GOD IN THE ORDINARY The first half of 2018 will soon be over. In the Christian calendar,
“...the months from December to May, is fundamentally shaped by the events of the Incarnation, beginning with the season of Advent and closing with the fifty days between the Resurrection and the Ascension, followed by Pentecost. These historical events then challenged the early Church to celebrate Trinity Sunday, bringing the final and full disclosure of the nature of God as Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. After this disclosure of the mystery of the triune God of grace, what else is there to celebrate in the Church’s sacred calendar?” For the next 25 Sundays, there is the simple nomenclature, “The 1st to the 25th Sunday(s) after Trinity.”... This time period embraces the whole Season after Pentecost, (and) is technically called “Ordinary Time.” (James Houston, Introduction, LETTERS OF FAITH THROUGH THE SEASON, VOL 2) Ordinary time. It sounds rather boring and dreary. But the Church named it well. This is the time to walk the talk about the resurrected life in the ordinary thoroughfare of living as witness for Him in the world. Is God in the ordinary? CSF retreats are designed to provide time and space for spiritual rest and reflection. We will explore what it means to walk and live out our faith in our daily routines. Different characters from different walks of life in the Scriptures will help us in our meditation. It is easy to lose our attentiveness to God in the busyness of living. So, this retreat is a time to allow God to draw near, and for Him to draw us near to Him. God is present all the time everywhere. How do we develop the habits and disciplines to be attentive to His Presence. Take some time out and join us to find out. Date: 20 - 22 Jun 2018 (Wed - Fri) Venue: Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality Centre Cost: $300/- Closing Date for Registration: 3 June 2018 Lent & Lectio: A Way of Praying Scripture During Lent Lent is a 40 days period before Easter Sunday. It is a time of fasting and self
examination. This longer time helps us to slow down so as to appreciate and own again the crucifixion and resurrection as our story in God’s salvation story. Lectio Divina is an ancient way of reading the Word of God where the reading always require a prayerful response to the God of the Word. Lent and Lectio Divina together prepares us in mind, heart and spirit to enter deep into the passion of our Lord Jesus, to encounter again the Christ of Easter. Date: 10 Feb 2018 Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm Venue: St James' Church (1 Leedon Rd Singapore 267828) Cost: Freewill Offering  3D2N Retreat: Of Brokenness & BlessingLent is a season of preparation to remind us of our need for salvation and also a time for the renewal of the heart. In Lent, we become aware of our sinfulness and brokenness so that we can be ready to receive from God a fresh and joyous grace through Jesus Christ. This retreat is an invitation to help us find creative space for renewal and inner change which only God can do. The 3 day-2 night guided silent retreat will also help you pause to revisit your trust in God and to let God love you. You will also be guided to recognize and and respond to the presence of God through His Word and prayer. "...to put off your old self ...to be made new ...and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) Date: 7-9 February 2018 Venue: Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality Centre Closing Date for Registration: 22 Jan 2018 1D Retreat: Between the Desert & the CrossA quiet day retreat to reflect on the heart of Lent and to recall the temptations that we face from time to time. Date: 10 and 24 March 2018 Time: 9.30am to 5pm Venue: CSF 4D3N Retreat: From the Upper Room to the Empty TombIn this retreat, we seek to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and the disciples in the three
day drama of the crucifixion (first day) and the resurrection (third day) with the empty day in between (second day). This retreat is an intentional and intense entering into the passion of Christ through the perspective of the disciples.
Date: 21-24 March 2018 Venue: St Francis Major Seminary Closing Date for Registration: 02 March 2018 Please e-mail admin@csfcommunity.org.sg for more information  SF102: COMING ALONGSIDE, BECOMING CHRISTLIKEThis course is an introduction to spiritual formation. Participants will not only understand but also experience the process of spiritual formation in community, what it means to come alongside others. Some practices of spiritual formation to help us ‘practice the presence of God’ will be introduced in this course. Through this course, we also hope to introduce interested Christians to CSF’s ministry and to consider volunteering to be at CSF on a regular basis e.g. one day a month, as part of the community. Session 1: Coming Alongside: What? Why? How? Session 2: Biblical Convictions: My Story in God’s Story Session 3: Practice, Posture & Experience Date: 20, 27 Jan & 03 Feb 2018 (Saturday) Time: 2 - 5pm Venue: CSF@Bethel SF103: SEVEN BIBLICAL RELATIONSHIPS ~ |
| How does a Christian continue to grow deeper in Christ after the initial thrill of experiencing God’s love and saving grace? Even as we commit ourselves to serve Him, how do we renew ourselves after the demands and drain of ministry? We know about the core spiritual disciplines of keeping our quiet time, prayer and reading the Bible. Spiritual disciplines however, are not just to nourish our spiritual life, and also to cultivate a spiritual attentiveness to God. This Spiritual Formation course aims to introduce a group of spiritual disciplines to help us “to practice the presence of God.” A framework linking these disciplines and the process involved will be explained. The course is designed to be practical. Beside the teaching segment, we will practice the disciplines e.g. the writing journal reflections, and meeting up with spiritual directors to discern God’s leading in your life. These disciplines will help us to grow deeper in Christ and provide renewal after the drain of ministry. Date: 07, 14, 21; 05, 19 & 26 May 2018 (Saturday) Time: 2 - 5pm Venue: Bethel Presbyterian Church Pre-requisite: Attended 2 SF100 courses | #1 MILESTONES ~The Story begins #2 JOURNALLING ~The Re-membering begins #3 LECTIO DIVINA ~ The Rumination begins #4 SILENCE & SOLITUDE ~The Listening begins #5 CONVERSATIONS ~The Friendship begins #6 SPIRITUAL DIRECTION ~The Co-discerning begins #7 SPIRITUAL RETREAT ~The Communion begins #8 SABBATH: WORK & REST ~A rhythm of grace begins #9 HOLY SPIRIT: WITH/IN US ~The Paraclete coming alongside |
SF104: PRAYING THE WORD (LECTIO DIVINA)
The essence of Lectio Divina is prayer, seeking God. It is heartening to learn that the Word of God is not only a revelation of the LORD to His children but also a resource to aid us in our prayer to Him. In this course, we will learn to let the Word of God descend from our head to our heart and seek God there. It is there where reading the Bible seeks to challenge our habitual beliefs, attitudes and behaviour. We become open to the Holy Spirit’s action of grace upon our lives.
