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Center for Action and Contemplation

Turning Back to the Desert Mothers and Fathers 

January 30th, 2024
What if you embraced faith as a lifestyle rather than a belief system? In this month’s We Conspire series, we reflect on the legacy of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, early Christian monastic communities that formed in the 3rd century CE in the Egyptian desert. Join us in experiencing echos of their legacy in our

Imagining an Economy of Life

January 30th, 2024
How do we continue to walk toward St. Francis’ vision of community? Elizabeth Garlow reflects how small steps towards transformation can positively affect our communities, inviting us all to think differently about how we engage with our fellow humans, economies, and the natural world. One crisp fall morning in

Three Guidelines for Nurturing a Contemplative Community

January 30th, 2024
What does it look like to grow and nurture a contemplative community today? Pastor Tia Norman shares three guidelines that have served her while expanding her contemplative community, Awakenings, in Houston, Texas. A question I carry close to my heart while serving as pastor of a contemplative community is: “What

Nurturing Contemplative Communities in January’s We Conspire series

January 30th, 2024
Are you a part of a contemplative community? Whether you gather with fellow contemplatives or are simply interested in connecting with those walking a similar path, this month’s We Conspire series reflects on contemplative communities, past and present. As you read, consider reflecting on these questions: What

Entering Poetic Stillness in December’s We Conspire series

December 20th, 2023
“Poetry gives you resonance more than logical proof, and resonance is much more healing and integrating. It resounds inside of you. It evokes and calls forth a deeper self.” –Richard Rohr Have you ever experienced contemplative stillness by reading poetry? In December’s We Conspire series, we explore

Recalling the Voices of Ancients

December 20th, 2023
What if we took a moment to listen to the voice of Kadijah, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad? Discover what Kadijah’s perspective can offer us about the nature of faith, belonging, and the love of God. Author Avideh Sashaani invites us to embrace love beyond all boundaries in this evocative poem, O’ Beloved!

Calling Ourselves Home

December 20th, 2023
How do we continue to learn from each season of our lives? Award-winning author and poet Kaitlin Curtice offers us wisdom for healing our relationships with reality, our Creator, and ourselves in this emotional untitled poem, originally published in “Oneing: Falling Upward.” Don’t forget, my

Encouraging Words in Times of Fear

December 20th, 2023
How do we find courage and trust during times of transition and turbulence? Living school sendee Felicia Murrell invites us to hold transitional moments in our minds and hearts in this moving poem, “Liminality and Certitude,” originally published in “ONEING: Transitions.” Liminality and certitude are

Everything Belongs, CAC’s newest podcast, debuts with a special miniseries

November 10th, 2023
Our newest podcast, Everything Belongs, has just launched! We’re debuting the podcast with a 5-episode mini-series featuring thoughtful conversations between Richard Rohr and CAC’s faculty and staff to serve as guideposts for living these teachings forward. Below is a reflection piece from Corey Wayne, CAC’s

This Fella in the Straw Hat

November 3rd, 2023
Paul Swanson is on staff at the CAC. He is a jackleg Mennonite and novice in the new monastic Community of the Incarnation. Paul and his wife, Laura, have two feral and beloved children. Learn more about Paul's work kindling the examined life for contemplatives in the world at contemplify.com I discovered a

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Manda Frederick
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