Dear Friends,

  Occasionally someone posts on a popular local Facebook group a request for places, activities, or events because they're expecting visitors and need ideas to spend time in fun and meaningful ways.

If this is you, put Middleway on the itinerary. The monastery extends hospitality with refreshments, reading areas, a lending library and a fully stocked art area, and more - all for free - and all are welcome.

In addition to our regular open hours, we have some great events coming up this summer. Read all about them below.

You might find you want to spend more time there yourself, and we'd love you to volunteer. Find out how below.

Religion in Aggieland Displayed

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

  June focuses on prayer stools and tools. July's exhibit of Icons and devotional objects will be discussed July 3 at 6:30 p.m.

“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's jewels and beads are still on exhibit with June's prayer 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. (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.

Book Club July

In-person and on Zoom

Fact and fiction are combined to tell this story of how C.S. Lewis was inspired to write "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." The book intersperses visits a college student made for tea with Lewis and his brother in order to find out the inspiration for Narnia. She's on this mission at the request of her ailing little brother, with whom she shares the stories Lewis tells of his childhood.

 Join us for great conversation on the book Tuesday, July 16, 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

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 time: Friday, July 19.

Spirituality of Breadmaking

Decorated Focaccia

  Delicious, fresh herbs and vegetables will become art on a delectable focaccia "canvas" July 20 at summer's Spirituality of Breadmaking class.

The event is 9:30 a.m.-Noon. Everyone leaves with a ready-to-bake loaf. Registration is required so that enough ingredients will be available. It's free, but donations are appreciated to pay for supplies.

Along with the beautiful Italian bread, participants will be treated to a good mix of rest and meditation mixed in, led by Kathleen Phillips.

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 until June 30. Learn more by clicking the button.