Religion briefly: Workshop about centering prayer planned

Workshop about centering prayer planned

Northern Nevada Contemplative Outreach Organization is presenting an introductory workshop about centering prayer, a method of consenting to God’s presence and action, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 305 N. Minnesota St.

According to Fr. Thomas Keating, a founder of the centering prayer method, “Centering Prayer is the opening of mind and heart, body and feeling — our whole being — to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond words, thoughts and emotions.”

The workshop includes talks by presenters and videos by Keating. Participants will practice centering prayer, and there will be a time for questions and discussions. Follow-up sessions are planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, April 23 and 30, and Monday, May 4.

The cost is $40, which includes Keating’s book “Open Mind, Open Heart.” Scholarships are available for anyone who cannot afford the fee; no one will be turned away due to inability to pay.

Coffee, tea and refreshments will be provided, but attendees are asked to bring their own lunch.

For more information about centering prayer, go to www.comtemplativeoutreach.org. For information about the workshop or to register, call Freddie at 775-883-3352.

St. Gall hosting annual spring rummage sale

Warm cups of coffee and donuts will be offered at St. Gall Catholic Church’s annual spring rummage sale from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 24, and from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 25.

A car wash to support the church’s youth group will be on Saturday.

St. Gall Catholic Church is at 1343 Centerville Lane in Gardnerville.

For more information, call 775-782-2852.

Event planned to explore God through multi-faith lens

“Looking for God,” a discussion in seven weekly sessions about religion and God led by experts of multiple religions and denominations, is launching May 6 in Minden.

Organized by Shelby’s Book Shoppe owner Linda Finch and religious statesman Rajan Zed, the event’s aim is to provide a platform for Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish leaders to give presentations about their faith and answer questions from a diverse audience.

Speakers include: Kenneth G. Lucey, professor of religion at University of Nevada, Reno; Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism; Nathan Mamo, a Roman Catholic priest; Evon J. Yakar, a Jewish Rabbi; Tony Hoefner, pastor of United Methodist Church; Sherif A. Elfass, president of Northern Nevada Muslim Community; and Jikai’ Phil Bryan, a Buddhist priest and meditation guide.

Event organizers hope the event will promote interfaith harmony and unity and encourage interreligious dialogue and cooperation.

The free, one-and-a-half-hour-long sessions will be at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, May 6 to June 17, at 88 Cups, 1663 Lucerne St., Minden.

For more information, call Linda Finch at 775-782-5484, or email shelbysbooks@aol.com.

Free class about Buddhist meditation offered

Christy Tews and Steve Swartz will lead a five-week class about basic techniques of insight meditation according to the early teachings of the Buddha.

The free sessions will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 21 and 28, and May 5, 12 and 19 in 1st United Methodist Church’s youth group building, 213 N. Minnesota St., at the corner of Minnesota and Proctor streets.

The class will focus on deepening presence and aliveness; therefore, anyone can attend, including those who aren’t Buddhist. Beginning to experienced meditators are welcome.

Donations are accepted to help cover the cost to rent the facility, but no one is turned away due to inability to pay. Couches and chairs are available; attendees who want to sit on the floor are welcome to bring their own cushion.

For more information or to register, contact Mark Breedon at mvbreedon@gmail.com.