Seeking Stillness: The Practice of Christian Meditation

By Justin LaRosa | February 2, 2020

We don’t experience much silence in our lives.

This retreat provides an opportunity to gather together and pursue an inner quiet.

Register Here

The second annual Seeking Stillness retreat is a two-day, immersive event where you will learn a whole-person approach to prayer founded on the idea that there are many different ways to relate to God.

The Rev. Dr. Patricia Brown will present the many paths to prayer and how you can cultivate prayer practices that deepen your relationship with the divine. By exploring the faith traditions, prayers, and practices of different cultures through meditation, rituals, art, music and journaling, you will learn how a life of prayer helps discover God amid the nitty-gritty of everyday living.

Time/Date/Place: 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 1 and 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, May 2.

Location: The Portico – Community Room, 1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, Florida 33602 813.222.2299
Cost:
  • Friday evening and Saturday with lunch $75 (per person)
  • Early bird registration through April 5: $59 (per person)
Schedule of Events:
Friday, May 1
  • 6-7 p.m.: Registration
  • 7-8 p.m.: Keynote: Overview of Prayer, Rev. Dr. Patricia Brown
    Workshop- Learn the prayer of Examen and how reflection increases awareness of the Spirit of God in our relationships and daily life.
  • 8-9 p.m.: Workshop- Experience Breath Prayer to slow down and rest in the presence of God.

Saturday, May 2

  • 6:30-7:30 a.m.: Sunrise Walking Meditation on Tampa Riverwalk (optional)
    Guided group experience along the beautiful and scenic river in downtown Tampa
  • 7:30-8:30 a.m.: Yoga Chapel (optional)
    A restorative yoga class for all levels to rejuvenate body and mind.
  • 8:30-9 a.m.: Registration
    Complimentary coffee and pastries
  • 9-10:15 a.m.: Praying the Icons with Rev. Dr. Patricia Brown
    Delve into the fascinating history of icon art and connect with the holy through visual reminders of God’s love.
  • 10:30-11:45 a.m.: Breakout Sessions (choose one)
    Pilgrimage with the Rev. Dr. Patricia Brown – a virtual pilgrimage exercise and journal activity through the twelve stations of the cross.
    Taize Music Meditation with Shelley Tworoger and the Rev. Justin LaRosa – feel the power of prayer set to music in this ancient monastic practice.
  • noon – 1 p.m.: Lunch
    Enjoy a fresh, delicious catered lunch prepared by The Portico Cafe
  • 1-2:15 p.m.: Breakout Sessions (choose one)
    Praying the Mandalas with the Rev. Dr. Patricia Brown – Indulge your inner artist with a mandala activity that will awaken a deeper, mysterious connection to ourselves and therefore, to God.
    Centering Prayer with the Rev. Justin LaRosa – Foster an awareness of God’s presence within us through this silent, contemplative prayer technique, a pillar of contemplative practice at Hyde Park United Methodist at The Portico.
The Rev. Dr. Patricia Brown is an ordained clergywoman in the United Methodist Church and director of Spiritworks, a nonprofit focused on helping people live a healthier and wholistic lifestyle that integrates body, mind and relationships. She is the author of ten books that cover a variety of topics on spirituality, prayer and meditation, including Paths To Prayer: Finding Your Own Way to the Presence of God. The Rev. Dr. Brown has a Ph.D. in Christian Spiritual Formation and travels throughout the country leading retreats and seminars in Christian spirituality, prayer and meditation. Tricia lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her operating room nurse husband, Dale Bauman.

Justin LaRosa is a United Methodist Deacon and a licensed clinical social worker. He has served Hyde Park United Methodist in Tampa since 2005, first as the Minister of Discipleship and now as the Director/Minister of The Portico, a community gathering space where people come together for conversation, connection and community change. Justin’s book, The Jesus Challenge, 21 Days Of Loving God and Neighbor was published in 2019. He teaches the Enneagram and Christian contemplation at retreats and seminars at The Portico throughout the year. He and his wife Caroline have a daughter, Bella, and a son, Russell.

Shelley Tworoger is a member of the music and worship team at Hyde Park United Methodist at The Portico. A talented pianist and vocalist, Shelley leads Taize worship (along with her husband, Mike) on the second Tuesday of every month in The Portico Chapel.
Matthew Rowlson is a licensed message therapist, as well as a yoga and meditation instructor. A Reiki master, Matthew is passionate about energy healing for the body, mind and spirit. He also shares his musical talents by singing and playing guitar with the worship team at Hyde Park United Methodist at The Portico.
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