Christos News
For the Christos Community

April 2013 Newsletter

March 2013 Newsletter

February 2013-Newsletter

January 2013-Newsletter

December 2012-Newsletter

November 2012-Newsletter

August 2012-Newsletter

July 2012-Newsletter

June 2012-Newsletter

February 2012

Memory Loss Series: "The series has been wonderful in respect to touching the heart of the issue. I have a strong sense that caring for a person with memory loss requires me to continue to be present to them in the same way I would be present to anyone else. Even though he or she may be unable to communicate, I believe their inner person knows that they are being cared for. The longer I live, the more I believe that being present to God in the moment is possibly the most important thing I can learn in this life--no matter what presents itself--God is faithful."
Mariann Stangeland, Memory Loss Attendee

MEMORY LOSS SERIES
My heart is full of gratitude to the planning team and the speakers responsible for the Memory Loss Series. Mariann expresses what most of us felt as we listened to the speakers. Through the expertise of Debbie Richman, of the Alzheimer's Association, we learned about the disease, its progress, and the current methods of diagnosis. Tom and Julie Allen shared their story of Julie's diagnosis of early on-set Alzheimer's. With sincerity, depth, and humor, they shared how they are living with the disease--day by day. Spiritual director, Clodie Harrell addressed the issues of faith in the midst of memory loss, and she interviewed Judy Johnson, whose mother died two years ago of the disease and whose father also has Alzheimer's. Judy shared stories of the tears, humor, and faith of a family.

Between 70-80 people have attended each of the first two sessions. Several attendees were people in various stages of dementia. I spoke with a few, and they were grateful for the faith perspective of the evenings. There is one session left: this Monday, February 20th from 7:00-9:00 pm at Chandler Place, 3701 Chandler Drive. St. Anthony Village, MN. The speakers will include Steve Arnold, spiritual director and chaplain at St. Anthony Senior Living, and Tom and Julie Allen. The topic is "Spiritual Care: Walking the Journey of Dementia." No need to register, and there is no cost.

January 2012

A reading from our recent Christmas Quiet Service: "Eternal Friend, grant me an ease to breathe deeply of this moment, this light, this miracle of now. Beneath the din and fury of great movements and harsh news and urgent crises, make me attentive to the good news, to small occasions, to the grace of what is possible for me to be, to do, to give, and to receive."
Ted Loder

On behalf of the Christos staff and board of directors, we wish you joy, quiet moments, and the presence of the New Born--during this time of Christmas.

CHRISTOS CENTER ON FACEBOOK
this New Year has brought a new medium for communicating the Christos "message." Through the request of those in our community who are in their 30's and 40's, the Christos staff and board went through a discernment process regarding social networking. We concluded that a Facebook page was the way to begin. A page is different from a personal profile because it is created for organizations. So...check out our Facebook page. You do not need to be on Facebook to look at out page. Just go to www.facebook.com/christoscenter (or you can just press the ctrl key and left click the mouse, and you will be magically transported there!) If you are on Facebook, you can post short messages or respond to messages posted there, and we invite you to "like" our page. This medium is new to us, so we'll be learning as we create, and updates will be made frequently.

November 2011

Life around Christos:  Life has been moving in both active and contemplative ways here at Christos.  The Tending the Holy spiritual direction preparation class of 2013 had their silent retreat this past weekend at the Abbey Guesthouse on the campus of St. John’s University.  The theme was, “Lord, Teach Us to Pray.”  The entire class was able to be present, including our distance learners----who have been using Skype for their group work.  So we now have the capability of doing groups in “real time.”

Last week our entire staff went to a Social Networking Boot Camp focused on church and para-church organizations.  A wealth of information was offered, so it was not a contemplative experience.  However, all of us gained a better understanding of the potential uses of Facebook and other tools.  At the request of the younger members of our Christos community, the staff and the board are in a discernment process regarding Christos’ participation in social networking. 

Fall 2011

New Beginnings, New Discoveries

The other day, I looked at a Periodic Table---you know that chart we had to memorize in high school chemistry, the one with the letters that symbolized the elements: C Carbon, O Oxygen, Fe Iron (How did Iron become Fe?) Anyway, please know that I don't look at the Periodic Table everyday like I read the newspaper. (Ah...I've finished the paper; now I can move on to the Periodic Table.) But there it was on the wall in the notification section of the library, and as I looked at it, I noticed that there are many more elements today than there were decades ago. I suppose some of you knew that already, but for me this was a huge revelation.

