Two Mindfulness activities at The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Public ContentAnyone can view this post

Introduction to Mindfulness

An all-day introduction led by Deborah Cooper to the principles and practices of Mindfulness Meditation. (This session is not at St. Martin's but at Springboard Meditation Sangha, 530 Carpenter Lane.)

On Tuesdays, Deborah holds a weekly "mindfulness practice and discussion" from 6pm to 7:15pm at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Click here to download a flyer.

Mindfulness and White Privilege: An Anti-Racism Seminar for White People

This program will blend mindfulness practices with an engaged exploration of racial conditioning to help white people practice anti-racism with intention and self-understanding. With mindfulness practices we learn how to stay present and sit with what is true and what’s difficult, noticing our reactions with compassion, care and a wise heart.

Through this seminar, participants will:

  • Create a supportive community of white people to explore racism and privilege and learn how to interrupt their harmful effects.
  • Learn to lessen the grip of anger, guilt and fear and move toward using discomfort to foster self-awareness and honesty.
  • Learn how US racial history and government policies have shaped laws that have resulted in the systemic oppression of people of color.
  • Become aware of the construction of oppression and the role white people play in it.
  • Become aware of how people’s views impact their use of power and influence.

Schedule and Format:

  • Participants who are not familiar with Mindfulness Meditation are asked to attend a one-day Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation class on Jan. 7, 2017 from 10 am to 4 pm at Germantown Friends Meeting.
  • The six Sunday sessions will be held from 3 pm to 5:30 pm on Jan. 15 and 29, Feb. 12 and 26 and March 5 and 19 at The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martin’s Lane. The program ends with an all-day retreat on Saturday, April 8 from 10 am to 4 pm, also at St. Martin’s.
  • Meetings will include meditation, teachings, participant check-ins, experiential exercises, small group reflections and discussions.
  • Homework will include reading, videos, journaling and exercises.

Friends who are interested in participating, or who want more information, should contact Rebecca Heider (rebeccaheider@gmail.com) or Ellen Deacon (ellen.deacon@gmail.com) of Worship & Ministry Committee. There is a cost of $225 per person (previously announced as $330; Care & Counsel Committee can help with partial financial assistance. Even though this feels distant (next year, after all!), the people offering the program need to know soon whether they can fill the class of 18.

See the Files section, below, for a link to a flyer you can download.

Share