Our Events & Gatherings

 

A list of our upcoming events and ongoing gatherings

 
 

Upcoming Events

  • God willing, this in-person retreat will begin just days after the Midterm elections, a time when our country may be in turmoil. In light of this, it feels especially auspicious to step away from the chaos of the outer world and attune ourselves to the sacred voice of Mary Magdalene.

    During our time together, we will cultivate a space of receptivity and sensitivity, preparing to hear her wisdom. We will steep ourselves in the blessings of the land surrounding the retreat center, allowing nature to nourish our spirits and provide a grounded backdrop for our journey.

    Through teachings, guided meditations, reflective practices, and communal sharing, we will explore the ways Mary Magdalene is already calling out to us—inviting us to deepen our connection with her teachings and insights. We will dedicate time to silence, creating an environment conducive to listening intently to what she has to say to each of us, both individually and as a collective.

    Join us as we embark on this journey of guidance and connection with the profound wisdom of Mary Magdalene.

    Spaced Limited for the in-person retreat.

    The zoom retreat will be a repeat of the in-person retreat. 

    Fee: In person retreat: $250 - deposit of $150 with the balance of $100 paid during retreat or you may pay the full registration fee now.  Please email Sally Roberts at orientalorthodoxorder@gmail.com if you plan to attend in person.

    Fee: Zoom retreat: $150.  Free for those who attended the in-person retreat. 

    Registration Link: <script src="https://forms.ministryforms.net/embed.aspx?formId=16e335b4-958c-4448-a4c1-20a7d8941ec7"></script>

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  • Hosted by Lynn Bauman

    The early followers of Yeshua sang spiential hymns that have been recorded in old Syriac texts.  There are many mysteries concerning these hymns as wisdom poetry which is similar to the poetry of Rumi from that same region-but earlier.  

    We will explore these hymns, wisdom poetry and the sapiential songs of the soul.Item description.

    Registration information will be published in November.

  • Hosted by Michael Sciretti

    The Beatitudes of Matthew 5 are among the most familiar words in the Christian scriptures — and among the most misunderstood. They have long been read as a moral checklist, a set of spiritual conditions to fulfill, rungs on a ladder of self-improvement. But read slowly, in their original languages, through the lens of the contemplative Wisdom tradition, they reveal themselves as something far older and stranger: a map of transformative journey.

    Each beatitude names a different facet of the divine nature — a quality of God that the blessed one has come to embody, participate in, and mirror. And woven through all eight is a single movement: a progressive emptying of everything the ego clutches — spiritual self-sufficiency, the will-to-force, lesser hungers, the defended heart — and in each case the divine life rushes in to fill the hollow place. This is the ancient kenotic mystery at the heart of the Christ event — the movement that gives each beatitude its hidden life.

    In this retreat, we will move through all eight beatitudes slowly and with care, drawing on the Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic textual traditions to hear what standard translations have long obscured. Each session will include contemplative translations of the beatitude, an unpacking of its hidden depths, a naming of the divine quality it reveals, resonant texts from the mystics, questions for reflection, embodied practices, and breath prayers to carry into daily life.

    Registration will be published in November.

Ongoing Gatherings

  • Join us via Zoom daily for prayer. All are welcome. Hosted by the Ann Arbor Michigan Priory.

    MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY and SATURDAY, 7.30 to 8.00 AM EDT. Morning Prayers are led by Alison Hine. On Wednesdays, you are welcome to stay afterwards for conversation from 8 to 8:30 AM EDT. For further information and to join please contact Nancy Ogilvie at nancylogilvie@gmail.com‍ ‍

    TUESDAY & THURSDAY, 7:30 to 8 AM EDT. Join us for Morning Prayer w/Rosary led by Susan King and Sharon Kardia. For more information on how to join via Zoom, contact Susan at sbking@umich.edu

    SUNDAY Evening, 8 to 8:30 PM EDT. Join us for Evening Prayer/chapel, led by Nancy Ogilvie. Our worship time includes readings, music, and silence. For more information on how to join via Zoom, contact Nancy Ogilvie at nancylogilvie@gmail.com

  • Newcomers are welcome to join an ongoing deep exploration of the The Gospel of Philip. The Gospel of Philip is a treasure trove of mystical wisdom. Dr Lynn Bauman (Abbot) has written a commentary for the Gospel of Philip. Our time together is an opportunity to explore this dense and mysterious text with further explication by Lynn Bauman, small group discussion and Midrash with images created by him. Sessions are held on the first and third Thursday evenings of the month from 6-8pm CST. For more information or to register, contact Alison Hine at alihine@gmail.com

  • This study group meets on the last Tuesday of every month from 6 to 8 PM CDT via Zoom. The free study is led by Dr Lynn C Bauman (Abbot) and Sally Roberts (Priest). For more information on our current topic of focus as well as details on how to join us, please contact Sally at orientalorthodoxorder@gmail.com

  • Abbot Blake Burleson and Monk Jim Kennedy offer Lectio Divina each Sunday from 9:45 to 10:45 AM CDT. The gathering meets at The Seventh and James Baptist Church, 602 James Ave, in Waco Texas. For more information, please contact Blake at Blake_Burleson@baylor.edu‍ ‍

  • In addition to monthly priory meetings in North Texas, South Central Texas and Michigan, a regularly scheduled priory meeting gathers now in Waco, Texas. Abbot Blake Burleson, and Monks Julianne Christian and Jim Kennedy host a contemplative experience and potluck dinner on the second Sunday of each month from 5:30-7:00PM CDT. For details, contact Abbot Blake at Blake_Burleson@baylor.edu‍ ‍

  • A twice-a-month study of The Gospel of Thomas held from 9 to 11 AM EDT on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. The study group is mentored by Priest Alice Despard. Each meeting consists of an opening meditation followed by an in-depth discussion of the logia selected for that week. This is a free offering. Contact Alice at alicedespard@gmail.com for more details.

  • A twice-a-month Wednesday (2nd and 4th) study of the Gospel of Thomas held from 7:15 to 8:45 PM EDT facilitated by Monk Ed Clifford. Each gathering consists of an opening meditation and an in-depth discussion of the logia selected for that week. Participants may use any translation of the Gospel of Thomas. Core commentary is provided from Bishop Lewis Keizer's book, The Kabbalistic Words of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. This is a free offering and meets via Zoom. For more information on how to join us, contact Ed at edclifford1@gmail.com

  • Join us for a study of the Gospel of Thomas utilizing the imagery and reflections from Diane Walker's book, "Illuminating the Mystery: Photographic Reflections on the Gospel of Thomas". The study convenes on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 til 6:00 PM EDT, led by Susan King. If you would like more information or wish to join the study, contact Susan at sbking@umich.edu. On the 4th Tuesday, a brief contemplative communion is shared at 6pm. Even if you are not participating in the study, you are welcomed to the 6pm communion.

  • This new offering began mid-March and will meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 9:00-10:30 am EDT. The group will discuss "The Kybalion: Hermetic Philosophy by Three Initiates". This is a free offering. Video of prior study sessions are available, please contact Alice at alicedespard@gmail.com for more details.

  • The North Texas Priory meets the second Sunday of each month at 1pm for group meditation/Eucharist and discussion. For more information contact Sally at ssroberts1@verizon.net