Mindful Living Thursdays

This is a NEW series, designed to accomodate busy and unpredictable schedules.

No registration or prior planning is needed. Just know that on Thursday evenings, when you need a calming reminder and Mindful Practice after a hectic week, we have you covered.

A growing body of neuroscience research supports both mindfulness and contemplative practices as effective tools to help reduce stress and cultivate a greater capacity for compassion—both of which are deeply needed in our lives and in our worlds. 

Come to one or come to all. It’s your choice - even last minute.

Pay at the door; then, rejuvenate and strengthen yourself, in community.

Facilitators rotate and include:

Mollie Erickson, Jose Fernandez, Miriam Rose Lee, Mary Bea Sullivan, and Elizabeth Vander Kamp.

How It Works

• Duration:10 weekly sessions.

• Format: Weekly in-person meetings

• Each week there will be instruction, followed by guided practice and connection.

• Practices will vary, depending on the facilitator. Their variety is a gift to us.

• Mindful Living topics may include:

  • Prayer or Meditation

  • Breathing

  • Mindful Eating and Drinking

  • Thoughts/Speech/Action

  • Forgiveness

  • Healthy Boundries

  • and more

• We will dismiss promptly at 7:30.

What You’ll Need

• $15 cash or a debit or credit card; we also accept Apple and Google Pay.

• Bring a water bottle, if desired.

• Ask friends to come with you or look forward to building connections with new people here.

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Dates & Time of the Program:

• 10 Thursday Evenings, September 18 - November 20

• 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Fee:

• The cost of each session is $15, which is paid at the door. If possible, come early to pay and get settled.

• The space is limited to the first 25 people.

Meeting Information:

• Until renovations are complete at the Threshold Center, this program will be graciously hosted across the street from the Threshold Center at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3775 Crosshaven Drive, Vestavia AL 35223.

• Enter through the covered doors at the front parking lot. Someone will greet and direct you to the correct space from there.

Mollie Erickson, Program Facilitator

Mollie Erickson is the Wellness Coordinator at One Place Family Justice Center and the Camp Hope Initiatives Coordinator for the Camp HOPE America-Alabama program housed at One Place. Mollie provides wellness education and opportunities for all the agencies who work on site to make One Place a success.

She is a 200-hour E-RYT Yoga Instructor who provides services both online and in our Birmingham area. Mollie earned a BS in Anthropology from Emory University. Combining her knowledge of anthropology and yoga, Mollie studies the way vicarious trauma affects first responders, service providers, and caregivers and focuses on efforts to reduce burn out and increase resiliency.

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Rev. Dr. Jose Fernandez, Program Co-Facilitator

The Rev. José R. Fernández, PhD, began his ministry as the Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in March 2023. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Father José overcame the challenges of a disadvantaged background through education. He earned a BS in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, an MA in Secondary Science Education from Columbia University, and a PhD in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State University.

Rev. José pursued a successful academic career that combined research and education in the field of genetics of obesity and nutrition, serving as a faculty member and administrator in the Department of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 2017, after a decade as a mentor for the Education for Ministry (EfM) program, he felt a calling to explore ordained ministry. This led to seminary training at the Alabama Integrative Ministry School for bi-vocational priesthood, culminating in his ordination as an Episcopal priest in December 2021.

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MIRIAM ROSE LEE, Facilitator

Miriam is a Reiki Master, an intuitive energy healer and certified sound healer dedicated to creating transformative experiences through the power of education, energetic healing, and sound. Her warm approach and deep understanding of energy dynamics combines with her love for helping others, providing a safe space for deeper exploration and healing. She works with clients 1:1 and in group classes and has numerous free guided meditations and premium courses on InsightTimer.

Outside of her healing work, Miriam enjoys indulging in her love for Chai lattes and finds joy in spending time with her amazing 9-year-old daughter and immersing herself in the beauty of nature.

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Rev. Mary Bea Sullivan, Program Facilitator

Mary Bea is a retreat leader, spiritual director, nonprofit founder, and author. Her latest book is Living the Way of Love:  A 40-Day Devotional. Mary Bea’s exposure to various spiritual traditions and practices, and her training as a facilitator are well-suited to the mission. Collaborating with so many talented, generous-hearted people to bring the Threshold Center to life is the answer to a long-held prayer.

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Elizabeth Vander kamp, Facilitator

Elizabeth is an artist, an actress, a director, and one of our repeatedly loved facilitators at Threshold Center. Elizabeth's certifications and decades of experience are evident in her writing, performing, storytelling, story-listening and visual art. At UAB's Arts in Medicine program, she facilitated expressive writing for people living with disease, dementia, or injury, as well as caregivers to people with ALS. Recently, she directed “From Where I Sit” for the Lakeshore Foundation.

Elizabeth's passion for listening underpins all her work; she believes it is the foundation of love.