Still Harbor - Community Calendar

CALENDAR OF OFFERINGS AT THE CENTER
Most individuals desire and consistently seek out ways of exploring and developing a deeply personal intentional life. Spirituality forms the core of this exploration and has become a high priority among many people. Resources in support of this priority, particularly from a neutral, non-religiously affiliated organization seem to be in short supply. Our events all aim to open up a space for cultivating spiritual awareness through discovering a deeper understanding of self, of various reflective and contemplative practices, of different faith and social justice traditions, and of ongoing service movements.

Below is a listing of our current calendar of offerings. All programs take place at our Center for Discernment & Action at 666 Dorchester Ave., South Boston. Our groups, classes, workshops, and retreats are either free or operate with a sliding contribution scale. We strive to make all of the calendar offerings accessible regardless of any individual's ability to pay. Please join us with an open mind and open heart. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at info@stillharbor.org.

ONGOING

Community Contemplative Practice
Monday through Thursday 4:45-5:15 PM
with the Still Harbor community

This regular gathering brings together individuals from the Still Harbor community and beyond for a regular 30 minutes of communal silence in an interfaith setting. Any type of silent meditative or contemplative practice is welcome. Anyone is encouraged to participate – especially those looking to discover or rediscover a spiritual path. Read more about this practice here.

Clinical Caregiver Group
Third Wednesday of each month from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
(1/18, 2/15, 3/21, 4/18, 5/16, 6/20)
with Edward Cardoza, Perry Dougherty, and Colleen Sharka

The Clinical Caregiver Group is an opportunity for those engaged in the practice of medicine, nursing, psychology, social work, and other clinical health and well-being fields of practice to gather monthly for reflection, connection as community, and attention to self-care. Over the course of the two-hour meeting there is guided group reflection, discussion-based sharing, and personal time for meditation. This is a wonderful time set aside for personal retreat and nourishment within community. These gatherings are open to anyone who identifies as being in a clinical caregiver role whether formal or informal. You are welcome to drop in for any meeting, but we ask that you RSVP to info@stillharbor.org.

Spiritual Directors Group
Meeting on 1/19, 2/16, 3/22, 4/26, 5/17, 6/14 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
with Edward Cardoza and Colleen Sharka

The Spiritual Directors Group is an opportunity for those engaged in the practice of spiritual direction to gather monthly for reflection and prayer, connection as community, and attention to self-care. Over the course of the three-hour gathering there is group reflection and sharing, personal time for meditation or prayer, and a communal meal. This is a wonderful time set aside for personal retreat and nourishment within community. These gatherings are open to spiritual directors from all traditions and to those interested in or studying the practice. You are welcome to drop in for any meeting, but we ask that you RSVP to info@stillharbor.org.

JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH

From Belief to Belonging
4-week Lenten Series, Tuesdays from 6:00 – 8:00 PM (2/28 through 3/20)
with Edward Cardoza

Taught from a Christian perspective, this series examines the ways that we move from belief to belonging in our individual spiritual journeys as well as the tensions and challenges experienced along the way. Together, we will share our faith stories, our images and notions of God, and the joys and struggles of finding a place of belonging in a church or community. This is a perfect workshop for those who have left a faith community, are pondering a return to a church, or currently find themselves trying out new forms of being a believer in the 21st century. Please RSVP to info@stillharbor.org.

The “How do I sustain?” Workshop
Saturday, March 3 from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
with Colleen Sharka and Arville Stephen
*Contribution scale: Sustaining ($250); Suggested ($150); Base (you choose)

[com·mit·ment (n) dedication; application; a pledge]
Extended periods of stress, grief, or trauma have the potential to challenge or compromise our health and the ability to serve others well. At times, we may want to abandon our calling or find ourselves developing unhealthy coping mechanisms. To sustain a commitment to tend to the needs of other in service over the long-term calls on the strength of our compassion and resilience, both of which can be developed within us if they are given the appropriate attention. This half-day workshop is an excellent opportunity for those seeking balance and integration of their professional, personal, and spiritual lives as they pursue life and work committed to helping others. Meals included. Please RSVP to info@stillharbor.org.

Serving from Within Weekend Retreat
Friday, March 23 at 6:00 PM through Sunday, March 25 at 1:30 PM
with Perry Dougherty, Colleen Sharka, and Arville Stephen
*Contribution scale: Sustaining ($450); Suggested ($250); Base (you choose)

Contemplative practice applied and integrated into daily life can help individuals understand, deepen, or reconnect with their inner call, capacity, and commitment to make change in the world by serving others. This weekend retreat combines community learning with individual and community contemplative practice to help those engaged various forms of care-giving, ministry, social justice, or activism align and attune their call and commitments and deepen their capacity to serve. Overnight stay on our residential floor is highly encouraged. Individual rooms and meals are included. Please RSVP to info@stillharbor.org.

Navigating Grief and Loss as a Spiritual Journey
6-Week Series, Mondays from 6:00 – 7:30 PM (3/19 through 4/23)
with psychotherapist and spiritual director, Colleen Sharka, LMHC
*Contribution scale: Sustaining ($650); Base ($350); Scholarship available upon request

Grief is a normal response to any loss we experience in life. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, a job, a role, a relationship, or health, they all involve working through a grief process. Self-care and spiritual support can make a tremendous difference to the quality of the grief journey. This 6-week group will provide an opportunity to discuss the different types of loss and grieving, the effects and tasks of grieving, as well as coping and self-care. We will do all of this within a spiritual context as we pay attention to the challenges and opportunities it offers us. This is a support (not a therapy) group. Books and materials are provided. Please RSVP to info@stillharbor.org.

