The Abwoon Deepening weekend will be an “urban roving retreat” in that we will be meeting at different sites throughout Columbus during the weekend. This means that we’ll certainly be “Creating Anew” on all levels throughout the time together. Am looking forward to our community joining together, sharing a loving heart-connection through Abwoon-focused spiritual practices. All Praise to the One and Only Being!There are a few logistics that may shift but the basic plan is set.
FRIDAY Zikr
For those who want to connect with others coming in for the weekend, I’m suggesting to meet at Aladdin’s Eatery
1423-B Grandview Avenue
Columbus OH 43212
Tel: 614-488-5565
Plan to be there by 5:30 p.m. (The restaurant is near where the zikr will be.) Tables are mostly 4-tops so we’ll simply sit down as people arrive and order as people arrive (not waiting for all to begin eating at the same time).
Since I’ll need to be at Hilal’s home to set up for zikr, I will be there early to eat and will depart shortly after 6. Others will not need to depart until about 6:30 to 6:45. Hilal’s home is only a few minutes away but you need to allow time to park and walk to the high-rise building and take the elevator upstairs.
7:00 – 8:30 – Zikr Night
Sponsored by the Columbus Zikr Circle
Held at the home of Hilal Jane Smirniotopolous
1000 Urlin Ave., Apt. 1507
Grandview Heights OH 43212
We will experience Saadi’s “Sura Al Asr” and perhaps some other of his smaller zikr pieces. People from within the participant group will assist in leading. Please let me know if you wish to help lead something or play guitar or drum or another instrument.
We will be in the midst of Ramadan and for those who are following the path of Islam and observing the fast, there will be prayers and then breaking the fast with food (following zikr) at 8:30. All who wish are invited to join in the prayers. It is expected that all will join in the food!
For those who eat dinner prior to the zikr, we will have sweets/desserts following. For others it will be a dinner potluck. Please bring something to share if you can. Please do not worry about bringing anything if this is difficult due to your traveling from a distance as there should be plenty brought by local community.
SATURDAY
Our day will be held at
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
36 Stanton Ave.
Columbus, OH 43214.
The church sits right behind a Tim Horton’s (a place for breakfast or just coffee) which fronts High Street.
Plan to arrive by 9:30 so we can begin by 9:45.
The day will focus on various aspects of Abwoon Resources – Neil Douglas-Klotz’ chants, body prayers, dances, walks, meditations. These aspects will be chosen based on responses indicated on the registration form. Participants will practice leadership; we hope to have time for conversation and questions as we move through the practices of the day. Musicians invited to try out.
No need to worry --- as we are all friends in a supportive community for those who want to try leadership in some new way. Create yourself anew in this way if you feel so guided.
We will go out for lunch to a restaurant for those who wish to go as a group. If we can reserve the group room at Panera’s in Clintonville (on High, south of the church by about a mile or so) we will do this. That reservation will determine our lunch break time.
We will plan to end by 5:00, clear out and on to dinner by 5:15 p.m.
Again, we’ll go out for the meal. There are a couple of places under consideration. Those who are helping set up for the Dances evening will have to be at the church by 6:30.
Saturday evening is a Dances of Universal Peace evening. It will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 pm either at the “usual” site of the local group, the Columbus Mennonite Church (where else but just off High Street, in Clintonville, at 35 Oakland Park Ave) or if there is a conflict at the church we will return to Gethsemane Lutheran. We are waiting to hear back from the church on their availability but I felt the need to get this letter out so I will send confirmation on this later.
Participants who wish (as much as possible) will also be leading dances during the evening program. Musicians also welcomed to share your talents. There may be opportunity for practice during the day’s session or during breaks.
There will be light refreshments following the Dances of Universal Peace circle.
Sunday
It’s back to Grandview Heights again! Our Sunday morning session is going to be held at
WiseWays BodyMind Arts Center
1520 West 1st Avenue
Columbus, OH 43212
This is a yoga center where I have led some workshops, including a day-long Desert Wisdom focused event and once a month Prayers of the Cosmos group for a year. The owner, Michelle Mangione, is a friend and colleague and supports the work of Abwoon in its ability to transform people’s relationship to Christianity.
We will meet from 9:30 to 11:30. (Again, please have breakfast before arrival. Stauf’s on Grandview Avenue is great for coffee if you want some before we start. It is just around the corner. Very near Aladdin’s where we will have Friday night dinner.)
After some morning practice, and a small time of discussion and wrap-up, the plan is to end with one of the full cycle of Dances. Of course the plan is open if there is a strong desire or need expressed to explore other practices (which will come out of the day together on Saturday). Right now there have been a couple of people express the desire to do the Aramaic Lord’s Prayer cycle together. So that will be the plan unless the group decides on Saturday to focus in another direction.
Those who want to go out to lunch following will do so. Others may need to get on the road for travels home.
May joy abound in these days anticipating this time together.Much love to all,
Munira
Rev. Elizabeth A. Reed, Ph.D.
Shalem Center/Abwoon Resource Center
881 High Street, Suite 206
Worthington, OH 43085
Shalem Phone 614.441.9773
ARC Phone 614.429.4009
eFax (both) 209.755.5766
www.shalemcenter.org
www.abwoon.com
