Aurora pastor attends spiritual renewal retreat

The Rev. Tammy Scott, lead pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora, recently completed part two of a two-year, three-part contemplative spiritual renewal series.

From Jan. 18-24, Pastor Scott attended a residential ecumenical clergy retreat at the Ecumenical Center for Clergy Spiritual Renewal at Holy Wisdom monastery, a Benedictine abbey in Middleton, Wis., near Madison.

She was reunited with 17 clergy companions and three leaders. Rev. Scott is among 18 clergy from across the U.S. that were selected for the three-part, yearlong course focused on the well-being of pastors. She began the program with an immersion July 10-17.

Her January experience focused on forming a spiritual rule or rhythm of life. Each pastor presented a rule to the student group and the sisters’ community of Holy Wisdom near the end of this retreat.

Pastor Scott reflected on her experience in the February Wesleyan, the church newsletter, saying “I have returned rested, renewed and grounded in my faith!”

She wrote that each morning began with 20 minutes of silent, contemplative prayer and Liturgy of the Hours with the Benedictine sisters. Participants daily practiced Qigong, a Chinese movement to optimize energy in the body, mind and spirit. Additionally, there were contemplative listening circles, midday prayers and group meals. Learning and thinking about St. Benedict’s Rule of Life led to students forming their his own rules.

Days ended with evening prayers and silent, contemplative prayers.

The third of her three immersions is scheduled for June.

An Oswego resident, Rev. Scott was chosen out of a large pool of applicants to be in a cohort of ecumenical pastors participating in contemplative renewal.

Rev. Tammy Scott invites the public to Sunday worship services at 14 N. May St. in Aurora at 10:30 a.m. in person or online at 9:30 a.m. at wesleyumcaurora.online.church/.

For details, call (630) 896-1033 or visit wesleyumcaurora.org.