During March, many in our congregation responded to the crisis in Ukraine with donations to Last Bell Ministries (www.lastbell.org).  Last Bell Ministries has been serving orphans and orphanage graduates in Zhytomyr, Ukraine since 2006. Ukrainian staff members mentor, counsel, apprentice, and disciple these young adults, living out a mission of loving and restoring orphanage graduates towards life and community.  Following is a short update.

To date, Last Bell has helped about 300 orphan graduates and their children evacuate to Latvia, Romania, Poland and other bordering countries.  A group of Last Bell refugees who were housed in a retreat center in Poland are making another move, leaving for the Netherlands to make room for other refugees to come to Poland. Of Ukraine’s 44 million people, about 10 million are now displaced; 4 million have fled across the border which means 1 million new refugees each week.

Most of the Last Bell staff are still in Ukraine and meeting the needs of local orphaned students and families and neighbors.  A staff member wrote, “As you pray for our displaced families, God is providing. Thank you!”

Liz Sayre, March 30, 2022

Mark Kutolowski Centering Prayer Retreat Leader

Dear Fellow Member,

We appreciate the challenges that a weekend retreat presents for those needing to negotiate parental and caregiver responsibilities or time apart after work week travel. Please take a moment to consider the benefits of saying yes. This retreat offers a space to refresh energy and spirit. Come and give yourself the gift of silence, stillness and solitude. the fruits of contemplative practice which open us to new capacities in daily life.

Blessings, Your Health Ministry

The weekend retreat will be held at the ocean view  Marie Joseph Spiritual Center,  10 Evans Road in  Biddeford, ME 04005, 207 284-5671      

A Lenten Path to God’s presence and action within us.
Join us for . . .

• Guided Practice in Centering Prayer, Welcoming Prayer and other contemplative practices
• Silence in community to reduce distractions and foster attention to God.
• Restorative rest away from the daily rush of life’s demands and challenges.

Mark Kutolowski, a seasoned retreat leader and Vermont naturalist, began teaching Christian meditation in 2003. He is a commissioned Centering Prayer presenter for Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. Direct questions or learn more about the retreat by contacting Kathleen Zagata or Rev. Will Burhans.

Open to the divine presence, the source of all healing, through prayer.

Retreat Schedule

Friday Arrival: 5:30-6:30 pm

Friday Program: 7-9 pm

Saturday: 9-12noon, 2-4pm , 6-9pm

Sunday 8-11 am

Program includes:

• Orientation to contemplative practices.
• Daily Prayer sessions.
• Time for prayerful movement, chant, reflection and rest.
• Individual meeting with Mark Kutolowski or Rev Will Burhans as time permits.
• Celebration of Communion.

Cost: $225 per person covers retreat expenses, private room, three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday morning. Scholarships are available upon request.