“It’s time aside for just me and God.”

Carrie Marston
Special to Spur Ottawa

A local women’s ministry is heading up their annual Quiet Pools Conference on June 11. Quiet Pools explores contemplative prayer and other creative ways of connecting with God.

“Quiet Pools started out of a desire to introduce aspects of the contemplative lifestyle to women in Christian leadership roles in ministry and the marketplace,” explains Terry Long, one of the Quiet Pools leaders. “The conference builds on our regular meetings. It has expanded to include all women, of any age.”

Long says there is a new interest in Christian contemplative practices. In a society that is constantly busy, stuck to technology, and unable to slowdown, many believers are looking for ways to connect with God on a deeper level. Contemplative prayer introduces ways to slow down and embrace the calm and quiet.

Long believes people are more interested in contemplative prayer “out of sheer exhaustion from trying (often unsuccessfully) to do and be all things for God.”

Vikki Ruby has been involved with Quiet Pools since it started. She says she is excited for women to come to the conference and experience creativity in prayer.

“We’re busy, we’re trying to serve God in everything, and [spiritual disciplines] get overlooked and decrease in value,” she says. “Quiet Pools taught me ways to slow down and develop communication with Christ.”

“It teaches a fresh perspective in my spiritual walk, from age-old practices.”

The conference runs from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Metropolitan Bible Church. Last year they completely sold out. The main focus this year is spiritual disciplines, with the theme, “Draw Near to God Together!” The workshops explore using creativity to interact with God, ancient Christian techniques to read and understand the scriptures, and recognizing God in your daily life.

They also have quiet alone time to pray and reflect on the speakers’ words, and how to apply them in your own life.

“Mainly for me, it’s time aside for just me and God,” Ruby explains. “It teaches a fresh perspective in my spiritual walk, from age-old practices. [It trains you] to long for the fruit of the Spirit through understanding spiritual discipline.”

The Quite Pools meetings and conference slow everything down. Women come to rest, pray, and worship in a calm atmosphere, surrounded by other women doing the same.

“We draw near to God,” says Long, “and God draws near to us.”