The Rev. Dr. Craig Townsend, Associate for Faith Formation, invites members and friends of St. Ann & the Holy Trinity to join him for an exploration of some classical and modern expressions of mysticism. We will compare the works of a Christian writer to those of a writer(s) from another faith tradition each month. Join Fr. Craig on the second Wednesday of the month during the 2022-2023 program year, starting on September 14, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, on Zoom.

The common usage of “mysticism” generally points to experiences, and expressions of those experiences, of human-divine connection or even union. There is a rich tradition of writings (and other portrayals) of mystical encounters between believers and God in the history of Christianity – from Teresa of Avila to Mary Oliver, and Augustine of Hippo to Howard Thurman, for example. And there are rich analogous traditions in other religions of the world as well, including the Sufi poet Rumi, the Jewish cabbalistic writings of the Zohar, and the Hindu poems of Mirabai.

Approximately 20-25 pages of reading will be assigned for each session. A full schedule and readings is posted on the series website. Please contact Fr. Craig if you wish to participate at .

Image: Nave looking west, Noirlac, 1990, by David Heald, in Kinder and Heald, Architecture of Slience: Cistercian Abbeys of France (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2000)