Meditation and Dharma Discussion: The Mindful Embrace (of Life As It Is)
Wednesday, March 28 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
with Josh Summers (more about Josh)
Josh will offer an introduction to the path of Buddhist meditation. The evening will include a short talk, guided meditation, and discussion. All are welcome and no prior meditation experience is necessary. Please RSVP to info@stillharbor.org.

What is Spiritual Direction?
Thursday, March 29 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
with Ed Cardoza and Colleen Sharka

The accompaniment of individuals along their personal spiritual journeys is an ancient contemplative and reflective practice that spans many different spiritual and faith traditions. In this evening class, Still Harbor spiritual directors, Ed Cardoza and Colleen Sharka, will examine the roots and help unveil the process of spiritual direction for those who are interested. This is ideal for people who wonder what spiritual direction is and are interested in learning about whether they might want to seek it out in their lives. Please RSVP to info@stillharbor.org.

APRIL, MAY, JUNE

Yin Yoga Workshop: Relaxing Into Ease
Sunday, April 1 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM
with Josh Summers (more about Josh)
*Contribution scale: Sustaining ($100); Suggested ($50); Base (You Choose)

Within the contemplative practice of Yin Yoga, we will explore the full implications of the word 'relaxation'. As the guiding intention of our meditative inquiry, relaxation will usher us into our conditioned points of resistance, opening us, ultimately, to a dimension of authenticity and ease.

Yin Yoga is a complementary yoga practice to the more dynamic and invigorating yoga styles that are predominant today. In Yin Yoga, floor postures are held passively for several minutes in order to access a safe and positive 'stress' on the deep layers of connective tissue in the body. Physically, Yin Yoga restores and maintains the natural mobility of the joints, primarily between the navel and the knees. Energetically, Yin Yoga opens the body's meridian system, which enhances the body's energetic flow and supports emotional equilibrium. And as this practice emphasizes stillness and silence, Yin Yoga prepares both the body and the mind for deeper experiences in meditation. Please RSVP to info@stillharbor.org.

The “What is my purpose?” Workshop
Friday, May 4 from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
with Edward Cardoza and Colleen Sharka
*Contribution scale: Sustaining ($250); Suggested ($150); Base (you choose)

[call: (n) a summons; a force of attraction]
Throughout our lives, we evaluate and reevaluate how we want to live and act in the world. Despite living in an age of instant access to information and constant connectivity, feeling disconnected from a sense of purpose often makes us feel isolated, directionless, and unfulfilled. To discover a calling in which we find meaning demands that we explore a spiritual life that connects us to ourselves, the other, and the unknown. This half-day workshop will help you discern and/or reconnect with your sense of purpose, mission, and drive in your life and work. For those anticipating or in the midst of one of life’s many transitions, this is an excellent opportunity to seek alignment in community. Meals included. Please RSVP to info@stillharbor.org.

Why Dignity Matters: Healing and Reconciling Relationships in Conflict
Friday, May 4 at 6:00 PM through Sunday, May 6 at 1:30 PM
(both overnight and day-retreat options available)
with Dr. Donna Hicks (author of Dignity)
*Contribution scale: Sustaining ($450); Suggested ($250); Base (you choose)

This retreat will draw on lessons learned from international conflicts that can be applied to all levels of relationships, within communities, workplaces, and families, and in social settings. The Dignity Model was developed to address the universal human desire to be treated with dignity and the equally powerful desire to be acknowledged for the indignities we have suffered. The workshop will explain why dignity matters so much to us and will include guidelines for how to treat others and ourselves in ways that recognize and honor human dignity. It will also offer communication strategies and mechanisms that enable relationships to withstand the conflicts that inevitably arise in all human interactions. Research has shown that while dignity is something we all yearn for, knowing how to treat ourselves and others with dignity does not come naturally. We have to learn how. With a little discipline, effort and commitment, we can all fulfill our deep desire to be treated as we matter. Please RSVP to info@stillharbor.org.

The “How do I sustain?” Workshop
Friday, May 18 from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
with Colleen Sharka and Arville Stephen
*Contribution scale: Sustaining ($250); Suggested ($150); Base (you choose)

Serving from Within Weekend Retreat
Friday, June 1 at 6:00 PM through Sunday, March 25 at 1:30 PM
with Perry Dougherty, Colleen Sharka, and Arville Stephen
*Contribution scale: Sustaining ($450); Suggested ($250); Base (you choose)

* For our contribution scales, sustaining gifts indicate an amount that includes the costs of offering the program plus a small donation to help Still Harbor sustain its operations, suggested gifts indicate the per person cost of planning and running the program, and base gifts indicate the minimum contribution we request for the program. “You choose” simply means we leave the minimum up to you, and the range can begin at $0.

Still Harbor is a 501c3 non-profit organization that thrives due to the generosity of individuals, foundations, and our partner organizations. You can make the contributions online or by mail. Click here to make a contribution for one of the events above.

We are always looking for teachers and practitioners who can work with Still Harbor to expand our offerings, and we encourage participants to consider ways of engaging with Still Harbor’s other programs. If you are interested, please contact Perry at info@stillharbor.org.