By Greg CochranSacred space is any place where we sense and honor a greater presence. We have lived in sacred space on York Road for several years and now begin a transition to creation of a new sacred space.

At The Well we try to honor, live, and be aware of sacred space in our day-to-day operations and existence. We look for and sense the sacredness of the practical – mailings, scheduling, paying bills, email, etc. We recognize sacredness in greeting others, in programming, in selecting Daily Faith quotes, and in being in community with each other.

Sacred spaces are always present and available to us in all we do. This includes our physical location and environment. The Well will be paying special attention to this in the coming months. We are excited about moving to a new physical sacred space this spring – 400 West Pennsylvania Avenue – in the heart of Towson! We are filled with anticipation as we – along with you – help to create and welcome a new sacred space! In the coming months, you will be hearing more about the timing of our move and events to celebrate and bless our new space as well as a time to bless our current space as we leave it for the next tenant. Stay tuned and we invite you to be continually open and aware of the sacred spaces always present in the here and now!

By Maggie LearsWith the holidays behind us, now “tis the season for reflection, for pondering” - time to revel in the solitude of the soul. My first experience with Well for the Journey was a winter retreat weekend at the Bon Secours Spiritual Center several years ago. That first night I was given a small placard with the simple word “Ponder” on it. This has become my mantra for winter. The bareness of trees and sky, the chilled air, the short days and long dark nights lend themselves to pondering.

We have many formal places for reflections such as churches, temples and synagogues but many of us have our own sacred spaces that we turn to during these winter times. Your sacred space could be a small room in your house or a corner of a room where perhaps you have placed a scented candle or a special memento. It could be a place in nature that you often return to – beaches, mountains, streams, wooded glens etc. My favorite sacred space happens to be a labyrinth about a thirty minute drive from my house. I have visited this labyrinth often over the past fifteen years, sometimes going several times a month and sometimes getting there only several times a year. But, for me, it is holy ground and a place to be renewed.... Continued on next page

The Well’s New Sacred Space

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The Well’s New Sacred Space............................1

Winter Reflection............................................1, 2

What’s On Your Night Table?..............................2Silent Retreat Flunky......................................... 3

Late Winter and Spring Programs...Insert side 1 & 2Ireland Pilgrimage 2013..................Insert side 2

Winter 2013 Sacred Space

A resource seeking to sat isfy spir i tual thirst in community

QuenchWinter Reflection

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Winter Reflection con’t from page 1

A Silent Retreat Flunky Rethinks Silence

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... When I first started going to the labyrinth, I used to plan my reflection topics during the long drive. I am sure that God smiled. Now, I try to simply give in to wherever the Spirit leads me. Until recently, I had not been to the labyrinth in about six months. However, right now in my life, there is a considerable amount of chaos, turmoil and sadness. Several weeks ago, I felt compelled to return to my sacred space. Upon awakening that morning, I cancelled classes, meetings, advising etc and headed to the labyrinth hoping for some solace, some relief from grief, some answers from God. It was a good decision to go.

Walking a labyrinth involves four movements – on the threshold, journeying in, the resting place, and journeying

out. Of course, once again, when I was on the threshold I reflected on what I wanted from God yet by the time of the journeying out what I received from the experience in that sacred space was completely different, yet clearly what I needed.

I like to think of the labyrinth that resides within my own body as another sacred space –a space where I can access the light of God at any time and in any place. Each time I see The Well logo, I am reminded of this labyrinth within me and I start to breathe easier, more deeply and calmly. So, particularly during this winter season, we need to seek out our sacred spaces, our paths to inner peace. Ponder. Reflect. Listen. And all shall be well.

By Mabeth Hudson

“I’m never doing that again!” I announced to my husband, upon returning from a silent retreat weekend a few years ago. “I’m not wired for it. God created me an extrovert. I love conversation and laughter way too much!”

True Confession: I am a Silent Retreat Flunky.

So when The Well planned an “Introduction to Silent Retreat” led by Franklin Adkinson, a wise and gentle guide, I was intrigued but initially nixed the idea. Yet, something was gnawing at me. Should I give it another try? Saints, mystics and spiritual sages from all religious traditions instruct that silence is core to spiritual wellness and wholeness. Why I am resisting this so much? As Saturday approached, I faced a choice: go to Cape May with my husband and get to see the annual Christmas Parade…or try this silent retreat stuff again. At first blush the choice seemed perfectly obvious: seashore, festivities, parade! But silence was inviting me. Maybe I need to try this again.