So why am I writing about this, and what does the Periodic Table have to do with our life of faith? (Stay with me here.) All those new elements make me think about God (and the fact that I'm glad I'm not in high school today having to memorize so many symbols.) To me, God is a being waiting to be further discovered. Yes, I know God is mystery, but I believe we are invited to explore that mystery. Don't we all catch glimpses of God in our daily lives. And those encounters offer us a sacred likeness of the Creator---and an invitation to bask in that Presence.

As Christos begins a new academic year, I'm excited about all the ways for you to further discover God: spiritual direction, retreats, workshops, programs, and quiet evenings. Explore the home page on all our offerings.

Christos Spiritfest Report

Over 40 people were present to celebrate the ministry, to hear about our work, and to purchase books. A few people spoke about the ministry of Christos, its history and the impact on their lives. Themes that emerged: Christos began as a community of people seeking a deeper relationship with God. Christos is still a community, a safe place where people can come and feel a connection. Christos is also a "nesting place" where people can embrace the spiritual transformation they seek. The book sale and the contributions that evening bore fruit. A total of $1149 was collected. I wish to thank the board of directors for sponsoring this event.

A Final Note: Congratulations to Christos board member, Ben Lindwall, for being invited to serve on the board of directors of the Friends of J. Philip Newell. Philip is an author and speaker and is internationally known for his work on Celtic Christianity.

Newest Edition of Thin Places: I had the privilege of writing the lead article/meditation for the Sept./Oct./Nov./ issue. View it online, or subscribe: www.thinplaces.us Click on publications. It's an excellent resource!

God' Gracious Peace,

Pat Hendricks
Executive Director

August 16, 2011

Radiate God's Presence Into The World

Gracious God:  May we who have born the fruit of the Spirit, radiate your presence into the world.  May we walk and co-create with you.  

Dear Christos Community:

It’s been a difficult summer for me.  Perhaps you have felt it as well.  Heat, humidity, the unrest among our state and national leaders, and the continued challenges in the world---war, famine, drought.  I have had to work very hard to keep myself “up” despite the heaviness I feel in our culture.  Maybe you have too. Three things have helped me this summer:  1. Prayer and meditation, such as the one above.  2.  A firm conviction that I am loved and appointed by God to be God’s presence in this world, in my own unique way.  3.  And, people---community. 

With fall coming, we will once again have cool breezes and new beginnings---with the possibility of learning new ways to walk and co-create with God.  I sense the freshness of beginnings here at Christos.  It feels like a new wave of God’s Spirit among us. Join me in anticipation of new ways God may be moving among us.

God's Blessings on each of you,

Pat Hendricks
Executive Director
Christos Center for Spiritual Formation

May 24, 2011

Greetings Alumni, Current Participants, and Special Friends:

In his book, Anam Cara, John O'Donohue says, "May you recognize in your life the presence, power, and light of your soul."  These words formed the theme of the graduation retreat for the Tending the Holy class of 2011 here in the Minnesota. I believe these words are for all of us as well.  At times we all need to be reminded that we possess Christ's light and presence in our souls, and that light and presence are to be nurtured so we can share Christ with this hungry and hurting world.  We are also to be reminded that we have the power, given to us through the Holy Spirit, to act in Jesus' name.  It is this holy power that gives us courage, informs our prayer, and keeps us strong in our faith.
 
New Spiritual Direction Program Graduates:  I'm pleased to announce that we have added 28 women and men to Christos' Tending the Holy alumni network.  Seventeen graduated on May 14th from the following locations in Minnesota: Northfield, Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Delano, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Circle Pines, Minnetonka, Spring Park, Victoria, St.Paul, and Minneapolis.  And from other states:  Marshall, Michigan and Amesbury, Massachusetts. I wish to thank those who journeyed with this class of 2011 for one year or both years:  Gale Fleischman, Lisa Harrell, Steve Arnold, Dee Menning, and Dan Johnson. I journeyed with this class as well serving as a facilitator and as the coordinator.
 
On June 5th, ChristosChicago will graduate 11 men and women from the following cities in Illinois:  Barrington, Plano, Naperville, Chicago, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Clarendon Hills, Evanston, and Lombard.  Journeying with this group for one or both years were:  Jessie Vicha, Wai-Chin Matsuoka, Donna Scott, and Don Vicha.  Jessie, Wai-Chin, and Donna also helped coordinate the program.  Thanks to each of you.  And congratulations to all our new graduates!
 
Note:  We are accepting applications for the fall Tending the Holy: Preparation for the Ministry of Spiritual Direction program.  Please invite anyone you know, who might be interested, to contact me or to visit our web page. Thanks.  You are Christos ambassadors.
 
