Sophia Center’s Atchison Connection

Our vision
Communities of women empowering other women, and together experiencing changes in ourselves and our communities.

Sophia Center’s Atchison Connection joins with other circles of Atchison women to create caring environments for personal growth through spiritual and social development.


Who We Are
The Atchison Connection of Sophia Center, was formed in 2002 as a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters in collaboration with other Atchison area women. We offer varied opportunities for development through:

• Education: acquiring new skills from one another, exploring ideas and reflecting together on life experiences.
• Spirituality: attending to the presence of God within, around and beyond us, and readying ourselves for contemplative prayer.
• Advocacy: standing with and supporting others, empowering them to find their voice, together speaking out against injustice and working for the common good of the community.
  
  What We Do:
  In keeping with our aim to educate, encourage, and empower women, we offer

• monthly book discussions
• Scripture reflection and prayer
• current events discussions
• creative arts activities
• stress relief skills
• skills for spiritual development

ATCHISON CONNECTION PROGRAMS
WINTER-SPRING 2012

Book Discussion
Last Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m.
Mount St. Scholastica
8th and U Street, Atchison
Facilitators: Sister Sheila Carroll, OSB, & Sister Gabrielle Kocour, OSB

Read a highly recommended book and share your experience of it with other readers.
January 31: Born on a Blue Day
by Daniel Tammet

February 28: The Master Butchers Singing Club
by Louise Erdrich

March 27: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot

April 24: Riding the Bus with My Sister
by Rachel Simon


Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton
1st and 3rd Thursday, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.
Sophia Center, 8th and R Street, Atchison
Facilitators: Sisters Sheila Carroll, OSB, & Gabrielle Kocour, OSB

The Trappist monk Thomas Merton was famous for his contemplative teachings. Share with others the journey toward person spiritual transformation and a more peace-filled life.
J anuary 5 and 19
February 2 and 16
March 1 and 15
April 19 and May 3

Lectio Divina
2nd and 4th Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Facilitators:
Sister Gabrielle Kocour, OSB, & Sister Sheila Carroll, OSB

Share in the traditional monastic practice of guided reading, listening, reflecting and responding to the Word of God in the Scriptures. This semester we will use Visio Divina (Seeing the Word), a guided reflection that makes it possible to pray with images from the Saint John's Bible.
January 12 and 26
February 9 and 23
March 8 and 22
April 12 and 26
May 10 and 24


Sunset Yoga
Thursdays 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
January 5 to May 17 (No class on April 5)
Mount St. Scholastica
8th and U Street, Atchison
Facilitator: Sister Martha Schweiger, OSB

This age-old Eastern practice is now used as a stretching exercise and for meditation. Yoga focuses on techniques which energize the body and improve flexibility.


Download the Winter-Spring '12 offerings brochure.