
Upcoming Events
*All times listed in local time zone.
All dates for Notes of Rest, Circle of Trust, The JuJu Exchange, and other select appearances.
All times listed in local time zone.

An Ancient Flowing Stream: Black Contemplation Event with The Very Rev. Michael Battle, Ph.D. (virtual)
An Ancient Flowing Stream
How African Origins, Heritage, Culture and Music
Power the Christian Contemplative Spirit
Combining the wisdom and talents of two great teachers, this creative workshop will use storytelling, music, art, and poetry to bring alive the many contributions to contemplative life that flow from Africa and the Black experience.
Saturday, May 3, 2025 via Zoom
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM ( US/Canada Eastern)
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM ( US/Canada Central)
9:00 AM to Noon ( US/Canada Mountain)
8:00 AM to 11:00 AM ( US/Canada Pacific)
Presented by Michael Battle and Julian Davis Reid
Sponsored by: the Contemplative Outreach Chapters of Chicago, Atlanta, Colorado, and Maryland/Washington DC; Awakenings; Closer Than Breath; Centering Prayer USA, WCCM (the World Community for Christian Meditation), and the Theosophical Society in America
The instinct to search for and find a path to God flows like an ancient river through every human heart. It is universal, and like the human race itself, it has its source in Africa. Over time, the river of contemplation has been fed by streams from every continent, and experiencing this diversity of influences has great transformative power.
Here in the West, one stream of influence – white and European – has been the dominant approach to Christian contemplation, while alternative world views have tended to be neglected and silenced. But this is changing.
In Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices, diverse persons find a path that opens into communion, and so contemplative communities, often without recognizing it, yearn for access to the full range of human spiritual experience. At the same time, let us seek the grace to extend a warmer and more authentic welcome to people of all backgrounds, and to be transformed by what they can teach us. In doing so, we are transformed in Christ as we touch the common Divine Presence in a variety of unique expressions, discovering opportunities to deepen our awareness of God’s presence and action within ourselves, our communities, and our world.
As we open to a greater and more connected state of awareness, it is essential to do so communally, rather than just individually — to share our being more openly with others, including others of diverse backgrounds.
We invite you to swim in an ancient stream toward sacred Communal Contemplative Spirituality. This workshop will invite you into transformation as much as it invites you to learn about the African underpinnings of all contemplative practices, and Black American contemplative practices in particular.
Presenters:
The Very Rev. Michael Battle, Ph.D. is the Extraordinary Professor at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, Theologian in Community at Trinity Church Boston and formerly taught at General Theological Seminary in New York where he was the Herbert Thompson Professor of Church and Society and Director of the Desmond Tutu Center. In 1993 he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Battle’s clergy experience, in addition to his academic work, makes him an internationally sought after speaker, teacher, writer and spiritual leader. He has published nine books, including Reconciliation: the Ubuntu Theology of Desmond Tutu, and Ubuntu: I in You and You in Me.
In 2010, Battle was given one of the highest Anglican Church distinctions as “Six Preacher,” by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. His PeaceBattle Institute works on subjects of diversity, spirituality, prayer, race and reconciliation.
Battle and his wife, Raquel, were married by Archbishop Tutu and are parents to two daughters, Sage and Bliss, and a son, Zion. All of whom were baptized by Archbishop Tutu as well.
Click here to read more on Michael Battle's website.
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Julian Davis Reid, M.Div. (Candler School of Theology) is a child of God, the husband of Carmen and father of Lydia, a son and brother, and a Black artist-theologian of Chicago who uses words and music to invite us into the restful lives we were created to live. A musician, speaker, and writer, Julian is the founder of the ministry Notes of Rest®, which invites the weary into the rest of God practiced in the Bible and Black music.
Julian has released numerous records, including with his own ensemble Circle of Trust and the jazz-electronic fusion group The JuJu Exchange (with Nico Segal & Nova Zaii), as well as collaborative work with saxophonist Isaiah Collier. His most recent release is the calming solo piano album, “Beside Still Waters: A Notes of Rest Offering.”
Julian has performed at the Montreal Jazz Fest and Lollapalooza. He has worked or performed with Jennifer Hudson, Chance the Rapper, Tank and the Bangas, and Isaiah Collier.
An award-winning writer, Julian writes about faith, music, Blackness, and rest on his Substack “Julian’s Note.” Julian also consults with the boutique consultancy Fearless Dialogues.
Registration Information
This is an on-line Zoom workshop. This workshop will be recorded.
Ticket Pricing: (If you have a promotional code, enter it and hit Apply first, and a new discounted ticket price will be displayed at the top of the Tickets box.)
Early Bird General Ticket - $35 (Through March 22nd)
Recommended Contribution Ticket - $50 (Starting March 23rd)
Sponsorship Contribution Ticket - $100 - For those who would like to make an additional contribution to the ongoing work of Contemplative Outreach Chicago.
Scholarships are available. Contact the registrar at registrar@centeringprayerchicago.org
Any pre-workshop materials will be emailed to you by May 2nd.
Registration closes at 11:45 PM (Central) on May 2nd.
Questions?
Please email registrar@centeringprayerchicago.org if you have any questions.
Software Platform Information:
Workshop requires Zoom for Windows, Mac, or mobile device; minimum recommended network bandwidth 1.5 Mbps. Please download Zoom for free at zoom.us/download, and test your connection at zoom.us/test.

