About the Center

About the Center for Spiritual Formation at St. Gregory’s

The Center for Spiritual Formation (CSF) at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church is a learning center for adults seeking continuing education in theological studies, as well as formation in the history, theory, and practice of spirituality. The CSF provides opportunities for both practical training and theological reflection.

The CSF emphasizes academic discovery and rigor, Episcopal identity in conversation with the rich history of world religious cultures, and a deep commitment to spiritual exploration and transformation. The CSF supports anti-racist pedagogies, multi-cultural approaches to learning, and opportunities for acknowledging and exploring the diverse languages, ethnicities, cultures and traditions that enrich our human experience. We are a learning community centered in Boca Raton that encompasses students from around the world.

Students at the Center for Spiritual Formation fall into two categories:

1) Students looking to deepen their faith and enrich their Christian journey with a more profound encounter with the history, practice, and legacy of spirituality and spiritual movements throughout human history, and

2) Students who are not religious and seeking to explore spirituality to find new perspectives and practices for their individual journeys. We welcome students of all faith perspectives who wish to join us for a limited study to "test the waters" of spiritual formation as part of their discernment for their own religious path or to strengthen the spiritual practices in which they are already engaged.

What The Center Offers

Courses are offered through a combination of online learning opportunities, short webinars, and in-person formation groups. Day-long retreats are offered periodically to give students a chance to pray and learn together, to ask deeper questions in small groups, and to reflect in community on the journey of spiritual formation.

Online courses are offered according to the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church, with courses offered during the liturgical season of Epiphany (roughly January and February), Lent (roughly March and April), Easter (May), and in Pentecost (usually in the Fall months, especially in September and October). An Advent teaching series will be offered on a limited basis. For more information, please click here to email the church office or complete the form below.

Current Offerings

Lectio Divina Prayer Circle - Meets Saturday, April 11 at 10 AM

The Center for Spiritual Formation at St. Gregory’s is a contemplative prayer experience that meets in the Chapel of St. Mary (that’s the St. Gregory’s chapel right off the main worship space) at 10:00 AM for 30 to 40 minutes of lectio divina, the ancient Christian practice of using Holy Scripture to center our prayer. Lectio divina is the practice of focusing on a short piece of Scripture and using the Word to concentrate and lift our hearts and prayers to God. This contemplative prayer group is open to all and meets monthly on the first Saturday of the month at 10:00 AM (unless otherwise determined).

Beginners are welcome! Come and join us! Make the deepening and expansion of your prayer life part of your spiritual practice. For more information, please reach out to the church office at office@st-gregorys.com

The next Lectio Prayer Circle will be held on Saturday, April 11, at 10 AM in The Chapel of St. Mary and will be facilitated by Rosie Sandoval. Everyone is invited to join us.

The Center for Spiritual Formation Presents a New Offering

We will explore the book into the silent land by Martin Laird

Tuesday Evenings Beginning April 21, from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

About the Spiritual Circle

The Center for Spiritual Formation invites you to a welcoming spiritual circle, led by fellow parishioners, devoted to shared reading and thoughtful discussion with the intention of deepening our connection and drawing closer to God.

Please join Linda MacLaren and Rosie Sandoval on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM starting on April 21st. Our circle will read and discuss the book Into the Silent Land by Martin Laird. This short book is a gem that shares the practice of Christian contemplation. We will read together and practice as we continue to learn and grow in our relationship with God.

Click here to purchase the book online.

About the book (from Amazon):

“Laird’s book is not like the many presentations for beginners. While useful for those just starting out, this book serves especially as a guide for those who desire to journey yet.”

Please email the church office at office@st-gregorys.com with any questions.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85969865439?pwd=2JGUmNaZVbH7lLa850dVL5RYwpMWTM.1

Meeting ID: 859 6986 5439

Passcode: 697557

Recent Offerings

"The Cloud of Unknowing: Contemplative Prayer and Mysticism in 14th-century England"

View the class video recordings via the links below.

The class covered the book, The Cloud of Unknowing, translated by Carmen Acevedo Butcher, which can be purchased from your favorite online retailer (there are gently used copies available for purchase on eBay), or you can order it from Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Unknowing-Book-Privy-Counsel/dp/1590306228

This anonymous fourteenth-century text is the glory of English mysticism, and one of the most practical and useful guides to finding union with God ever written. Carmen Acevedo Butcher’s translation is the first to bring the text into a modern English idiom—while remaining strictly faithful to the meaning of the original Middle English.

The Cloud of Unknowing consists of a series of letters written by a monk to his student or disciple, instructing him (or her) in the way of Divine union. Its theology is presented in a way that is remarkably easy to understand, as well as practical, providing advice on prayer and contemplation that anyone can use. Previous translations of the Cloud have tended to veil its intimate, even friendly tone under medieval-sounding language. Carmen Acevedo Butcher has boldly brought the text into language as appealing to modern ears as it was to its original readers more than five hundred years ago. The book is also available as an Audible Audiobook for those who prefer to hear the text read aloud.

