St. Cuthbert’s Church has a long standing appreciation for and commitment to the contemplative and mystical Christian tradition. In our harried and busy world, people need time to slow down and to center in silence. To help this process and to celebrate our East-West connections, in January 2005 St. Cuthbert’s starting celebrating a Contemplative Mass at its usual 8 a.m. Sunday morning service.
The format of the Contemplative Mass is as follows: Opening benediction and collect, a brief confession/absolution, the Peace, body work/stretching; Gospel; sung chant; 20 minutes of silent meditation (beginning and ending with a Tibetan bell); intercessions; the Eucharist and communion; 5 minutes of silence; post-communion prayer and dismissal. Afterwards we meet for coffee/tea and coffee cake. People of all faiths are encouraged to attend. (There is no child care, but there is a play room adjacent to the sanctuary with a large window looking in.)
One 90 year old member of our 8 a.m. service, who formerly had been devoted to the 1928 BCP, said (after experiencing our Contemplative Mass for several weeks), “This service has brought me closer to God than any other in my life!” Come and see for yourselves – 8 a.m. every Sunday.
Contemplative Mass
We meet every Sunday at 8am
When:
Every Sunday 8am - 9am
What:
This weekly group includes body work & stretching, chant, Gospel, 20 minutes Centering Prayer followed by Eucharist. Open to people of all faiths.
Where:
St. Cuthbert's Episcopal Church (at Keller Ave.)
7932 Mountain Blvd.
Oakland 94605
Contact:
The Rev. Pamela Cranston or Shivaun at: (510) 635-4949or email: stcuddy@aol.com
For an explanation of Centering Prayer see the Centering Prayer Guidelines brochure.
For further information, click on to Contemplative Outreach: www.centeringprayer.com
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