Advent Spirituality Center

Local Programs

At the heart of the Advent Spirituality Center is the practice of prayer. There are regular opportunities for people in the Mars Hill area to meet and pray together in groups sponsored by the Advent Center. Anyone is welcome to join these groups at any time.

Prayer and Soup: Every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. a group meets for Prayer and Soup at Mars Hill United Methodist Church. This weekly contemplative prayer service varies in format and often includes Centering Prayer, lectio divina, intercessory prayer and silence. In addition, sacred scripture from various traditions, poetry and meditative song are a frequent part of the prayer time. The group has a commitment to welcoming all persons who seek to share the quest for a growing life in God.

The weekly prayer group enjoys lunch together after prayer is completed. The lunch — usually soup and salad — is prepared by volunteers within the group and is paid for by contributions of the participants. The Mars Hill United Methodist Church is located on South Main Street in Mars Hill across from the Mars Hill Retirement Center.

Centering Prayer: The Advent Center sponsors a monthly group meeting for the practice of Centering Prayer — a wordless prayer in which one’s intention is to be open to the presence and activity of God within the heart of the individual. The Centering Prayer Group meets 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. the third Saturday of each month in a quiet setting at Givens Estates for three periods (twenty minutes each) of Centering Prayer interspersed with meditative walking. The participants in the group come from differing levels of background and experience with Centering Prayer. As with all our other programs, everyone is welcome. Please go to the main entrance of Givens Estates which is in the Oxford Commons Building. There you will be greeted and receive direction to the prayer room. Call 828-687-9121 or 828-545-1929 for more information.