Practice

A collection of contemplative practices, alongside resources designed to help you connect with people and places in our diocesan community. Whether you’re new to this, seeking to deepen your practice, or would like to connect with companions on the way, you’ll find what you need here.

Centering Prayer

Centering prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer—experiencing the presence of the Real within us, closer than breathing or thinking. Developed by Thomas Keating and others, it’s based on the wisdom of the early Christian Desert Fathers and Mothers.

Centering Prayer Field Guide

Download this Field Guide as a PDF.

Centering prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer—experiencing the presence of the Real within us, closer than breathing or thinking. Developed by Thomas Keating and others, it’s based on the wisdom of the early Christian Desert Fathers and Mothers.

The Four Guidelines

  1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
  • Examples: Jesus, Abba, Peace, Stillness, God, Love, Silence, Faith, Trust
  • Choose one meaningful word and keep it consistent
  • The sacred word is not a mantra but a gentle gesture of returning to your intention
  1. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, silently introduce your sacred word.
  • Find a comfortable, alert position
  • Close your eyes to reduce distractions
  • Gently introduce your sacred word like a feather settling on cotton
  1. When engaged with your thoughts, return gently to your sacred word.
  • “Thoughts” include all perceptions: feelings, images, memories, plans, spiritual insights
  • Don’t try to stop thinking—this is normal
  • When you notice engagement with thoughts, gently return to your sacred word
  • This gentle return is the only “activity” of centering prayer
  1. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple more minutes.
  • This allows gradual transition back to ordinary consciousness
  • You may silently pray the Lord’s Prayer
  • Take time opening your eyes and returning to activity

The Heart of the Practice

Centering prayer is an act of consent—opening ourselves to God’s presence and action already stirring within us. This is not a technique for manufacturing spiritual experiences but a way of reorienting our lives. It’s a practice of releasing: releasing our grip on control, our spiritual ambitions, the ego’s endless agenda. In this releasing, we make space for God to work, to move, to transform us and the presence we bring to others and the world.

Centering Prayer Groups

Below are Centering Prayer Group meetings throughout our diocese. It’s a good idea to reach out to the group’s contact person to confirm the date and time for the group, just in case schedules have changed. You are welcome to reach out to Canon Emily Bruner Doane for help connecting with a group.

Mondays

St. James Episcopal Church, Knoxville
Location of Meeting: 1101 N Broadway, Knoxville, Tn 37917
Time of Meeting: 6:00 p.m. EST
Format: In-person
Contact: (865) 523-5687

Church of the Good Shepherd, Knoxville
Location of Meeting: 5409 Jacksboro Pike, Knoxville, Tn 37918
Time of Meeting: 7:00-8:00 p.m. EST
Format: In-person 
Contact: (865) 687-9420

Tuesdays

St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, Knoxville
Location of Meeting:  401 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, Tn. 37902
Time of Meeting:  9:30-9:50 a.m. EST
Format:  In-person
Contact:  Heather Stagg (hss3047@gmail.com), The Rev. Canon Thom Rasnick (thom@stjohnscathedral.org) 

St. Martin of Tours, Chattanooga
Location of Meeting:  7547 E. Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421
Time of Meeting:  9:30 a.m. EST
Format: In person
Contact:  Jeanie Rodgers, jeanierodg@epbfi.com

Chapel of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain
Location of Meeting: 211 Franklin Road, Lookout Mountain, Tn. 37350
Time of Meeting:  11:00 a.m. EST
Format:  In-person
Contact:  Ann Brown, brown01@yahoo.com, (901) 482-5903

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Johnson City
Location of Meeting:  Prayer Room at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 500 North Roan Street, Johnson City, Tn. 37601
Time of Meeting:  6:00-7:00 p.m. EST (5:45 p.m. Optional Check-in)
(There will be an announcement on email if there is no in-person option for a particular Tuesday evening)
Format: In-person & Zoom
Contact:  Frances Jackson, jxn621@gmail.com

St. Peters Episcopal Church, Chattanooga
Time of Meeting:  7:00 p.m. EST (optional check in at 6:45 p.m. EST)
Format: Zoom
Contact:  Joan Koch, joankoch@bellsouth.net, (423) 774-5817

Wednesday

St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, Knoxville
Location of Meeting:  401 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, Tn. 37902
Time of Meeting:  9:30-9:50 a.m. EST
Format:  In-person
Contact:  Heather Stagg (hss3047@gmail.com), The Rev. Canon Thom Rasnick (thom@stjohnscathedral.org)

St. Timothy’s Episcopal, Signal Mountain
Location of Meeting: Chapel at St. Timothy’s
Time of Meeting: 12:00-1:00p.m. EST
Format: In-person 
Contact: (423) 886-2281 

Online Centering Prayer Group
Time of Meeting:  3:30p.m. CST
Format: Zoom
Contact:  Margaret Caldwell, margaret.caldwell@gmail.com, (423)290-1640