Interested in learning more?

VIEW A VIDEO INTRODUCTION

To view a video introduction to the book by Carmen Acevedo Butcher, please click on the link below.

https://www.shambhala.com/videos/carmen-acevedo-butcher-introduces-us-to-the-cloud-of-unknowing/

Class Recordings

Session 1 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 2 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 3 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 4 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 5 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 6 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 7 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 8 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Contemplative Reading:

Lectio Divina and Guigo II’s “Ladder for Monks”

In the modern Benedictine tradition, lectio divina, or “holy/divine reading”, has become a contemplative practice of reading Scripture with the eyes of the heart and reaching out to God with the hands of the will in sincere longing for a transformative encounter with the divine. It is a four-part contemplative technique that involves the holy “R’s” of Christian meditation: holy reading, holy reflection, holy response, and holy rest. This technique was first described by Guigo II, a 12th-century Carthusian monk and prior of the Grande Chartreuse monastery in France. In this 10-week course, we will read Guigo’s “Ladder for Monks”, a very short treatise on the practice of lectio divina, and we will learn to practice lectio divina as a group. This transformative class renews your own prayer practice and draw you closer to God and to your fellow learners! Class recordings are available below.

Required Reading: It is recommended that you purchase your own copy of the book (the version edited by Edmund Colledge and James Walsh), which you can find at any online retailer. Click here to view the book on Amazon. Or you can download a free .pdf of the “Ladder of Monks” by clicking here (it does not have the introduction or the second treatise, but it’s free).

“Always We Begin Again”

Benedictine Spirituality and the "Rule" of St. Benedict with Rev. Robyn

A 10-Class Study

Have you ever wondered how to gain more balance, more stability, and more integrity in life while also growing spiritually?

The Benedictine spiritual tradition has offered a way to find new life and spiritual transformation in community for the past 1500 years.

In this course, we will read two books: Esther de Waal's Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict, as well as RB 1980: The Rule of St. Benedict in English, by Timothy Fry. Note: Please buy the slim booklet form of this publication, which is typically sold for $3.95 via most online booksellers.

There is another book that has the same title by the same author that is the annotated edition of Benedict's Rule, but it is 627 pages long, it usually sells for around $35, and it isn't recommended for purchase unless you have a strong desire to become a Benedictine oblate.

The Rule of St Benedict in English by Timothy Fry is available on Amazon.com.

Click here to view the book on Amazon.

Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict by Esther de Waal is available on Amazon.com

Medieval Monastic Spirituality: Harvest for the Soul

Discover Timeless Wisdom in Monastic Traditions

A 5-Part Lenten Series with Rev. Robyn

Christians throughout history have cultivated many ways to seek out a meaningful and holy life.

This Lenten series, explored five different ways in which medieval spiritual seekers sought religious fulfillment in community. In each of these five sessions, we discovered how various monastic writers (a.) understood and structured healthy community; (b.) understood and practiced meaningful worship, prayer, and praise; and (c.) envisioned the soul's journey into God.

Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on these practices and perspectives and "harvest" techniques and ideas that will be fruitful for their own spiritual journey.

WEEK ONE

Benedictine Monastic Spirituality: Patterns of Balance and Stability in a world of increasing anxiety and instability, we often feel lost or ungrounded. Come rediscover an ancient Christian spirituality that cultivates harmony and well-being through holistic balance and regular prayer. Benedictine spirituality, practiced for centuries by Christian monks and nuns, has much to offer people of all walks of life. In this first installment of our five-part series, we will explore how the Benedictine tradition can enrich and bring balance to any modern spiritual journey.

WEEK TWO

Early Monastic Spirituality: Seeking Wisdom in the Desert Everyday stress and the busy-ness of the world around us often pull us away from opportunities for quiet reflection and meditation. The ancient Desert Elders – early Christian spiritual guides who lived in the deserts of Egypt and the Levant – understood this all too well. Come discover how wisdom-speakers from this ancient Christian “desert” tradition created sacred moments for seeking God, finding inner harmony, and developing both spiritual insight and deep compassion for others.

WEEK THREE

Celtic Monastic Spirituality: Kindling the Heart’s Fire in the Wilderness Beyond the borders of the ancient Roman Empire, a Christian spirituality flourished during the so-called “Dark Ages” that kindled the fires of creativity and artistic expression. Practiced among the ancient Celtic peoples, especially among the early medieval Irish, this spirituality incorporated the visual arts, poetry, and a special approach to human relationships that viewed friendship and mutual support as a co-creative expression of divine love. Come explore the wonderful artistic legacy of this Christian spiritual tradition, and discover how to enliven your own creative potential in your spiritual journey.

