Middleway Urban Monastery
Opens Location In Downtown Bryan
Information courtesy of Middleway Urban Monastery
Middleway Urban Monastery is opening a location for prayer and spiritual reflection at 309 N. Tabor Ave in downtown Bryan, Texas. This is Middleway’s first physical site, and complements its online presence which began in June 2020. The monastery officially opened on Tuesday, November 2. The public is also invited to a grand opening to be held on Friday Nov. 5th at 6-8 p.m., with a blessing of the Monastery at 6:30 p.m.
The monastery will serve the greater Brazos Valley as a place of spiritual respite for individuals at any stage in their faith journey. The mission is to provide space for those seeking hope, comfort, and peace as they explore a range of ways to experience God’s love. It is open to all individuals interested in exploring spirituality. The space will be open Tuesday through Friday and the First and Fourth Saturday of the month from 10am to 4pm. There are also plans to open for prayer and special services on Thursday evenings as well.
The space will feature a library with more than 2,000 books on spirituality, a reception area, a multi-purpose space with seating and quite areas, a place dedicated to artistic expression, and two private rooms that can be used for personal prayer, meditation or Spiritual Direction. Retreats and workshops will also be scheduled regularly at the site on Saturdays. The monastery stems from ecumenical Christian Spirituality, but all are welcome to come enjoy the meditative space.
Middleway Urban Monastery began as an online initiative in June 2020 by a team of spiritual directors who recognized the need for spiritual support in the local area. Founders include Heidi Campbell, Kathleen Phillips, Rich Nelson, and Amy Brunt Thompson. Other area spiritual directors have joined the effort to offer a ministry of listening, spiritual encouragement and understanding to visitors. The aim of the monastery is to provide a place for prayer and learning, not evangelism. Middleway is initially funded by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas as a mission community of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Bryan. Middleway is run by a “Circle of Stewards” composed of volunteers who staff the monastery, provide spiritual direction to visitors, and lead programs.
Middleway will also host its first public workshop on spirituality on Nov. 13 entitled, “Enneagram for Fuller Loving and Living” to be presented by Jim and Kathy Reiter of Bryan. As an introductory special, this workshop will be free to the first 20 who sign up beginning Nov. 2 at the monastery.
For more information, contact Middleway Urban Monastery at info@middlewayurbanmonastery.org or connect on social media, a complete list of which can be found at https://www.middlewayurbanmonastery.org/.