December 2020
Transfiguration Spirituality Center
News and Update
Week of December 6, 2020
Because of ongoing concerns related to the coronavirus, TSC will be closed to guests at least through March 2021. Thanks to the generosity of the Sisters of the Community of the Transfiguration, our staff is able to continue working. We are preparing meals for several feeding ministries in the greater Cincinnati area. If you would like to donate to the feeding ministry, please visit our website and use the 'donate/payment' tab.
Sinter Klaas kapoentje
These Dutch words are part of a children’s tune that hails the coming of St. Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) on December 6. The legend of St. Nicholas is full of stories of a humble person who showed kindness, caring, and generosity, especially towards those in need or distress. From a young age, Nicholas was devoted to prayer, and throughout his life as Bishop of Myra, he served as benefactor to many who sought his help. He is the patron saint of many, including children and seafarers. Over the years in North America, the image of St. Nicholas morphed into Santa Claus.

This time of year people in every faith tradition expand our spirits and live even more generously than we might at other times of the year. It is also a time of year when we can reexamine traditions, re-create those experiences that make us whole, and let go of those practices that are no longer life giving. In doing so, we have the opportunity to connect with the saints in our lives, both those present and those who have gone on before. 

Who are the people who have centered your life in the sacred? Who has shown you how to live generously? Who has been a mentor to help you approach life in humility?
The saints are folks whose lives can be examples to us for all of these things and so much more. May the Spirit of Sinter Klaas live in each one of us today and always.
Musings from Anne Reed, Executive Director
Upcoming Retreats
2021 TSC-Sponsored Retreats

January 22-23, 2021
Grace through the Works of Jane Austen
Explore the theme of Grace through Austen's works and apply it to our life in the modern world. Friday from 1.30 to 4.00 pm and Saturday from 10.30 to 3.30 pm.

Participants are invited to join in tea and chocolate as part of the overall experience of immersing ourselves in Jane Austen's world. Our prayer time will be led by Sr. Diana, using the Book of Common Prayer with which Austen would have been familiar.

Our retreat leader is Maria Grace: Six time BRAG Medallion Honoree, #1 Best-selling Historical Fantasy author Maria Grace has her PhD in Educational Psychology and is a 16-year veteran of the university classroom where she taught courses in human growth and development, learning, test development and counseling. None of which have anything to do with her undergraduate studies in economics/sociology/managerial studies/behavior sciences. She pretends to be a mild-mannered writer/cat-lady, but most of her vacations require helmets and waivers or historical costumes, usually not at the same time.
 
She writes gaslamp fantasy, historical romance, and non-fiction to help justify her research addiction.
She can be contacted at:


Cost is $45.00
Register at www.ctretreats.org. or email ctretreats@gmail.com.

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Kaleidoscope Institute (KI) On-Line Facilitator Accreditation Training Thursdays in January

In an increasingly polarized and violent world, there is a need for facilitation of reasonable and constructive dialogue about important issues. Imagine being one of those people who has the ability to provide gracious time and place for truth seeking dialogue that can achieve
non-violent mutual understanding.

This training will provide resources to coordinate and facilitate inclusive small group dialogue using the KI gracious leadership tools, skills and processes.
You will be given the opportunity to practice and use KI resources for your work and ministries while being mentored by a KI Associate.

Learn how to invite people to come to an initial dialogue, designed to achieve mutual understanding through deep listening. Discover a better understanding of the relationship of KI resources and the Developmental Model for Intercultural Sensitivity to help explain the reactions to cultural differences.

Using Zoom technology, the four sessions will meet from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm (Eastern)
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Thursday, January 21
Tuesday, January 26
Thursday, January 27
It is necessary to attend all four sessions.

Participants will take the Intercultural Development Inventory (idi) before the second week of
the training sessions. The cost of this on-line inventory is included in the registration fee.

At KI, we use a sliding scale called GracEconomics. We ask that you pay as close to the upper number as your financial resources allow. The GracEconomic registration fee for this training is $50 - $300. To make your payment, please go to www.kscopeinstitute.org/donate and indicate that you are paying for the Facilitator Accreditation training. If you would prefer to send a check, please let Kathryn Nishibayashi, our Office Coordinator, know via email (kathryn@kscopeinstitute.org) that you are sending a check.

GracEconomic Registration Fee: $50 - $300

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March 5-6
Westina Matthews will be back again to lead a retreat with specific times to be determined.

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April 16-17
Gillian Ahlgren, PhD will lead the Associates' Retreat, open to everyone.

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Recommended Retreats held by others

The Society of St. John the Divine in Toronto is offering on-line retreats this fall. https://ssjd.ca/retreats-programs-retreat-calendar/retreat-calendar/

St. Mary's Sewanee has a regular program of retreats. https://www.stmaryssewanee.org/programs-retreats-events/
ON LINE and CONTEMPLATIVE RESOURCES FOR OUR TIME
Contemplative and Spiritual Resources available through other communities on the internet

There are a host of resources and on line courses available on the internet for individuals to engage any time of year. Now, perhaps more than ever, it is good to familiarize yourself with links to the wider contemplative community. Here is a list of just a few; if you click on the name, it will take you to the webpage:

New Camaldoli Hermitage - contemplative community offering retreats on line.


Resources for Renewal- Dr. Gillian Ahlgren

Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation-free and low cost webinars on topics of interest

Heartbeat Journey, John Philip Newell

Fetzer Institute: Helping build the spiritual foundation for a loving world

Spiritual Directors International-resource for many religious traditions

The Wild Church Network - Churches that encounter God in the wilderness

Jack Kornfield Meditations - Trained Buddhist monk, internationally known teacher of meditation
Resources from our Neighbors
The Hive
The Hive, a community collaborative effort in the Northside neighborhood of Cincinnati, is continuing to offer physically distanced programming for spiritual and physical health and wellness. Visit www.cincyhive.org.
Peace Dialogues

Peace Dialogue: Difficult Conversations: How To Discuss What Matters Most and The Beloved Community
 
Peace Dialogue will continue in December.

For more information, email worklife@fuse.net or Call 513.677.9448