LABYRINTH: A labyrinth is a path or walkway built in the form of a circle with a specific, meandering route that takes you into the center and returns you to the same point from where you began. It is not a maze. There is only one way in and one way out.
Koinonia's Labyrinth is located on its grounds just west of the building and parking lot, between the building and 25 Road. All are welcome to visit and use the labyrinth at any time.
The Labyrinth is a spiritual tool meant to awaken an awareness of your rhythmic relationship to all creation, and also to connect you to a universal sense of belonging to the divine unity that surrounds us and is within us. Use it as a walking meditation; a path for prayer; to clear the mind and gain insight into a question; allowing images to emerge; releasing cares and concerns; asking for clarity at the center; taking energy back out into your life; celebrating a special event; mourning a loss; enjoying the wonders of the natural world surrounding the Labyrinth.
Suggestions to walk the Labyrinth: PAUSE at the entry, and consider what is wanted/needed. If there are others walking the Labyrinth, allow a bit of time to lapse before entering. FIND your own rhythm...walk, move at your own pace. There is room on the path to pass a person moving slower, or for a faster walker to pass. If you wish to maintain a meditative stance, avoid eye contact. Be conscious of your breathing. Let your breathe flow smoothly. Pause in the center before returning the way you came. You are always welcome to use the Labyrinth.
LIBRARY: Koinonia's collection of books and materials is modest, but contains many volumes in the Quaker, Baptist, and Church of the Brethren traditions. It also contains copies of many of the books that were read and studied in the Sunday morning 9am Forums. The library is located at the north end of the narthex room in the front of the building. All of these volumes are available to anyone to borrow, check out and read. Everyone is welcome to study, learn and grow.
Spiritual Growth --
What We Do
What have you read recently that inspires you? You're welcome to join us, learn and join in the lively discussions. We are here to grow and bloom.
SANGHA: Welcome ! The Grand Valley Sangha meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 6:50 – 8:30PM at Koinonia – A Center of Spirituality and Peace at 730 25 Road.
The word sangha is Sanskrit for a community with a common vision or purpose. Ours is to support each others' practice of living with mindfulness, generosity, compassion, and joy.
Each 1st and 3rd Tuesday, a facilitator guides us in our meditation practice, offers sources of inspiration, and invites us to participate in listening and sharing. We have been inspired by the teachings and practices of Buddha,Thich Nhat Hanh, Pema Chodron, Hakomi, Tara Brach, Cheri Huber, Jack Kornfield, Susie Harrington ... and one another.
Whatever your previous experiences with meditation have been, we hope you will feel welcome in this community and comfortable in each other’s presence.
We offer these agreements to practice together: Being present, compassionate, curious … Suspending judgment, labels, assumptions... Offering a listening presence... Speaking from a “place of I”...
6:45 PM
The doors will be open to allow time for everyone to get settled. You are invited to bring cushions, blankets, and/or props that support your meditation practice.
7:00 PM
Welcome … announcements … agreements ... meditation … sources of inspiration ... sharing ... mindfulness practice ...meditation
8:25 PM
Closing
Questions and feedback are always welcome. Contacts are Deb Allerton ( deballerton@gmail.com), Bonnie Steele (stbonjohn@bresnan.net), and Michelle Trosclair (mitroux@gmail.com)
Koinonia is a special place where all are valuable. We learn together. We each follow our own spiritual paths to wisdom, peace and compassion. We ask questions. We study what Jesus and the great wisdom teachers really said. We find connection with all living things and all Creation. We grow and bloom. Spiritual growth opportunities at Koinonia include:
- Forums, discussions on Sunday mornings before the Community Celebrations,
- Sangha group that meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month,
- Labyrinth walkway for meditation use,
- Library with many relevant books from the various wisdom traditions.
- Activity Groups and task teams to fulfill needs and get things done.
FORUMS: Our Sunday morning 9am forums often include discussions and studies of current and older books, TED talks and videos, scriptures from the sacred books of the various wisdom traditions, and other topics of contemporary life suggested by anyone for discussion. Here are the front covers of a few of the books we've read and discussed, are reading now, or are suggested for future forums:
May we dwell in mindfulness and the open heart.
Find Us at:
730 25 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81505
970-242-3947
koinonia@koinoniagj.org
Library reading area in the Koinonia narthex
ACTIVITY GROUPS and task teams: People at Koinonia form task teams and activity groups to fulfill organization needs or social needs and functions. These may meet on a regular or ad hoc basis, so call the Koinonia Office, or watch the monthly calendar or Facebook page for times and changes. All is handled informally, so things are changing all the time. Current teams and groups include
- Lay Speakers -- people who give messages on Sunday when Pastor Mike is away.
- Lay Ministers -- provide support and encouragement for those in need.
- Sunday Forums Group -- lead the readings and discussion, suggest content, ideas.
- Musicians & Choir -- provide the contemporary and choir music for the Community Celebrations and for many other social functions.
- Community Task Team -- provide opportunities for spiritual growth, purposeful work, fellowship, connection with visitors and supporters.
- Community Garden Group -- maintain thriving community garden, wetlands nature area and peace garden grounds, provide garden foodstuffs for those in need.
- Children & Families Group -- support the spiritual growth of children, and offer joyful activities for families.
- Assets Task Team -- maintain and promote Koinonia financial health and use financial assets wisely to support Koinonia activities and goals.
- Building and Grounds -- maintain properties and plan community work days as needed.
- Peace and Justice Task Team -- promote peace and justice activities in the Grand Valley, El Salvador and beyond.
- Hospitality Group -- organize meals and receptions for bereaved families.
- Office Group -- Mike Burr, Pastor; Diane Mather, Admin Asst; Nela Polan, Cust. Care.
- Council Team -- provide overall planning and problem-solving for Koinonia.
- Pastoral Relations -- offer support and feedback to Pastor Mike.
- Faith-Sharing Spiritual Awakenings Group -- organizes small groups of people who meet to share their spiritual journeys and process with each other, working toward spiritual growth possibilities.
Every person is welcome to join an existing group or team, or start a new one as needs arise. You're Invited ! The possibilities are endless at Koinonia....
Friendships forming within Task Teams...