WEEK FOUR

Carthusian Monastic Spirituality: Climbing the Ladder of Contemplation For many medieval Christians, the goal of prayer was the ecstatic experience of ultimate, personal encounter with the divine. A medieval Carthusian monk from the mountains of France developed an intriguing four-part approach to prayer that prioritized the contemplative reading of Scripture as a meditative process for encountering Christ through the Word. Come discover this practical “ladder” for contemplation, and explore how this medieval approach to divine encounter can enrich your own appreciation for and understanding of the sacred texts of our Christian scriptural tradition.

WEEK FIVE

High Medieval Monastic Spirituality: Loving God by Serving Others The later Middle Ages were characterized by a number of popular Christian spiritualities. Perhaps the most influential trend among these was the developing concern for serving others – especially the poor – as a way to grow closer to Christ. From Franciscan friars to female mystics, the concern for “holy poverty” and for reforming religious institutions to better meet the needs of real people grew over the course of this period. Come explore the lasting legacy of this tradition and discover how a spirituality that focuses on caring for others can change your heart, your community, and the world.

Click here for more information.

View the course sessions:

Session 1 - Click to view the recorded session

Session 2 - Click here to view the recorded session

Session 3 - Click here to view the recorded session

Session 4 - Coming soon!

Session 5 - Click here to view the recorded session

“And a Column of Fire from her Head”

Storytelling, Power, and Prayer in the Lives of the Celtic Saints

Although this 7-part epiphany series has completed, we invite you to join Rev. Robyn’s upcoming series and her recorded sessions of recent offerings.

Deepen Your Epiphany Journey

Beyond the margins of the Roman Empire, and far beyond the watchful eye of the early medieval Roman Church, Christians crafted an authentic piety that flourished in the context of their own language and culture. So-called "Celtic" Christianity is one example of a number of early forms of Christian belief and practice that took on distinctive qualities, heavily influenced by native tradition. In this seven-part Epiphany series, we will explore the unique and sometimes startlingly refreshing perspectives that arose from early medieval Christianity in the Atlantic Isles of Europe (Ireland, Britain, and beyond).

This series will appeal to anyone looking to craft a personal, authentic spirituality, and especially to persons seeking to deepen their Epiphany devotion by discovering new perspectives on piety, power, and prayer.

View the course sessions:

Session 1 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 2 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 3 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 4 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 5 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 6 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Session 7 - Click here to view the recorded session.

Readings and Resources for Class Discussion

Please click here to enjoy A Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus,

a reading from St. Patrick (in his own words!) from Rev. Robyn’s “Celtic Saints” class.

Please click here for Adiutor Laborantium, a hymn of St. Columba.

Please click here to enjoy Altus Prosator,

a different hymn of St. Columba so you may compare and contrast the two.

Click here to enjoy a reading about St. Brigit.

Click here to enjoy a reading about St. Brendan.

Future Courses

Thomas Merton on the Contemplative Life

Art, Image, Text: The Spirituality of Art and the Aesthetic

Women, Heretics, Jews, and “Others”: Stories from the Margins of Christianity

The “Care of Souls”: Pastoral Care and the Spirituality of Wellness

Greening the Household of God: Ecology and Holiness

“Abba, Give Me a Word”: Spiritual Direction and Guidance

The Spirituality of Mindful Parenting

Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Spiritual Tradition

Glorious Companions: Five Centuries of Anglican and Episcopal Spirituality

Kindness, Love, and Compassion in the Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist Traditions

Augustine of Hippo: The Confessions

Visionaries, Theologians, and Storytellers: Women’s Mystical Writing

The Heart’s Longing: The Practice of Christian Spirituality

Praying Shapes Believing: Liturgical Spirituality and the Prayer Book

Asceticism and the Body in Ancient and Modern Thought

Introduction to Mysticism: A Comparative Religious Studies Approach

Mystical Theology: From Plato to the Eve of the English Reformation

Julian of Norwich and The Cloud of Unknowing in Conversation Together

Walking Devotions: Tracing A Contemplative Path at Morikami Gardens

Aelred of Rievaulx’s Spiritual Friendship: The Classic Text with Spiritual Commentary

The Spirit of Early Christian Thought

Chasing Wisdom: Philosophy as a Way of Life

Monastic Theologies: Asceticism, Mysticism, and Prayer

Living Buddha, Living Christ: Intersections Between Buddhism and Christianity

“We are All Related”: Native and Indigenous Spiritualities

Practical Piety: Using Spiritual Practices to Craft an Authentic Life

Learn More

We appreciate your interest!

Contact us to learn more about The Center for Spiritual Formation and its offerings by completing the form below, by emailing the church office, or by calling the church office at 561-395-8285.