Transforming Hearts

Episcopal House of Prayer’s Apprenticeship in the Contemplative Arts

Transforming Hearts is a three-year formation program for active lay leaders in Minnesota’s Episcopal parishes who desire to grow and deepen in Christian contemplative practice.

Transformation takes place through, and at the pace of, relationship. And it is relationship that lies at the heart of this program. Three times each year, the Transforming Hearts cohorts gather at EHoP for a weekend of retreat. This “time apart together” is essential to the formation of a way of being together – with God, self, the earth, and others – that many of us long for in an increasingly distracted, guarded, and fragmented society. As they cross the threshold into the House, cohorts fall into the rhythms of contemplative community through shared rest, meals, and engagement with three major disciplines: 

Contemplative Dialogue (winter retreat) 

Discernment (summer retreat) 

Daily Wisdom (fall retreat) 

In the months between retreats, cohorts continue to grow in shared practices of prayer and attention through online workshops facilitated by Transforming Hearts staff, and in self-guided Contemplative Dialogue Circles within their parish cell groups. A sample of the contemplative prayer forms at the heart of our practice include the Examen, Centering Prayer, Ignatian Prayer, the Labyrinth meditation, and Lectio Divina.

The first two years of formation flow into a third year, when cell groups bring the fruits of their contemplative practice back to their parishes. Ultimately, Transforming Hearts supports a vision of thriving congregations, where parishioners grow in the practice of listening deeply to themselves, to others, and to God, and have a palpable sense of the Holy One already at work in their midst.

Reflections from Our First Cycle
2025 – 2027

In January 2025, we welcomed our first cohorts of Transforming Hearts, representing six parishes of the ECMN: Grace Episcopal Church (Minneapolis); St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (St. Paul); St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Duluth); St. Clement’s Episcopal Church (St. Paul); St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (St. Paul); Trinity Episcopal Church (Excelsior).

If I look back on my life, I can identify a longing I didn’t know how to name, a reaching for something I couldn’t recognize. … I’m learning that this state is natural and not something I’m failing at or not good enough to experience. I’m learning through the teaching, practices, and interactions with other spiritual seekers to see a new face of God. And, to see God more and more as inside the depths of my being rather than outside and out of reach. I’m deeply grateful!
– Grace, Trinity Episcopal Church (Excelsior) cell group

These congregations represent a spectrum of diversity in our diocese, whose potential impact on both their communities and the wider church are significant. I am eager to see what is possible through their participation in this offering.
– The Rt. Rev. Craig W. Loya

Join Our Next Cycle of Formation!
2027 – 2029

Are you a leader in your parish who longs for: 
… a place of regular rest and generous hospitality? 
… connection and community-building with other leaders from Episcopal churches across Minnesota? 
… shared practice in listening and responding to God, self, and others?  
… personal and communal spiritual formation, supported by an intentional, structured process? 
… incorporating contemplative practice in the life of your parish?

Are there others in your parish who share this longing?

If something just leapt within you, we’d love to hear from you! Complete this interest form if you would like to receive further information about our 2nd cycle of Transforming Hearts (2027-2029). Official application forms will be sent out with a full program description mid-May and onward to parishes who express interest and have begun to identify four potential participants.

Transforming Hearts is hosted at the Episcopal House of Prayer (EHoP) in Collegeville, Minnesota and is funded by the Thriving Congregations Initiative grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.