Contemplative Outreach Chicago

To all Chicago-area centering prayer practitioners:

I invite you to consider becoming a centering prayer group facilitator for those incarcerated at Cook County jail. The jail has a very strong advocacy of mental health as well as spiritual support for those men and women in their care. This can be a very grace filled and transforming ministry for those who participate as facilitators. We are always accompanied by at least one other volunteer and our format and materials are provided by years of experience with these groups.

My name is Alan Krema and I am welcoming you to our new Centering Prayer group to be formed in collaboration with Kolbe House Jail Ministry. This will be the third year of this program. Our goal is to provide accompaniment and discernment for those who may be interested to volunteer as a centering prayer facilitator in Cook County jail.

If you think you may be interested, you are welcome to join us.

Our format will be to hold six monthly zoom gatherings. Each session will have centering prayer, a short video of incarcerated individuals engaged in the prayer, a reading from jail ministry books, and time for sharing the wisdom of transformation experienced in the practice of centering prayer.

The only requirement for participation is for you to come with a desire to know your self and to engage in the mystery of your relationship to God.

Our first Zoom meeting will be on Wednesday March 11, 4:00 - 5:30 pm. We will meet once per month with the goal of helping those interested apply for Cook County jail credentials in August. For anyone new to centering prayer or wanting a refresher, we will hold two sessions separately for the introduction to centering prayer. The date and time of these sessions will be determined later.

If your are interested in joining us or have questions, please contact [email protected].