The group meets Fridays from 9:40 - 11 a.m. from September to June.
There is a core group of members but the format of the meeting allows
for newcomers and to just drop-in when you have a free Friday morning -
there is no chapter to be missed. There is an unwritten
code of confidentiality. This allows those who come to be open and
relaxed about sharing their feelings and views.
The group begins with tea and coffee and check-in, and
ends with prayer. Between these activities is an experience of a dance
as participants react to each other, the topic at hand and the
movements of the Spirit among us. Some of the topics included:
following the lectionary, working through a particular book in the
Bible, using a Kerygma theme or watching videos.
Labyrinths have been known to the human race for over 3500 years.
They have been used in many different religious ways by many peoples.
The Harcourt labyrinth is modeled upon the one found in the
Cathedral of Chartres. The labyrinth is a single-path maze so there are
no tricks to it and no dead ends. The path winds throughout and
becomes a mirror for where we are in our lives; it touches our sorrows
and releases our joys. So we walk it with an open mind and an open
heart for it leads to healing, to blessing, to self-knowledge, to
clarity, balance, and the shedding of guilt. It is a form of walking
meditation. Participants should set aside about 45 minutes to walk
the labyrinth. It is available on a Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., September to May.
Please call the church office to find out the dates.
During the summer, the outdoor labyrinth is available at Loyola House
just north of Guelph.
The title stands for: Learning, Insight, Friendship and Encouragement.
At Harcourt we have two small groups, one that has nine members, the
other seven. The groups meet twice a month in the home of a host(ess)
who leads the session. The format of the evening is
hospitality time, Biblical reflection and a time for prayers. As we
journey together we have Learned about death and dying, about each
other, about ourselves. We have gained Insight into the scriptures,
expressed Friendship through caring for each other and between the
formal meetings Encouraged each other on their spiritual journey.
With a brief training, if there is interest, new groups can be formed.
Mindstretch is a group where people listen to each other. We do not debate issues, we do not seek consensus and we do not attempt to educate one another. We learn by listening.
We generally have a book that relates to living the faith in to-day's world, and address a different chapter or topic each week. The leader for the day prepares 1 or 2 questions for reflection on the material. A talking stick is passed around the group and the holder of the stick has the option of speaking or of passing the stick on with no comments.
The questions lead us to connect with and share personal experiences or positions. As we consider the range of responses offered by others in the room, each of us finds that our own views and thoughts are energized and profoundly deepened. For many of us, this is a place where we encounter the Divine in our midst.
We meet for breakfast at 7:15 on Thursday morning and end at 8:30. Any one is welcome to drop in any time. The only real entry requirement is the will to get up that early in the dark months of winter!
A dance happens on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m.
until noon. The numbers vary from 10 to as many as 20. As Sacred
Circle is an open door concept with no time commitment and the numbers are
not consistent. Because of the non-structured nature of the circle, it
attracts people from many varied backgrounds, male and female, all ages, and the only common
denominator is a desire to offer our spirituality by sacred dance -
dances from many places, many origins, many spiritual beliefs. Dance
facilitators are Linda Rankin and Audrey Fyfe. Donations pay the
facilitator's fee.
Spiritual Directors or Companions
have been available at Harcourt since 1995.
Now supported by the Spiritual Companionship Committee, spiritual companions can provide a one-on-one
listening ministry to those on a spiritual journey, guidance and/or
facilitation for private or group retreats and specific teaching on a
variety of spiritual or prayer practices. The focus of spiritual
companionship is on the felt experience of God in individual lives.
At Harcourt, Andre Auger, Marion Auger, Lorraine Dykman, Ellice Oliver, and Kerry Wilson offer spiritual companionship to individuals.
The ministry is also an
outreach from Harcourt as it provides spiritual companionship to people
outside the congregation and to other retreat centres.
Those interested can contact Harcourt's ministers or Lorraine Dykman
at 519-836-8184 or Ellice Oliver at 519-837-3716.
The Harcourt Library is located on the lower floor.
There is an impressive collection of books for all age groups.
Since adult non-fiction books were the most popular, 76 new items
were added to this section last year. There are videos and magazines
as well. The borrowing time is 3 weeks. Please visit the Library and
take advantage of its excellent resources.
