Our Events & Gatherings

 

A list of our upcoming events and ongoing gatherings

 
 

Upcoming Events

  • October 10-12

    Praxis Retreat and Learning Center

    Elwood, TX  

    Who am I, really? Why am I really here? These are primordial wisdom questions that, if answered from the perspective of perennial wisdom, have dramatic effects on how we live our daily lives. Join us as Rev. Dr. Michael Sciretti guides us through the dialogues from Talking with Angels, transcribed by Gitta Mallasz. In this retreat we will read or listen to some of the dialogues together. In our time together we will focus on one of the key teachings from the Angels – that of the Bridge – and the Jewish symbol they used to explain the True Human Vocation to unite heaven and earth –the Menorah. In short, we are to be the Bridge between the created worlds and the creating worlds, the 3 lower worlds and the 3 higher worlds, according to their teaching. Only when we combine the 3 “below” and the 3 “above” by being the one in the middle, do we become “Human” (Adam / Anthropos). Amid so much darkness and apocalyptic upheaval when they were hiding from the Nazis, they received messages of Light, New Birth, and a coming New World. It is truly a deeply moving, inspiring, and hopeful message that we desperately need today in our own turbulent times. This retreat will provide plenty of time for prayer, silence and reflection. It will cultivate both hope and action. For the Message of the Angels is one of:

    “Awaken to the Human Task for the Coming of the Light.”

    This is an in-person only retreat which will be held at The Praxis Retreat and Learning Center in Elwood, TX. The Praxis Retreat and Learning Center is part of a wildlife preserve and rewilding effort located 20 miles northeast of Bonham, TX.  All rooms are double occupancy with shared bathrooms.  Space is limited. For more information about the retreat center please contact Sally Roberts at 972-342-4617 or orientalorthodoxorder@gmail.com. 

    Registration deadline is Friday, October 3, 2025

    Praxis Retreat Center address is 268 Private Road 249, Telephone, TX 75488

    Registration and payment link: https://forms.ministryforms.net/embed.aspx?formId=c0b7e4e9-933e-4b6c-94ab-8c64611b1403

  • I am pleased to announce a zoom course this fall on the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. The course will draw on the ancient text itself, my reflections in the recently published “A journey of Inquiry Through the Gospel of Mary Magdalene” and on your own explorations during the course. I am pleased to announce a zoom course this fall on the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. The course will draw on the ancient text itself, my reflections in the recently published “A journey of Inquiry Through the Gospel of Mary Magdalene” and on your own explorations during the course. 

    We will settle into the practice of embodied presence, journaling, group sharing and collective inquiries. No previous experience is needed. You will need a copy of “A Journey of Inquiry Through the Gospel of Mary Magdalene”. If you don’t have a copy you can purchase it from: https://www.contemplativewisdom.net/store/p/journeying-through-the-gospel-of-mary-magdalene    and from Amazon.

    We will meet on zoom every other Monday from 7-9pm ET, 6-8pm CT starting on Monday October 21st. 

     To register for this course please join The Sanctuary https://the-ooow-sanctuary.mn.co/share/dDd0BMTGyfsVJ1Uk?utm_source=manual and register thru the flyer on the event page.

Ongoing Gatherings

  • Join us via Zoom daily for prayer. All are welcome. Hosted by the Ann Arbor MI Priory.

    MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY and SATURDAY, 7.30 to 8.00 AM EDT. Morning Prayers are led by Alison Hine. On Wednesdays, you are welcome to stay afterwards for conversation from 8 to 8:30 AM EDT. For further information and to join please contact Nancy Ogilvie at nancylogilvie@gmail.com

    TUESDAY & THURSDAY, 7:30 to 8 AM EDT. Join us for Morning Prayer w/Rosary led by Susan King and Sharon Kardia. For more information on how to join via Zoom, contact Susan at sbking@umich.edu

    SUNDAY Evening, 8 to 8:30 PM EDT. Join us for Evening Prayer/chapel, led by Nancy Ogilvie. Our worship time includes readings, music, and silence. For more information on how to join via Zoom, contact Nancy Ogilvie at nancylogilvie@gmail.com

  • Newcomers are welcome to join an ongoing deep exploration of the The Gospel of Philip. The Gospel of Philip is a treasure trove of mystical wisdom. Dr Lynn Bauman (Abbot) has written a commentary for the Gospel of Philip. Our time together is an opportunity to explore this dense and mysterious text with further explication by Lynn Bauman, small group discussion and Midrash with images created by him. Sessions are held on the first and third Thursday evenings of the month from 6-8pm CST. For more information or to register, contact Alison Hine at alihine@gmail.com

  • This study group meets on the last Tuesday of every month from 6 to 8 PM CDT via Zoom. The free study is led by Dr Lynn C Bauman (Abbot) and Sally Roberts (Priest). For more information on our current topic of focus as well as details on how to join us, please contact Sally at orientalorthodoxorder@gmail.com

  • Abbot Blake Burleson and Monk Jim Kennedy offer Lectio Divina each Sunday from 9:45 to 10:45 AM CDT. The gathering meets at The Seventh and James Baptist Church, 602 James Ave, in Waco Texas. For more information, please contact Blake at Blake_Burleson@baylor.edu

  • Monks and friends gather each month to share contemplative prayer, Eucharist and conversation. These gatherings are held via Zoom on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 1100 to 1400 CDT. If you would like to join us and become further acquainted with the OOOW community, email David at praxiscentex@gmail.com so we can send you information on how to join us via Zoom.

  • In addition to monthly priory meetings in North Texas, South Central Texas and Michigan, a regularly scheduled priory meeting gathers now in Waco, Texas. Abbot Blake Burleson, and Monks Julianne Christian and Jim Kennedy host a contemplative experience and potluck dinner on the second Sunday of each month from 5:30-7:00PM CDT. For details, contact Abbot Blake at Blake_Burleson@baylor.edu

  • A twice-a-month study of The Gospel of Thomas held from 9 to 11 AM EDT on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. The study group is mentored by Priest Alice Despard. Each meeting consists of an opening meditation followed by an in-depth discussion of the logia selected for that week. This is a free offering. Contact Alice at alicedespard@gmail.com for more details.

  • A twice-a-month Wednesday (2nd and 4th) study of the Gospel of Thomas held from 7:15 to 8:45 PM EDT facilitated by Monk Ed Clifford. Each gathering consists of an opening meditation and an in-depth discussion of the logia selected for that week. Participants may use any translation of the Gospel of Thomas. Core commentary is provided from Bishop Lewis Keizer's book, The Kabbalistic Words of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. This is a free offering and meets via Zoom. For more information on how to join us, contact Ed at edclifford1@gmail.com

  • Join us for a study of the Gospel of Thomas utilizing the imagery and reflections from Diane Walker's book, "Illuminating the Mystery: Photographic Reflections on the Gospel of Thomas". The study convenes on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 til 6:00 PM EDT, led by Susan King. If you would like more information or wish to join the study, contact Susan at sbking@umich.edu. On the 4th Tuesday, a brief contemplative communion is shared at 6pm. Even if you are not participating in the study, you are welcomed to the 6pm communion.

  • This new offering began mid-March and will meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 9:00-10:30 am EDT. The group will discuss "The Kybalion: Hermetic Philosophy by Three Initiates". This is a free offering. Video of prior study sessions are available, please contact Alice at alicedespard@gmail.com for more details.

  • The North Texas Priory meets the second Sunday of each month at 1pm for group meditation/Eucharist and discussion. For more information contact Sally at ssroberts1@verizon.net