Notes of Rest Retreat - Oregon, IL
Notes of Rest Retreat + May 30-31, 2025
The Notes of Rest Retreat will be a time of extended reflection on your sabbath practice as a means of spiritual transformation.
Led by artist-theologian Julian Davis Reid and in partnership with Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, we'll receive from God through classical spiritual disciplines such as sacred reading and extended silence, as well as through Black music and a live concert. Jesus has promised to give us rest for our souls amidst the work that is ours to do; let us therefore receive and give notes one to another.
Date: May 30-31, 2025
Time: 5pm Friday to 3pm Saturday
Cost: $200 with sliding scale available. Covers three meals, housing and programming. Only 50 spots available.
Location:Stronghold Camp and Conference Center, Oregon, IL
Registration Deadline: May 1, 2025
A note about housing: The retreat will be housed in the historic castle. The rooms are comfortable and cozy, more hostel than hotel. Guests will share space, including bathrooms. We recommend coming with a small group you know.
Note about pricing: The Garrett Collective is a program of Garrett Seminary that seeks to make theological education accessible to as many people as possible. Thus, we invite participants to pay what they can, using an economic justice model and trusting that there is enough.
If you are able to, please pay the full cost of this event. This makes it possible for Garrett to underwrite the costs of other people.
Otherwise use the following codes as necessary:
GETS10: I need a little bit of support to come to this event. We all need support sometimes!
GETS25: I need a little bit more support to come to this event.
GETS50: I need a 50% discount for this event. Everyone deserves access to theological education.
For more than 50% off the cost of an event, please contact the rev. dr. abby mohaupt at abby.mohaupt@garrett.edu. We seek to balance the needs of participants and the costs of programming, including paying fair wages to our facilitators and content creators.
No information about economic need or privilege is shared with other participants.
If you have questions regarding this event, please contact the rev. dr. abby mohaupt at abby.mohaupt@garrett.edu.
If you have any issues using this registration, please email collective@garrett.edu.
This event is sponsored by Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Notes of Rest at Yale Divinity School & Performing with Kevin Olusola (New Haven, CT)
I’ll be hosting a Notes of Rest session at Marquand Chapel at Yale Divinity School. I’ll also be joined by my dear friend - the critically acclaimed musician and fellow Yalee Kevin Olusola.
For more information, check out the Marquand Chapel website: https://yaleconnect.yale.edu/ydsmarquand/events/

Notes of Rest - McCormick Theological Seminary
Find peace and rhythm at Notes of Rest, a Jazz Vespers experience Join us March 18th at 6 PM on the McCormick campus (Room 210), as part of Formation Week.
Read more about McCormick’s Formation Week 2025 and RSVP HERE.
Hope to see you there.
Peace.

The JuJu Exchange @ The Promontory
We’re bringing something special to The Promontory on March 12 🎶✨ Get ready for new music as we step into a whole new era!
Excited to showcase new tunes and welcome friends from near and far! Head over to Eventbrite to get your tickets before they run out.

Prayer as Resistance 2.2: Notes of Rest with Julian Davis Reid
Friday, March 7
7:30 pm – Princeton Seminary Chapel – Evening Jazz Concert
Join us for a concert featuring Julian Davis Reid and a trio of jazz musicians. Check out past concert recordings:
2023 and 2022.
This event is free and open to the public and will be livestreamed on YouTube.
Saturday, March 8
10 am – Stuart Hall 6 – Retreat Session 1: Practicing the Scale
Introduction to Notes of Rest, exploring music and theology for practical rest. Available virtually on Airmeet.
12 pm – MacKay Student Center – Lunch Together
1:30 pm – Stuart Hall 6 – Session 2: Playing in Time
Exploring the spiritual practice of discernment in relation to sleep. Available virtually on Airmeet.
3:15 pm – Stuart Hall 6 – Session 3: Listening Back to Rehearsal
A reflection on Sabbath practices and their evolution through Scripture. Available virtually on Airmeet.
4:45 pm – Stuart Hall 6 – Retreat Dismissal
5 pm – Dinner Break
Enjoy dinner on your own in downtown Princeton. A list of recommended eateries will be provided upon arrival.
8 pm – Erdman Cooper Conference Room – An Evening of Live Poetry
Hosted by Goldenwood NYC, EcoTheo Collective, and the CCL. Featuring poetry from Alysia Nicole Harris and Anastacia-Renee.
A community gathering to explore poetry, conversation, and meaning-making. Free and open to the public, recorded for later viewing on YouTube.


The JuJu Exchange at Divan Chicago
Join us for a captivating night of music and indulgence at Divan Chicago, where the celebrated culinary experience meets the electric sounds of The JuJu Exchange. The atmosphere will be as vibrant as it is sophisticated. Reserve your seat now for a memorable night of music in one of Chicago’s top luxury locations.

JDR & Circle of Trust
Free; Jazz and Gospel Quintet playing Christmas music and originals.
This is the last Circle of Trust Christmas gig for the Christmas 2024 season. I’m excited to debut a new version of O Holy Night. It’s going to be tight.
Doors at 5:30.
Notes of Rest at Plymouth UCC
Notes of Rest during Saturday evening and Sunday morning service, Circle of Trust Sunday afternoon
The JuJu Exchange at Alternating Currents
2 locations: 5.30p at 318 E Second, 9.30p at 325 E Second Tickets
Notes of Rest at Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium
Free and open to the public register here
Notes of Rest at McCormick Theological Seminary
Free and open to the public register here


Notes of Rest at Duke Divinity School
A Notes of Rest session for the students, faculty and staff of Duke Divinity School. More details to come.


Notes of Rest for Advent
Notes of Rest for Advent uses the Bible and solo piano as a spiritual massage for those waiting for the Savior's coming. Come rest.