After spending the day with seven other companions at a local retreat center, I’ve discovered that maybe I’m wired for silence after all (in small doses!). Being with other seekers was key. During introductions, one man admitted that this was his first attempt at a silent retreat,

adding that he was a terrible listener. Another expressed a desire to begin the Advent season with silence. One admitted coming simply out of curiosity. I am among good companions, I thought to myself. We were reminded that silence did not mean being alone; we were to hold each other in Light during our time together.

It was such a sweet day. I walked in nature, read, wrote, and had time to consider a family issue that was weighing on my heart. How moving to be with others in a way that was deeper than words – I knew these people without needing to speak with them. I noticed things that I ordinarily missed: the trees shedding their leaves, the taste of food, others’ presence, my own breath, the interconnectedness of life. Time seemed oddly suspended.

The centering effects of the silent retreat still linger days later. The Ravens’ loss to the Steelers hasn’t left me in a funk as it might have. An unfinished work project seems less urgent. Most importantly, I feel like I am kinder, gentler, and more in tune with those around me. Hmmm- it might have to become a holiday tradition.

Another Silent Retreat is planned for April 13, 2013 for anyone who wants to give it a try.

What’s On Your Night Table?A New Harmony: The Spirit, The Earth, and The Human Soul by John Philip Newell

Reviewed by Karen WrightIn his most recent book, John Philip Newell, noted Celtic theologian, and former warden of Iona abbey of Scotland, calls us to a vision of life’s essential oneness, to a new harmony as we confront the increasing fragmentation of our world today. John Philip points the way to a Christianity more integrated with the earth and all of humanity across cultures, races and nations. In this book, he describes a vision and a pathway toward transformation in our lives and the world.

The book’s three sections describe the ancient harmony that is deep in the matter of the universe: the brokenness of individuals, families, nations and species; and how we can help create a new harmony. He asks what the cost, both personal and collective, will be in releasing life’s essential oneness in radically new and transformative ways.

Throughout this book, John Philip describes an emerging awareness that he calls a “new Pentecost,” a “fresh outpouring of Spirit.” That same Spirit that breathed a new passion for oneness into the early followers of Jesus is at work today, he says, breathing a new vision of oneness into our awareness. He asks how we will serve this new and vast Pentecost that is stirring in us, this way of seeing all things as essentially interwoven, to see life and creation as one, fully interrelated.

John Philip emphasizes that “we will be well to the extent that we live in relationship with one another, in relationship to the whole, rather than serving the limited egos of our lives, nations and species.” He warns us that if we miss this moment, “choosing instead to continue our patterns of wronging the earth and one another, there will be a degradation of life on this planet like none we have ever known.” What will we choose? Which path will we follow?”

By Maggie Lears

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OUR ViSiON

Gathering…

Seeking the Source of

Wholeness and Life

Quenching a Common Thirst

Nurturing One Another.

In Community…

Being Nourished and

Renewed

Becoming Living Water

For Others in the World.

OUR MiSSiON

To encourage and support spiritual wellness in daily life through innovative programs and resources.

Kathy Baker, ChairGinny BarnhartMitchell BrownGreg Cochran, Executive DirectorJohn B. FrischMabeth Hudson, Co-founder

Robbin MarcusJulie MinchDonna Mollenkopf, Vice chairPete Partridge, TreasurerMari Quint, SecretaryKarren Ruppert

Quench is published quarterly by Well for the Journey, a nonprofit organization offering classes, small groups and resources for the spiritual life.

7600 York Road Towson, Maryland 21204Phone: 410.296.9355 wellforthejourney.orginfo@wellforthejourney.orgProject Director: Sutton Dischinger

BOARD OF DiRECTORS Well for the Journey 2012 - 13

Staff: Sutton Dischinger, Program and Volunteer Coordinator

CORE VAlUES

Bridging: Inviting people from different backgrounds and experiences into community while honoring each person’s uniqueness.

Reflecting: Taking time amidst the busy-ness of life to explore faith, find meaning, and grow into wholeness.

Discerning: Helping one another listen for and become open to, and respond to the lived experience of God.

Wellbeing: Tending the spiritual life as an integral part of wholeness in people and communities.

Reaching Out: Becoming more compassionate, creative, contemplative, and joyful in our relationships and our world.

Quench | Winter 2013

7600 York Road Towson, MD 21204