024
First Saturday of each month, 9-11:30 am Pacific Time

Registration is required to receive a Zoom invitation.

7-day Intensive or Post-Intensive
Monday to Sunday, October 28 – November 3, 2024

Twin Rocks Friends Camp
Rockaway Beach, Oregon

Sponsored by Contemplative Outreach of Portland & Contemplative Outreach Willamette Valley

Welcoming Prayer Part 2:
The Divine Therapy
Saturday, June 1, 2024
9:30-12:30 (doors open at 9)
In Person

Vicki Hess-Smith will review the Welcoming Prayer Practice and take us on a deeper dive into consent-on-the-go, welcoming God into our feelings in daily life.

Mini introduction to Centering Prayer 9:00-9:30 am.

Franciscan Spiritual Center, Marylhurst Commons

Preregistration is requested but not required. Suggested donation of $20 at the door

Watch for the registration link in May COOP news.

Mondays through Fridays 

Mondays through Fridays
4:30-5:00 pm (Pacific)

No chit-chat, no extras.
All are welcome.
Drop in any time

Contact councilcoordinating@gmail.com for login information.

Photo by Linda Garcia

Spiritual Journey Course

Every Tuesday night, 5:00 – 6:00 pm
(right after No Frills – same link)

Community building as we walk the spiritual journey together
Come to all or drop in anytime.

April topics 4/2, 4/9, 4/16: Contemplative Service, Creating a Rule of Life and Farewell – Last lessons in series.

Contact councilcoordinating@gmail.com for login information.

artwork: Marguerite Laing, Ground of Being II

COOP is planning to add a page to their website listing Spiritual Directors who are familiar with Centering Prayer. If you would like to be included, we will need your name and website (or preferred contact) information, and 2-3 sentences about you, including where and when you received your training and if you practice in person or Zoom.

Email us at councilcoordinating@gmail.com if you have an established Centering Prayer practice and are accepting new directees, or have questions.

The following people have submitted their names and contact information to us. We are simply passing on that information without vetting them or holding any responsibility for them.

[Names alphabetical by first name]

• Christine Naylor, cnaylor@francisspctr.com
• Mark Lesniewski, markl@francisspctr.com
• Sr. Mary Jo Chaves, https://www.francisspctr.com/spiritual-direction
• Melinda Lee Jackson, melindaleejackson@gmail.com
• Patricia Hutchinson, hutchinson.patricia@gmail.com
• Paul Rietmann, paulrietmann.com
• Susan Turpin, slturpin@me.com
• Sylvia Sepulveda, hadeninstitute.com/faculty/sylvia-sepulveda-2/
• Terry Shaughnessy, terrenceshaughnessy.com
• Group Spiritual Direction at Franciscan Spiritual Center: contact Ann Steigerwald, ann@francisspctr.com