FEBRUARY 2010

I don't really like driving in snowy weather, with slippery road conditions, but yesterday I was aware as I was out in it, of how beautiful the fresh snow is. When it falls, it offers a quieting blanket of white that covers over dirty snow, making the landscape fresh, new, and clean.  As I was caught by the beauty of it, I experienced a quieting in my soul. I began to notice a peacefulness settling over me in the quiet stillness of the freshly falling snow. I was able to let go of the tight grip on the steering wheel, let go of thoughts of my destination, to enjoy the experience of peace that came from awareness of God's gift in that present moment. 

I invite you to come to the retreat that Restoration is offering on February 20. Dr. Glenn Myers will be facilitating our day and inviting us into an experience of deeper love and passion for Christ. God's love, compassion and mercy for people is demonstrated over and over again, and most clearly in God's action on our behalf at the cross through the death (and resurrection) of Jesus Christ. Christ became the sacrifice for our sin (that which keeps us separated and disconnected from God), so that we can experience restoration into communion, fellowship and peace with God.

Atonement--at one with God--accomplished for us. Like dirty snow, our sins are covered over by the blood of Christ, making us fresh, new, and clean. We get to receive this gift of forgiveness, freedom and newness of life. Stop for a moment, see anew what is being offered. Let go of the tight grip on your own life and destination. Receive from God this gracious gift and let him be your way and your life. 

LENTEN RETREAT
Drawn into Love with Christ
Exploring Bridal Spirituality with the Beguines 

Location:        Trinity Episcopal Church
                       322 2nd Street, Excelsior, MN  55331

Date:               Saturday, February 20, 2010
Time:              8:30am - 3:30pm
Cost:               $35.00 for the day (includes lunch)
Registration:   registration@restorationmn.org

Facilitated by Dr. Glenn Myers
 

    As we begin the Lenten season and prepare our hearts for Christ’s passion, our retreat, “Drawn into Love with Christ,” will explore what it means to be passionately in love with Jesus. He is the One who cared so intensely for us that he gave his life for us. That love did not cease two thousand years ago but continues to pour forth today, inviting us into an intimate relationship with him. Indeed, he is the Bridegroom who unceasingly woos us as the Bride of Christ to himself.
    Guiding our exploration of this bridal relationship with Jesus will be the devotional writings of a remarkable community of laywomen from the 13th century known as the Beguines. One of the Beguines named Hadewijch calls us to come into the deeper life in Christ: 

O beloved, why has not Love sufficiently overwhelmed you
and engulfed you in her abyss?
Alas! when Love is so sweet, why do you not fall deep into her?
And why do you not touch God deeply enough
in the abyss of his Nature, which is so unfathomable?
Sweet love, give yourself for Love’s sake fully to God in love.

   
    Please join us for a day of soaking in Scripture, reflecting on devotional classics by the Beguines, solitude, silence and sharing, as we set aside time to focus on our Lord and his phenomenal love for us. 

    Glenn Myers is a professor at Crown College where he teaches classes in spiritual formation, Scripture and church history. His book on the Beguines is projected to be released in early 2011 by InterVarsity Press. To taste a bit of the deeper Christian life modeled by the Beguines, see Glenn’s webpage: www.deepwellswithglennmyers.blogspot.com.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION MINISTRY AVAILABLE

   Restoration Ministries has a number of trained spiritual directors available to provide spiritual companionship in one-to-one sessions.The intention is to provide space and time to listen, notice and be attentive to God's invitations in one's life and journey, to foster a deeper relationship with God, and to cultivate noticing, discerning and responding to God's Holy Spirit. Call to schedule an appointment at        952.241.4150  952.241.4150   952.241.4150              

EVENINGS OF LISTENING PRAYER
Every Wednesday: 7-9pm 

Join with us and others for evenings of LISTENIING PRAYER. Framed in simple worship, Scripture and prayerful sharing, this space is provided for attentiveness to listening to God and others. We meet every Wednesday evening from 7-9pm. There is no registration nor cost. Anyone is welcome to come and experience this quiet, worshipful listening space. Location: Restoration Ministry Center, 7975 Stone Creek Drive, #130, Chanhassen, MN    952.241.4150  952.241.4150             

SHAPED BY THE WORD 
Genesis: A New Beginning

We invite you to join us for a "manuscript" study of the book of Genesis. We meet on Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm, at the offices of Restoration Ministries. This way of reading and responding through notIcing and attending to God's revelation through Word and Spirit fosters personal renewal and transformation of mind and heart. 

Cost: There is no cost for these sessions. 
Register: registration@restorationmn.org  (Please specify class name.)
Facilitator:  Marjorie Karjalahti, MDiv.

For further information:  Restoration Ministries website:  www.restorationmn.org   


Pastor Jean Leih
  

For your information and interest:
Dr. Glenn Myers on Beguine spirituality and the intersect with our spiritual lives at  http://www.deepwellswithglennmyers.blogspot.com/
Pastor Jean Leih at http://IntegratingFaithandLife.blogspot.com/

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