Save the Date:  Alice Fryling is coming Saturday, October 8th!  Alice Fryling, a Christos graduate from the Chicago area, is the author of Seeking God Together:  An Introduction to Group Spiritual Direction.  This event is sponsored by Christos, and Alice will be addressing the topic:  how to offer group spiritual direction in a church setting.  The location of this all day workshop will be Nativity Lutheran Church in St. Anthony, MN.  We are excited about this offering, and there will be more information later in the summer through my newsletters and on our web page. 

Save Another Date:  Christos founder, Joann Nesser, will be leading a workshop/retreat on Saturday, November 5th at Christos.  Her topic will be Spiritual Life in the Third Age. There will be opportunity for discussion, dialogue, questions and personal experiences around this topic with Joann. You won't want to miss this one.

God's Peace,
 
Pat 
 
Patricia Hendricks, Executive Director
Christos Center for Spiritual Direction 

February 28, 2011

God's Promise of Light

Over the past three months, the expanse of our country has been in the path of multiple winter storms.  Lately, I've been searching for ways to see the hope of spring during these cold, snowy, dark days. I'm heartened by the fact that the mid-west is gaining two minutes of daylight per day.  That's hope!  I've also found hope in the words of the prophet Isaiah, "No longer will the sun need to be your light by day, or the moon by night.  I, the Lord, will be your eternal light.  The light of my glory will shine on you."  (60:19)

Eternal light: Now there's a truth that creates hope!  In the midst of darkness, God's presence brings light.  The glory of the Creator, the Christ, and the Spirit bears promise. In the winter, however, those assurances seem to be more subtle, and we have to pay close attention.  There is promise in the deep winter.  Perhaps the promise is noticed in quiet prayer, reflection, or retreat.  Or maybe the promise is experienced in community, heartfelt thanksgiving, and authentic praise.  How ever God’s light touches us during these days, we can know that the light will never dim with the seasons.  It is eternal.

Pat

Patricia Hendricks, Executive Director
Christos Center for Spiritual Direction

January 20, 2011 

Learning from the Source
 
In my last email newsletter, I invited you to watch for the new thing God may be about as this new year unfolds.  A couple of you emailed back saying that you are being drawn to deeper prayer.  That is what I am moved to explore as well.  Today, just for fun, I looked at Amazon.com to see how many books there are with the word, prayer, in the title.  Amazon listed 123,084.  I didn't try to count all the web
pages devoted to Christian prayer.
 
Lately I've become overwhelmed with all the catalogs and email notices that come to me advertising new books on prayer.  (Please know, I'm not opposed to new books on prayer.  I've learned volumes through others' experiences.) But, I've decided to set aside books for a time and go to the Source.  I am spending time in the gospels, paying particular attention to how Jesus prayed. I've noticed that He prayed
for people and situations.  He prayed for healing and against evil. Jesus cried out in prayer over Jerusalem and on the cross. He spent considerable amount of time alone in the silence.  He prayed in the synagogue, in people's homes, and on the road as he walked from place to place. My plan in the coming weeks/months is to select one passage, every couple of days.  I want to immerse myself in that passage and learn from the Source of my faith. If this appeals to you,  I invite you to find places in the gospels that speak to you about prayer; then stay with the ones that form you. Let us be open to all that might happen!

Pat

Patricia Hendricks, Executive Director
Christos Center for Spiritual Formation

January 2, 2011

Watch for the New Thing
 
Watch for the new thing I am going to do. 
It is happening already, you can see it now. 
(Isaiah 43:19)
 
I've been pondering this scripture for several weeks and have wondered what this means for myself and for those of us who are connected to Christos.  Sometimes the beginning of a New Year invites us to take a look at our lives and make an attempt to change an attitude or a behavior; or to adopt a new way of being.  Sometimes
the cold and darkness of January (for those of us in northern climates) can be a time when our surroundings are quiet, and we can more easily enter the reflective process.  And, sometimes the early weeks of a new year become a time of rest, a kind of hibernation from busy activity, to pay more attention to God in our midst. 
 
Often, however, the beginning of a New Year, prompts the expectation of new possibilities.  It is a time to watch for the new thing God is doing in our midst and in each of us individually.  I invite you to join me and be on watch as this year begins.  I invite you to practice ways to quiet yourselves so you can hear the Spirit's promptings.  I invite you to sit with this scripture in prayer and listen for that new thing. 

Pat

Patricia Hendricks, Executive Director
Christos Center For Spiritual Formation