December Newsletter

Here we are in December!

May the Divine Presence wrap and enfold you in this time of reflection, darkness, and anticipation. In the Northern Hemisphere, we are entering winter and in the Christian tradition it is the time of Advent. We are awaiting the Light of the World to be born in us!

Below you’ll find various offerings from the Journey Center Association. See what the Spirit is inviting you into. 

ARTS, CREATIVITY AND SPIRITUALITY- another pathway to encountering the Holy

Journey Center Online
www.journeycenter.org

For many years before the pandemic, Joanna and John Quintrell + Dan and Lisa Beach organized and facilitated group experiences for those who love live theater, especially at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. Perhaps you, too, have experienced profound moments of insight or joy while marveling at the power of story and the giftedness of the actors on the stage (and those behind the scenes) who bring the story to life.  

To celebrate the 90th year of the Festival, another group trip is being organized and includes gatherings (in person and online) to read a couple of the plays before the trip. This is an added bonus to the experience- the blessing and fun of community! We continue the experience of community when in Ashland through group meals and activities, including the options of walks in beautiful Lithia Park and a prayer labyrinth walk.

The trip is planned for the fall of 2025 (October 10-13) AND now is the time to get tickets and secure lodging, as the Festival is famous for excellent theater offered in repertory.  Tickets orders are handled through the Quintrell’s membership to allow for returns, exchanges and wait list priority. Here is the link to OSF’s website where you can see the 2025 season’s offerings: https://www.osfashland.org/en/season/2025/2025-season-announcement.aspx

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Joanna at joanna@journeycenter.org and she will give you detailed information to help you decide if this experience is for you. We hope you can join us!

Journey Center Santa Rosa
www.journeycentersantarosa.org

December 15, 2024
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm PST

We invite you to join us in community as we hold space for the joy, sorrow, delight and challenges of this season and of this world. It will be a simple format of reading some reflections from Weary World by Kathy Escobar and then holding space for each other.  RSVP here to receive the Zoom link.

Saturday Dec 28, 2024
2:00pm – 4:00pm PST

As we come to the end of 2024, we have plenty to reflect on…. We’d like to create space to also welcome the Presence of God in the midst of all this through the ancient practice of Examen and then express what the Spirit is stirring in us through art journaling. Where have we been drawn closer to Divine Mystery? When has God felt distant? What are you being called into in 2025?

If you have some simple art supplies at home and would prefer to join us by Zoom, you can join us! If you are able to join us in person, we will gather in the Journey Center room at 636 Cherry St. Art supplies provided. Register here and pay what you can.

Journey Center Chicago
https://journeycenterofchicago.org/

Spiritual Direction is at the heart of who we are and what we offer. We hold sacred space for people as we accompany them on their spiritual journey.
 Training others to be able to do that is also something that is at the core of who we are. JCOC’s next Spiritual Direction Cohort is scheduled to begin for September 2025.
We are receiving applications now. To learn more: click here: https://journeycenterofchicago.org/offerings/spiritual-direction-training-program/

Journey Center Michigan
https://journeycenterofmichigan.org

Tuesday, December 17, 2024
7:30-8:30pm EST 

Join spiritual director, Megan O’Neill,  as she leads us through Imaginative Prayer in anticipation of the Birth of Love and Hope. Megan will use the familiar story of the season as she joins the Spirit in offering you something just for you, for this unique time. We hope you will join us. RSVP at info@journeycenterofmichigan.org. This virtual event is free.

Would you consider making a donation to support the work of the Journey Center Association?