PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2012-2013                                                                                                                                Contact Person: Val Harvey (harveyvj@hotmail.com) 905-628-6572 

Psalm 46:10 exhorts its hearers to “Be Still and Know that God is God.” This is a greater challenge for us in 2012 than when the psalmist wrote these words….to slow down….to pull away from the busyness and distractions of life and ministry, to be still…..and just to be with God so we can hear His voice. There are many different ways to pray and to connect with God. Join us for the following......

PRAYER BESIDE THE WATER.......

On Monday, September 24, at 7 pm, we are meeting at Bayfront Park (bottom of Bay St. N; back of the parking lot) for an hour & half of quiet prayer.  You can sit or walk as you reflect and pray with various scriptures related to water and God's nourishing, sustaining, and calming (these will be all provided for you!!).  Come away and be refreshed........ If you need more information, contact Val Harvey

 

SACRED RHYTHMS: Arranging our Lives for Spiritual Transformation                                                  Ruth Haley Barton (IVP, 2006)    (if you are not able to attend all sessions, come to what you can…..)

Throughout this year, we invite you to join others who want to deepen their relationship with God and build in some new rhythms (spiritual practices) that will help them to hear from and respond to God.  Together, we’ll read Sacred Rhythms (1-2 chapters a month) and meet monthly.  We’ll focus on specific chapters, and pray and encourage one another.  All meetings are on Mondays, 7:00, in the Hub at PMC.

Oct 15/12       INTRODUCTION

Nov 12/12       LONGING FOR MORE: An Invitation to Spiritual Transformation

Dec 10/12       SOLITUDE: Creating Space for God

Jan 14/13       SCRIPTURE: Encountering God Through Lectio Divina                             PRAYER: Deepening our Intimacy with God

Feb 11/13        HONOURING THE BODY: Flesh-and-Blood Spirituality                           SELF-EXAMINATION: Bringing My Whole Self Before God

March 11/13       DISCERNMENT: Recognizing and Responding to the Presence of God    SABBATH: Establishing Rhythms of Work and Rest

April 8/13          A RULE OF LIFE: Cultivating Rhythms for Spiritual Transformation

You can download a book, order one yourself, or let me know if you would like a book ($13).      Contact Val Harvey (harveyvj@hotmail.com) by September 23/12

 

ADVENT RETREAT   -     Saturday, Dec 1/12 in the Hub at Philpott    8:30 - 11:30 am  

I am also available for spiritual direction, and to help plan customized prayer retreats for groups and individuals. Contact Val Harvey, harveyvj@hotmail.com

In Spiritual Direction, people meet together to talk about their relationship with God, how they are praying, and where God is present in their lives. What brings us together is our desire to become more aware of and responsive to God's love, presence and promptings in our lives.

                             

Prayer Events 2010-2011

Over this last year, we have tried to provide a number of opportunities to “be still” and to intentionally spend some quiet time with God, and with others.

In October 2011, we had an all-day Workshop/Retreat where we learned about different types of temperaments (from Myers-Briggs) and then had time to pray with different kinds of prayer that suited each type. Music from Sara Klinck, Marta Vandermarel, Sanson Paul, and Jacob Moon helped as we rayed.

On November 26/11, the focus of a morning Advent Retreat was “Let there be Light.” We used readings and scripture to stimulate and prompt our prayer, reflecting on the times in our lives where Jesus’ light has shone into our darkness.

The theme of the morning Lent Retreat in February 2012 was “Free to be Available to You.” Stations were set up so pray-ers could focus on Gifts, Prayer, and Fasting – with different scriptures and different types of prayers to guide them. Pourya Heidari played his sitar in the background for part of our prayer time.

Bryan Wylie and I planned the Good Friday Service, a "Journey to the Cross." In the service, we reflected on the final events leading up to Jesus' death, with art, readings, prayer, and music.  

“Prayer beside the Water” was scheduled for April 30, and was rained out twice. This has been rescheduled until September, and will take place at Bayfront Park, with scriptures and reflections related to water, focusing on how God meets us in the midst of rocky waves and still waters. Throughout the year, we have continued to provide some quiet, guided prayer times during Sunday services in response to the sermon.