Session 1: The Theological Basis of Lectio Divina
Session 2: The Movement of Lectio Divina
Session 3: The Practice and Posture of Lectio Divina
Date: 12, 19 & 26 May 2018 (Saturday)
Time: 2 - 5pm
Venue: CSF@Bethel
Please e-mail admin@csfcommunity.org.sg for more information
Session 1: The Theological Basis of Lectio Divina
Session 2: The Movement of Lectio Divina
Session 3: The Practice and Posture of Lectio Divina
Date: 12, 19 & 26 May 2018 (Saturday)
Time: 2 - 5pm
Venue: CSF@Bethel
Please e-mail admin@csfcommunity.org.sg for more information
The Stories of Advent: His Story, Your Story
“Long time ago in Bethelehem, so the Holy Bible say,
Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.
There are so many stories of Advent surronding the birth of Jesus Christ. In this day retreat, we will read through some of them. There is an elderly couple, a young virgin, a old man and an old widow and lowly shepherds. They are not the kind of characters that make an exciting story, except that they were surprised by God!
As the year is closing, take a day out to remember the story of Advent, His story. Along the way, review the year and be surprised by God as well.
Date: 16 Dec 2017 (Sat)
Time: 9am to 5pm
Venue: CSF
Closing Date for Registration: 4 Dec 2017
Please email admin@csfcommunity.org.sg for more information
“Long time ago in Bethelehem, so the Holy Bible say,
Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.
There are so many stories of Advent surronding the birth of Jesus Christ. In this day retreat, we will read through some of them. There is an elderly couple, a young virgin, a old man and an old widow and lowly shepherds. They are not the kind of characters that make an exciting story, except that they were surprised by God!
As the year is closing, take a day out to remember the story of Advent, His story. Along the way, review the year and be surprised by God as well.
Date: 16 Dec 2017 (Sat)
Time: 9am to 5pm
Venue: CSF
Closing Date for Registration: 4 Dec 2017
Please email admin@csfcommunity.org.sg for more information
Advent is a season that offers the gifts of joy and anticipation. However, Christmas is often celebrated without the true meaning of the Advent season. We usually get so bogged down with the festive shopping, partying, decorating and presents that consumerism is more common than wonderment. To help us get back on track, this retreat is an invitation to shift your focus to experience and savour the essence of the Advent, to prepare your heart for the coming of the Christ Child and the coming King.
The 3 day 2 night guided silent retreat will also help you pause to recollect the birth of Christ in your life and then to anticipate His coming again. You will also be guided to recognize and respond to the presence of God through His Word and prayer.
Date: 6 - 8 Dec 2017
Venue: Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality Centre
Closing Date for registration: 17 November 2017
Please e-mail admin@csfcommunity.org.sg for more information
The 3 day 2 night guided silent retreat will also help you pause to recollect the birth of Christ in your life and then to anticipate His coming again. You will also be guided to recognize and respond to the presence of God through His Word and prayer.
Date: 6 - 8 Dec 2017
Venue: Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality Centre
Closing Date for registration: 17 November 2017
Please e-mail admin@csfcommunity.org.sg for more information
The story of God that started with Jesus Christ, the Word with God become flesh is more than two thousand years old. Since that first landing, God has continued to encounter individuals in every age, race, culture and era. And these saints of old have left reflections of their encounters in treatises, letters, books and writings of all sorts.
Through the Reading Fellowship, we aim to help those who join this fellowship see the richness of the spiritual heritage of the church, to connect the dots and behold the unbroken flow and wonder of God’s story, and to make the links themselves to discover the contemporary relevance of past spiritual wisdom.
