Embrace Your Path
through renewing and transforming practices
during the season of Lent
A collaboration between Mathew Francis, Teacher, Mentor, Business Leader and
Cynthia A.S. McKinley, Mentor, Chaplain, Facilitator
Join us during the season of Lent as we mindfully and heartfully
embrace nourishing sacred practices to
replace that which no longer serves us and thereby
cultivate spiritual growth as individuals and as members in community
We meet weekly on Fridays via Zoom in five sessions of 75 minutes each
during the six weeks of Lent 2025 on the following dates:
March 7, 14, 21 and April 4, 11
( Note: No session Friday March 28 )
Renewing and Transforming Practices
The Cleansing Set
30 minutes of active physical participation
Physically activate Bodymind engagement of mindfulness and contemplative practice through expressive
movement, posture, life stance, gesture, hand mudra, and footwork. Participants learn and practice a simple and
repetitive set of postures and movements intended to bring renewal, refreshment, and transformation, Body –
Mind – Spirit. This set is known as “The Cleansing Set”. Following the the Cleansing Set participants engage in
a walking prayer practice known as Walk Around the Mountain, followed by group participation in reciting The
Prayer for Guidance, The Our Father, and The Transformation Prayer.
Contemplative Prayer Practices
40 minutes of engaging heart and mind
Hearts and minds will open to and deepen individual and community relationship with Divinity in sacred space
though Contemplative Prayer Practices including Ora et Labora, Centering Prayer, Welcoming Prayer, and The
Jesus Prayer, while utilizing Lectio, Visio, and Musica Divina. Reference materials are available after sessions.
About the facilitator — Mathew Francis — Teacher, Mentor, Business Leader
Mathew founded The Unity Praxis in early 2000's, bringing together dedicated Christian Discipleship and Tai Ji practice. The Unity Praxis is a method of movement, meditation, prayer, contemplation, and stillness refined over many years. Mathew guides people to a deeper experience of life through faith, practice, and business. He shares learnings from his personal spiritual journey balancing work, life, and family through the wisdom of Eastern and Western traditions. He is currently President of Pacific Rim Advisory Group, a Business Strategy and Development and Family Succession firm in the Central Valley of California.
About the facilitator — Cynthia A.S. McKinley — Mentor, Chaplain, Facilitator
Cynthia is a seeker of wisdom guided by sacred teachings of mystics and saints and embraced through multiple contemplative practices that deepen her relationship with Divinity. Cynthia serves as a faith formation mentor, pastoral care chaplain, and prayer practices and chapel facilitator. Cynthia has degrees in mathematics, philosophy, international relations, and aerospace art and science and a certificate in theology; is a Yoga and Tai Ji practitioner, cyclist, and photographer. At her core, Cynthia is just a scribe who, guided by Spirit, gathers, breathes life into, brings good work to fruition, and shares sacred texts to provide opportunities for spiritual growth.
