From Saturday, January 28 through Sunday, February 5, Grace Episcopal Church in Chadron will host the community of The Benedictine Way for a 9-day monastic residency. “While here, we want to share the peace and joy of our contemplative way of life with the people of Chadron and the entire panhandle,” says Br. James Dowd, Prior of Incarnation Monastery and The Benedictine Way. Benedictine spirituality is unique expression of Christian faith, centered on prayer, service to the poor and forgotten, and life in Christian community.
The Benedictine Way is an open and affirming community of people based in Omaha. Included in the community are the monks of Incarnation Monastery, Oblates (non-monastic members of the community), and young adult Service Corps members. The Benedictine Way will spend their time in Chadron leading prayer, holding special services, and connecting with students at Chadron State University.
At Grace Episcopal Church (450 Bordeaux St, Chadron, NE 69337), the community will lead the daily monastic prayer schedule, open to the public, beginning on Saturday, January 28 through Sunday, February 5. Their schedule is as follows:
Saturday, Jan. 28
Vigils/Centering Prayer 6:00 AM
Lauds/Holy Eucharist 8:00 AM
Centering Prayer 12:10 PM
Vespers 5:30 PM
Compline 8:00 PM
Sunday, Jan. 29
Vigils/Centering Prayer 6:00 AM
Lauds 8:00 AM
Holy Eucharist 10:30 AM
Vespers 5:30 PM
Monday, Jan. 30
Sabbath Day No Public Offices
Tuesday, Jan. 31 – Saturday, Feb. 4
Vigils/Centering Prayer 6:00 AM
Lauds/Holy Eucharist 8:00 AM
Centering Prayer 12:10 PM
Vespers 5:30 PM
Compline 8:00 PM
Sunday, Feb. 5
Vigils/Centering Prayer 6:00 AM
Lauds 8:00 AM
Holy Eucharist 10:30 AM
You may learn more about each of these services at thebenedictineway.org/join-us-in-prayer.
In addition to their regular prayer schedule, the community will host a variety of other events at Grace Episcopal Church, open to the public throughout the week:
Saturday, Jan. 28
9 AM – 12 PM Centering Prayer Workshop with Br. James Dowd
Sunday, Jan. 29 10:30 AM Holy Eucharist, Sermon by Br. James Dowd
Tuesday Jan. 31 5:30 PM Vespers Service for 12 Step Programs
Sermon by Br. Jerry Thompson
Thursday, Feb. 2 5:30 PM Feast of the Presentation – First Class Feast
Holy Eucharist, Sermon by Br. James Dowd
Saturday, Feb. 4 10 AM – 12 PM Praying with Icons Workshop with Br. Jerry Thompson
Sunday, Feb. 5 10:30 AM Holy Eucharist, Sermon by Br. Jerry Thompson
Finally, the community will spend time at Chadron State University to share with students their opportunities for young adults.
Current students age 18+ may apply for a summer internship with The Benedictine Way, in which they live and pray with the monastic community in North Omaha, working in the community’s urban gardens and helping run their food pantry. After graduation, young adults age 21+ may apply to The Benedictine Service Corps, a 10-month program in which they explore their spiritual lives and passions, learning about what it means for them to be an adult Christian in the world. In addition to prayer, community life, and work in the gardens, service corps members are also given an internship placement with a local church or non-profit based on their skills and passions.
While in Chadron, The Benedictine Way will host the following events for students:
Tuesday, Jan. 31 10 AM – 1 PM Tabling in the Student Center
Wednesday, Feb. 1 6 PM – 8 PM Meet and Greet at The Bean Broker
202 West 2nd Street
Friday, Feb. 4 12 PM – 2 PM Meet and Greet at The Student Center
“We are excited to spend time in Western Nebraska and share our ministry with the people of Chadron,” says Abby Ybay, Oblate of The Benedictine Way, “I want people to know that a contemplative, service-oriented life is not something reserved for monastics in far away places, but in fact is a way of life that anyone can choose to follow.”
Want to learn more about The Benedictine Way? Visit their website at thebenedictineway.org, or email Br. James Dowd at jdowd@episcopal-ne.org.