In 2017, we will focus on the theme of 'Personal Interior'. We have chosen books written by authors who are people of the heart, have a personal pursuit of God, a focus on the relational, and a focus on the Interior life. Join us to read these books together, see what we can learn from their writings, from their own encounters with God.
Through the Reading Fellowship, we aim to help those who join this fellowship see the richness of the spiritual heritage of the church, to connect the dots and behold the unbroken flow and wonder of God’s story, and to make the links themselves to discover the contemporary relevance of past spiritual wisdom.
In 2017, we will focus on the theme of 'Personal Interior'. We have chosen books written by authors who are people of the heart, have a personal pursuit of God, a focus on the relational, and a focus on the Interior life. Join us to read these books together, see what we can learn from their writings, from their own encounters with God.
Dates: 11 & 18 Sep; 02 & 16 Oct (Mon evenings)
Time: 7:30 – 10pm
Venue: CSF @ Bethel
Cost: Freewill Offering
Closing Date for Registration: 3 September 2017
Time: 7:30 – 10pm
Venue: CSF @ Bethel
Cost: Freewill Offering
Closing Date for Registration: 3 September 2017
This retreat is an invitation to recover the rhythm of rest and work that God has graced us with. It will help you savour the rest that God has designed for you as you move away from the busy world.
Praying The Word (Lectio Divina) (SF104)
The essence of Lectio Divina is prayer, seeking God. It is heartening to learn that the Word of God is not only a revelation of the LORD to His children but also a resource to aid us in our prayer to Him. In this course, we will learn to let the Word of God descend from our head to our heart and seek God there. It is there where reading the Bible seeks to challenge our habitual beliefs, attitudes and behavior. We become open to the Holy Spirit’s action of grace upon our lives.
Session 1: The Theological Basis of Lectio Divina
Session 2: The Movement of Lectio Divina
Session 3: The Practice and Posture of Lectio Divina
1st Run: 01, 08, 15 July 2017, Saturdays (2 ~ 5 pm) @ CSF
Session 1: The Theological Basis of Lectio Divina
Session 2: The Movement of Lectio Divina
Session 3: The Practice and Posture of Lectio Divina
1st Run: 01, 08, 15 July 2017, Saturdays (2 ~ 5 pm) @ CSF
The Lord's Prayer (SF105)
SF105 draws our attention to the Prayer the Lord Jesus Himself taught, and seeks to learn this prayer as a Pattern for our own prayers as we seek, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, to grow in Christlikeness to the glory of the Father. Our focus will be on relating with God as “Our Father,” like Jesus. And, like Jesus, we will seek to relate with Him as our Heavenly Father, Who is wholly Separate and Sovereign, Who Providentially Cares for us in our Everyday Life on Earth. This course will offer suggestions for the daily use of The Lord’s Prayer for a deeper relationship with our Triune God.
Session 1: Relating with God as Our Father
Session 2: Relating with God as Our Heavenly Father
Session 3: Relating with God as Our Heavenly Father in Our Everyday Life on Earth
1st Run: 05, 19, 26 Aug 2017, Saturdays (2 ~ 5pm) @ CSF
Session 1: Relating with God as Our Father
Session 2: Relating with God as Our Heavenly Father
Session 3: Relating with God as Our Heavenly Father in Our Everyday Life on Earth
1st Run: 05, 19, 26 Aug 2017, Saturdays (2 ~ 5pm) @ CSF
As a resource and learning community, CSF offers three series of spiritual formation programmes of increasing depth and duration. These courses aim to provide the foundation and framework for spiritual formation both to deepen the Christian’s communion with God, and to encourage the Christian to live out this deeper life in his or her church community. Each of these 3 levels (grouped as SF100, SF200, SF300 series) will have its own range of courses of various duration. The SF series distinctive is the attention given to reflection of the participant’s own walk with God, not just teaching new content.
Joyful Exiles: Life in Christ on the Dangerous Edge of Things (James Houston)
Advent is a season that offers the gifts of joy and anticipation. However, Christmas is often celebrated without the true meaning of the Advent season. We usually get so bogged down with the festive shopping, partying, decorating and presents that consumerism is more common than wonderment.
To help us get back on track, this retreat is an invitation to shift your focus to experience and savour the essence of the Advent, to prepare our heart for the coming of the Christ Child and the coming King. The 3day-2night guided silent retreat will also help you pause to recollect the birth of Christ in your life and then to anticipate His coming again. You will also be guided to recognise and respond to the presence of God through His Word and prayer.
To help us get back on track, this retreat is an invitation to shift your focus to experience and savour the essence of the Advent, to prepare our heart for the coming of the Christ Child and the coming King. The 3day-2night guided silent retreat will also help you pause to recollect the birth of Christ in your life and then to anticipate His coming again. You will also be guided to recognise and respond to the presence of God through His Word and prayer.
