Our Wednesday evening Contemplative Eucharist follows the basic outline of the Christian liturgy of Holy Communion but allows time and space for quiet and meditiation.

We live in a world of wall-to-wall noise and many people's lives are filled with stress and little time to simply breathe and "be." This Contemplative Eucharist provides an opportunity to gather with others for a time of spiritual refreshment and renewal.

Though many Christians have been taught that prayer involves active speaking to God, current spirituality is reminding us of the importance of listening and taking a passive stance of openness inthe midst of the divine presence. Most religions have some form of meditation or contemplative prayer, in which there is a focus on breathing, being still, and dwelling in the present moment. As Westerners, we often find it very difficult to quiet our minds, yet the result of such a practice can be deeply rewarding for our bodies, minds, and souls.

This liturgy will have one or more periods of silence. During this time, allow yourself to simply dwell in the present moment. You may choose to concentrate on your breath, or to use a sacred word, sometimes called a "mantra." When your mind wanders, simply return to the breath or the sacred word. The discipline of contemplative prayer takes time and practice, so there is no need to feel bad if your mind wanders or you don''t seem to be "getting anything out of it." There is no goal; that is the point--to learn how to dwell in the present moment and to be mindful of all the gifts of life in your breath, in each other, and in the world.

In the second half of the service, we will gather around the altar for the communion liturgy. All baptized Christians are welcome to share in holy communion.