Advent Prayer Retreat

December 4, 9-noon

                                    

Stop. Watch. Pay attention.               
                                                                                                                 

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin Adventus, which means “coming.” Over time, this season has taken on double meaning, referring both to the “first coming” of Jesus in his birth at Christmas and to the final coming of Christ at the end of time. In the language of Godly Play, Advent is a time of getting ready to enter a mystery. You see, a King is coming, but he is not the kind of king that people thought was coming. This King had no army, no great house, and no riches. This King was a baby who was born in a barn.
 
The King who was coming is still coming. This is full of mystery and a mystery can be hard to enter. That is why this time of Advent is so important. Sometimes people can walk right through a mystery and not even know it is there.
 
Being still, keeping watch, and waiting expectantly seems especially difficult this year when we are exhausted, anxious, isolated, and increasingly numb to the staggering toll of the global pandemic and the intransigence of white supremacy. This half-day retreat is designed to help us stop, watch, and pay attention.
 
Come catch your breath and take some time to connect with yourself and with God in this season of Advent. Check-in opens at 8:45 and the retreat begins with morning prayer at 9am. There will be ample time for stillness, silent mediation, and private prayer punctuated by periods of guided reflection and corporate prayer.         
Please sign up here to reserve a place: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094BA8A92EA5FC1-advent
 
Questions? Contact Mandy Taylor-Montoya (mandytm@stmichaelsabq.org).