St Johns Bridge in Portland

Featured in the Newsletter

Lily growing in a field

Contemplative Outreach of Portland needs your help

The cost of maintaining our website, monthly e-news, and multiple Zoom accounts is costing about $2,500/year. COOP does not have a source of revenue to cover these expenses – at best, we break even on the events we sponsor.

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.

Painting of spiritual man standing on a cliff with a lantern

Find a Centering Prayer Group

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

a road going through bright falls leaves on trees

Enter the Silence: A Centering Prayer Retreat

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

Hybiscus Flower in full bloom

No Frills Second Sits

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

abstract painting

Spiritual Journey Course - Zoom

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

Contact councilcoordinating@gmail.com for login information.

artwork: Marguerite Laing, Ground of Being II

St. Francis and the Wolf

Introduction to the Welcoming Prayer

Saturday, March 2, 2024, 9:30-12:30
In-Person

Welcoming Prayer is a practice of consent-on-the-go. We will learn how to feel and sink into our physical and emotional reactions to daily life, and welcome God into our experience,

Our presenter is Vicki Hess-Smith, who was mentored by Mary Dwyer, from CO-Ltd.

Franciscan Spiritual Center
Marylhurst Commons

suggested donation $20, at the door

woman praying near the forest

2024 United in Prayer Day

March 8 – 9, 2024

A free, globally-hosted 23-hour vigil accessible via Zoom; all are invited to participate.

A schedule and Zoom link will be posted the week prior to the event.

photo: shannia-christanty

berries growing on a tree in the woods

Introduction to The Forgiveness Prayer

March 16, 2024 – Online Via Zoom

This workshop will teach the practice of The Forgiveness Prayer.  Is there someone in your life whom you find difficult to forgive?  The Prayer of Forgiveness is a powerful prayer that can help you forgive at the deepest level of your being. 

Chair by a window overlooking a forest

Introduction to the Welcoming Prayer

Saturday, March 16, 2024, 9 am-12 pm
In Person

Welcoming Prayer is a practice of consent-on-the-go. We will learn how to feel and sink into our physical and emotional reactions to daily life, and welcome God into our experience, 

Our presenter is Vicki Hess-Smith, who was mentored by Mary Dwyer, from CO-Ltd.

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
147 NW 19th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

Email przimmer@comcast.net

photo: Benneth Husted

The Very Rev. Michael Battle, Ph.D.

The Very Rev. Michael Battle

Saturday, March 23, 2024
Online via Zoom
8:00 am – 2:00 pm Pacific Time

“The essence of African Christian mysticism (founded in the desert tradition of monasticism) is not taught but caught.” – Michael Battle

Online Cost: $60

Scholarships are available

Moraine Lake in Canada

Calling Certified Spiritual Directors

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.

stones stacked by the sea

Introduction to Centering Prayer In Person

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.

Hilma af Klint Altarpiece

Word of the Week

“Epiphany is the Christian celebration of what our brothers and sisters in other religions call enlightenment.

Enlightenment is the inward realization and consciousness of being identified with who we really are. We are not our false selves or egos. Kiss them goodbye. They have no future. We have to have an ego in some degree to function in this life, but the most important aspect of our life is the epiphany or revelation of God that is going on all the time in the details of life.”

– Thomas Keating,

artwork: Hilma af Klint, Altarpiece

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