About Hidden Brook

Hidden Brook is a contemplative service using prayer, scripture, Taize music, other music, poetry, readings and silence. We meet via Zoom at 6pm on the first Tuesday of each month. We also meet in-person at the church at 6pm on the third Tuesday of each month, with Zoom participation available.

For an invitation to the Zoom Hidden Brook service, contact Steve Steadman at sgsteadman@gmail.com.

This Week at Hidden Brook

We now celebrate Hidden Brook on the first Tuesday of each month via Zoom, and on the third Tuesday of the month in-person with Zoom access. Our next Hidden Brook service will be held via Zoom at 6 pm on March 3. Our theme will be the relationship of Solitude and Friendship. We will read some reflections on this theme by Sr. Joan Chittister, Henry David Thoreau and Mary S., as well as from psalms and Gospels.  Alternating with the readings, we will listen to popular sixties songs on different aspects of solitude by the Beatles, Ray Charles, Billie Holiday and Simon and Garfunkel.  There will also be prayers and petitions for those who are in need or find themselves alone and 10 minutes of meditative silence. The winter/spring Hidden Brook schedule follows. A volunteer is needed to prepare and lead the April 7 Zoom service. Contact Jim Donna jdonna7403@aol.com if you would like to lead this service.

March 3        Mary Skinner   Zoom

March 17      Beth Zwick   In-person

April 7           Volunteer needed   Zoom

April 21         Volunteer needed   In-person

May 5           Jim Donna             Zoom

May 19         Volunteer needed   In-person

Keep meditating! Keep praying!

Words ABOUT SILENCE

The silence sings.  It is musical.  I remember a night when it was audible.  I heard the unspeakable.

         -Henry David Thoreau [in Joan Konner, ed., You Don’t Have to Be Buddhist to Know Nothing]

Why Hidden Brook?

Our name "The Hidden Brook" resonates on several levels, both historic and spiritual. Literally, it describes the underground stream that runs down Russell Avenue and irrigated the celery farms that were on this land before the church was built. It was also the name of Good Shepherd's first nursery school. And now, for CGS's Tuesday night community in the 21st century, it evokes the spiritual hidden brooks in all our lives -- sources of peace and refreshment that we can touch more deeply by spending time on our inner journeys -- individually, yet still together.

What is TAIZÉ?

Taizé services are characterized by quiet and candlelight, the repetition of melodious chants sung many times in many languages, a period of silence, and contemplative prayer. Let the songs sing themselves in you. Once you catch the tune, let yourself find the words -- in your heart or as you listen to your brothers and  sisters as they sing. Let your spirit move along  the path provided by rhythmic repetition, deeper and deeper into the stillness  and beauty of God's presence.

AT ANY TIME DURING AN IN-PERSON HIDDEN BROOK SERVICE, FEEL FREE TO

  • Light a candle,

  • hold an object from the altar,

  • or move to any part of the church you prefer.