St. Mark’s announces quiet Monastery Days

In response to what seems like a rushing around, noisy, over-busy, rat race world, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church has initiated a day each month of quiet, which church organizers are calling Monastery Days. The church and parish grounds will be open to anyone who would like to experience gentle silence, a place to come away and rest in the quiet beauty of the gardens, sit in the church and pray, spend a few minutes, an hour, or the whole day living simply.

The Monastery Days will be the first Thursday of each month, beginning on Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

At monasteries throughout the world, there is a balance of reading, walking, caring for the gardens and other simple physical tasks, creative activities, individual meditation and contemplative prayer and group liturgical prayer. At St. Mark’s, on Monastery Days, the library will be open for reading, and will have paint and canvases available for those who would like to sit outside and paint. For those who prefer digging in the earth as spiritual practice, the vegetable garden welcomes weeders. Anyone staying for the day is asked to bring a sandwich or other simple lunch. Beverages will be available all day in the parish hall. Silence will be observed, although spiritual direction will be available in the mornings. To participate, call ahead for an appointment, (802) 885-2723, or sign up in the entranceway of the church upon arrival.

In the afternoons, the Rev. Victor Horvath will be available for gentle conversation. There is a sign-up sheet for meeting with him in the entranceway as well.

Anyone is welcome, regardless of religious affiliation, including no religious affiliation, to take time from their busy lives and enter the peace and quiet of “the monastery.”

For more information, call the church, and leave a message. St. Mark’s is located at 33 Fairground Road in Springfield.

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St. Mark’s announces Monastery Days July 23, 2017 SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – In response to what seems like our rushing around, noisy, over busy, rat race world, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church has initiated a day each month of quiet, which we are calling Monastery Days. The church and parish grounds will be open to anyone who would like to experience gentle silence, a place to come away and rest in the quiet beauty of the gardens, sit in the church and pray, spend a few minutes, an hour, or the whole day living simply. These days will be the first Thursday of each month, beginning with August 3, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. At monasteries throughout the world, there is a balance of reading, walking, caring for the gardens and other simple physical tasks, creative activities, individual meditation and contemplative prayer and group liturgical prayer. Here at St. Mark’s, on Monastery Days, the library will be open for reading, there will be paint and canvases available for those who would like to sit outside and paint, and for those who prefer digging in the earth as spiritual practice, the vegetable garden welcomes weeders. If you are staying the day, please bring a sandwich or other simple lunch. Beverages will be available all day in the parish hall. Silence will be observed, although spiritual direction will be available in the mornings. Call ahead for an appointment, 885-2723, or sign up in the entranceway of the church when you arrive. Afternoons, the Rev. Victor Horvath will be available for gentle conversation. There is a sign up sheet for meeting with him in the entranceway as well. Anyone is welcome, regardless of religious affiliation (including no religious affiliation!) to take time from their busy lives and enter the peace and quiet of “the monastery.” For more information, call the church at 802-885-2723; leave a message and we’ll get back to you. St. Mark’s is located at 33 Fairground Road in Springfield.