Thursday

St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, Knoxville
Location of Meeting:  401 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, Tn. 37902
Time of Meeting:  9:30-9:50 a.m. EST
Format:  In-person
Contact:  Heather Stagg (hss3047@gmail.com), The Rev. Canon Thom Rasnick (thom@stjohnscathedral.org) 

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Oak Ridge
Time of Meeting:  4:00-4:45 p.m. EST
Format:  Zoom
Contact:  Liz and Steve Herbes (liznsteveherbes@yahoo.com)

Church of the Ascension, Knoxville
Location of Meeting:  Church Library, 800 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, Tn. 37919
Time of Meeting:  4:00-5:00 p.m. EST
Format: In-person
Contact:  Bill Poppen, (williamalfredp@gmail.com)

Diocesan House, Knoxville
Location of Meeting: Diocesan House, 814 Episcopal School Way, Knoxville, TN 37932
Time of Meeting:  4:00-4:45 p.m. EST
Format: In-person and Zoom
Contact:  Canon Emily Bruner Doane, (ebrunerdoane@dioet.org)

St. Paul’s Episcopal, Chattanooga
Location of Meeting: Chapel, 305 W 7th St, Chattanooga, Tn 37402
Time of Meeting: 5:30-6:30p.m. EST
Format: In-person 
Contact: (423) 266-8195

Friday

St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, Knoxville
Location of Meeting:  401 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, Tn. 37902
Time of Meeting: 9:00- 9:30a.m. EST
Format:  In-person
Contact:  Heather Stagg (hss3047@gmail.com), The Rev. Canon Thom Rasnick (thom@stjohnscathedral.org)

St. Paul’s Episcopal, Chattanooga
Location of Meeting: Chapel, 305 W 7th St, Chattanooga, Tn. 37402
Time of Meeting: 10:00-11:00 a.m. EST
Format: In-person 
Contact: (423) 266-8195

Grace Episcopal, Chattanooga
Location of Meeting: 20 Belvoir Avenue, Chattanooga, Tn. 37411 (1st two Fridays of the month)
Time: 1:00p.m. EST
Format: In-person 1st two Fridays of the month; Zoom the following Fridays of the month
Contact: Barbara Ray (barbaraannray123@gmail.com)

Saturday

Online Centering Prayer Group
Time of Meeting:  3:30 p.m. CST
Format: Zoom
Contact:  Margaret Caldwell, margaret.caldwell@gmail.com, (423) 290-1640

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina—Latin for “sacred reading”—is an ancient practice of encountering Scripture as a living word. Rather than analyzing the text, we listen for how God speaks to us through it, allowing the words to work upon our hearts. This contemplative way with Scripture has quietly sustained Christian prayer through a long lineage stretching back to early monastic practice. Many Centering Prayer groups also incorporate Lectio Divina in their weekly gatherings.

Lectio Divina Field Guide

Download this Field Guide as a PDF.

Lectio Divina—Latin for “sacred reading”—is an ancient practice of encountering Scripture as a living word. Rather than analyzing the text, we listen for how God speaks to us through it, allowing the words to work upon our hearts. This contemplative way with Scripture has quietly sustained Christian prayer through a long lineage stretching back to early monastic practice.

The Four Movements 

  1. Lectio (Reading): Read the passage slowly, aloud if possible, and notice what word or phrase draws your attention.
  • Choose a short passage—a few verses or a brief section
  • Read it slowly, savoring the language
  • A word or phrase will likely “shimmer” or stand out to you
  • You need not understand why; simply notice what calls to you
  • Read it again, listening for that particular word or phrase

2. Meditatio (Pondering): Sit with the word or phrase that drew you, turning it over gently in your heart.

  • Repeat the word or phrase softly, like a refrain
  • Notice memories, images, or feelings it evokes
  • What does this word mean to you in this moment of your life?
  • Don’t force interpretation—allow impressions to arise naturally
  • Let the word work on you, rather than you working on the word

3. Oratio (Prayer): Respond honestly to what you’ve heard, speaking your heart to God.

  • This may be gratitude, a question, a confession, or a request
  • It may be wordless—simply resting in what has stirred within you
  • Speak as you would to someone you trust deeply
  • There is no “right” way to respond; authenticity is what matters

4. Contemplatio (Contemplation): Rest in silence, open to God’s presence beyond words.

  • Release even your prayers into the stillness
  • Simply be present to the communion already occurring
  • You may sense nothing—that is perfectly sufficient
  • Gradually return to ordinary awareness, carrying the peace with you

The Heart of the Practice

Lectio Divina is an encounter, not a study. We approach Scripture not as a text to master but as living ground where God meets us. In these Four Movements, we are gradually transformed—our understanding deepens, our resistance softens, our capacity to hear and respond to God’s voice awakens. Through this ancient practice, the Word becomes not merely something we read, but something that reads us, revealing what lies beneath the surface of our lives.