Dear Friends,

  We in southeast Texas know that if seeds and new plants aren't in the ground by now, it's too late to start unless it can be done indoors with climate control.

People, like plants, need good places to grow as well. Thankfully, Middleway is a place with the right conditions for nurturing your soul.

Plant yourself at one of our events or just come on your own during any of our regular hours. We're the best place to encourage your soul to grow this summer.

Book Club April

In-person and on Zoom

Are communities of people necessary? This novel gives a look at "just how vital communities can be. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store takes place in small town Chicken Hill, Pa. where Black, Jewish, and European immigrants, rich and poor, old and young, collide—defending, fighting, entertaining, feeding, and sheltering one another. This cacophonous melody of characters with all of their schemes and dreams reveal how home is where you make it—and how all of these 'outsiders' are anything but."

 Join us for great conversation on the book Tuesday, May 21, at 6 p.m. Come in person, or join us via zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85791528587?pwd=UU9EcDRYeFFiaVRmc1lNS2VIdnNhUT09

Meeting ID: 857 9152 8587

Passcode: 431978

BCS-Area Spiritual Directors Gathering

Aneya Elbert will lead the BCS-Area Spiritual Directors Wednesday May 22, at noon, with a poem and a discussion on "gathering," 

All spiritual directors are encouraged to attend, regardless of affiliation with Middleway. The purpose is to encourage and support the ministry of listening to the souls of others with a holy ear. Participants are welcome to bring a lunch to the gathering.
 

Friday Meditation and Mindfulness

Center yourself and find peace in the midst of your busy life. Friday Meditation and Mindfulness, led by Becky Burks, meets monthly at 12:30 p.m. The next times: Friday, June 21 and July 19.

Learn to listen with a holy ear

Active listening: being heard and learning to listen deeply to others is a gift.

When stories are shared about one's journey in life, it reaches the core of our souls.

Middleway Urban Monastery, guided by a community of spiritual directors, hosts FIND - School for Spiritual Direction and Formation to train people in the art of spiritual direction and formation.

People attend from across Texas as well as from neighboring states. Applications are being accepted now. Learn more by clicking the button.  

Religion in Aggieland Displayed

From May to August, Middleway is hosting a display of unique religious items found at thrift stores and resale markets in and around the Brazos Valley.

“Finding Religion in Aggieland” is part of a project led by spiritual director Heidi Campbell, who is studying where religion shows up in thrift stores and what stories secondhand culture tells about contemporary religion in Texas.

Each month new items will be added to the display related to a theme about prayer.   

• May-Prayer Beads and Sacred Symbols

• June-Prayers Stools and Tools

• July- Icons and devotional objects

• August - Unexpected Religion

Are you Done?

From May through August the “Dones Group” will meet the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. (June 5, July 3 & August 7) at Middleway. This group is for anyone who is looking for spiritual community outside the traditional structures of a church or formal religious organization. Is faith an important part of your life, but you feel that you are “done” with church?  If so, come meet with others on a similar journey.

Summer events - mark your calendars

Several special events are set for the summer at Middleway.

In addition to the ongoing displays - described above in this newsletter and , viewable daily - we have two retreats set.

July 20 - Spirituality of Breadmaking - Decorated Focaccia, 9:30 a.m.-Noon. A delectable Italian bread decorated with fresh seasonal herbs and vegetables, with a good mix of rest and meditation mixed in. Led by Kathleen Phillips

Aug. 17 - Soul Collage - a prayer discipline with time for creating and reading prayer cards in community. This event will be the beginning of a monthly time for creating collages as a prayer technique. Led by Harriet Knowles of Sun City.

Registration for these events will begin soon.

Drum Circle and Chanting taking break for summer

Drum Circle Meditation and Chanting the Psalms with Contemplative Sit will skip a beat this summer. There will be no gatherings in June or July.