Men as Learners and Elders
During
the year 2004, Saturday afternoons at
Upper McShain were filled with images
and stories of men yearning for a deeper
faith, who had bumped up against the
cross, who had confronted and embraced
their “shadow selves”, who had been in
the belly of the whale and had
experienced the call for transformation,
and who felt “marked” physically and spiritually to step up as Men of the Church and really participate as the broken and blessed body of Christ.
These Saturday afternoon sessions were led by two Men of Malvern who used a diagram of the Male Spiritual Journey to help those attending recognize the various patterns (both ascent and descent) present in our personal and collective male journeys. We discovered that the journey is mainly a movement from head (where WE strive for control, power and status) to heart and gut (characterized by trust, patience, surrender, holy abandonment, and compassion).
Our immediate goal is to create a community of Malvern men who are both interested in, and committed to, exploring the depths of their own spirituality and sharing this experience with other men.
Our goal then is to create a local community of “Learners and Elders”. Our families, our local communities, our church, our world is in desperate need of Men who want to explore these depths (as Learners) and share their experiences with other men (as Elders).
Picture a labyrinth. What is the “route” that we need to take as we the Men of Malvern step up and become Men as Learners and Elders? Perhaps the labyrinth will help us both picture and internalize this journey. The labyrinth is a way of learning and praying through movement instead of just through thinking. While walking the labyrinth, you are confronted with several turns as you bump up against the cross. You must simply remain on the path, your pilgrimage, your life.
The main idea is to let God teach you as you walk with Him.
Brothers, we are inviting you to join us on this walk.
We hold monthly meetings on the first Thursday of each month
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
In the Saint Joseph’s Hall Library (at the top of the hill)
There is no cost and no registration is necessary
Topic for Thursday, October 6th
The Power of NOW – The Power of
Centering Prayer.
Let us be present to the NOW. It’s all
we have and where God always speaks to
us. Our many fears, anxieties and
addictions often keep us from
experiencing the Present moment and the
beauty of experiencing God in all of our
daily activities.
Wake up! Get out of your mind! Be
present!
These important messages that have been
echoed by so many mystics and saints are
especially important for us today. We
are constantly bombarded by incessant
activity and noise from within and
without.
Our Male Spirituality session on
Thursday, October 6th will
focus on the power and grace of staying
in the present moment and offer insights
into one way (Centering Prayer) that we
can stop the constant activity of the
mind allowing us to be present to life,
truth, reality and God.
2005 Incarnational Weekend Retreat
Sunday, October 23 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Please mark the date on your calendar and watch for further information.
Men of Malvern – Men as Learner’s and Elder’s Mission
| • |
The creation of a community of men at Malvern committed to going deeper in their spiritual journey utilizing ritual practice and experiential journeying to the True self.
|
| • |
Building a structure of regular monthly gatherings and a yearly weekend retreat where Men can learn and practice the skills of LEARNERS and ELDERS.
|
| • |
The creation of a sacred space that prepares Men for a Male Rite of Initiation and gives them a home to come back to and continue the journey to the True Self.
|
Contacts:
Kevin Barr
(610) 291-3119 (cell)
1442 Cooper Circle
West Chester, PA 19380
|
Jim O'Neill
(610) 639-1385
1622 Bow Tree Drive
West Chester, PA 19380
|
Future correspondence will include literature, web-sites and local programs that we would like to offer to men for spiritual growth. We will be asking your advice as we compile this list.
Prosit! May it be of benefit to you!
Kevin and Jim
