Contemplative Community Circle Mission Statement
The mission of the Contemplative Community Circle (CCC) is to provide a welcoming space for CCBC faculty and staff to learn, share, and experience contemplative practices through introspection, meaning making, creativity, insight, and connection to others. CCC members, in turn, share these contemplative practices with the CCBC community in and outside of the classroom.
The CCC is housed in the Office of Intercultural Engagement (OIE) and shares the commitment of promoting access and equity for all persons
What Is Contemplative Practice and Why Use It?
Contemplative Practices for Students
- We have developed a Week of Mindfulness (WofM) ahead of our conferences that includes multiple campuses, disciplines, and co-curricular experiences, to share contemplative practices with students.
- We bring speakers to campus to share ideas about mindfulness. Notably Marisela Gomez of the Baltimore and Beyond: Mindfulness Community
- We bring speakers to campus to share ideas about mindfulness. Notably Marisela Gomez of the Baltimore and Beyond: Mindfulness Community came to share with us in 2019.
- We hold periodic Refress-Sesh opportunities, where students may attend mindfulness experiences, such as the labyrinth walk, yoga, contemplative art, etc.
Other Contemplative Opportunities at CCBC
The Contemplative Community Circle (CCC) Was Founded by Stephanie Briggs in 2016
What Does the Contemplative Community Circle Do?
Monthly gatherings for faculty and staff
Our CCC consists of faculty and staff from all parts of the campus. We have representation from The Office of Intercultural Engagement, for-credit schools, the library, and continuing education, to name a few. We meet monthly to share contemplative practices and plan mindful events. If you would like to join us, please see the calendar for the next meeting and reach out to us for more information.
Annual Contemplative Community Circle/Continuing Education Conference
Each year, we hold a conference on contemplative practice.
Rooted in Community & Contemplative Practice Mini-Conference, November 2018 connected with Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing.
Threading Care, Compassion and Social Justice through Contemplative Practice,
November 2019 connected with Kate Evans’ Threads of the Refugee Crisis.
Finding Our Truth, Finding Our Stories, through Contemplative Practice,
October 2020 connected with Thomas King’s The Truth about Stories
Contemplative Community Circle Conference, 2021
Stay tuned for more information regarding the Fall 2021 conference, which will focus on themes from the Community Book, Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting through the Storm, by Tich Nhat Hanh. Date TBD.
Mindfulness for Faculty
- Professional Development: We share contemplative practice sessions at professional development opportunities.
- Mindfulness Spaces: We created affinity meditation groups for racial justice and healing in Fall 2020.
- Contemplative Retreats: We have shared retreats for faculty, such as one held at Thorpewood Retreat Center in Thurmont for School of Health Professionals in 2017.
If you have an idea how contemplative practices might be useful for your program, please contact us
CCC Relationships at CCBC
We work with departments, groups and organizations on campus to strengthen contemplative practice opportunities.
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The Office of Intercultural EngagementThe CCC is housed in the Office of Intercultural Engagement.
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Continuing Education, Lifelong LearningThe CCC partners with Continuing Education, particularly for the annual conference.
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The Community Book ConnectionEach year, the CCC chooses a theme for the Week of Mindfulness and conference in tandem with the Community Book.
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Culturally Responsive Teaching and LearningCCC members share contemplative practices during the CRT Conference.
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The Office of Student LifeCCBC Student Ambassadors, through the Student Life Program, have assisted with CCC events.
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Social Justice InitiativesThe CCC shares contemplative practices and co-sponsorship for social justice initiatives at CCBC, co-sponsoring events and running workshops related to social justice.
If you would like to partner with the Contemplative Community Circle, please reach out. Contact information below.
Contact Us!
Do you have questions or ideas for the Contemplative Community Circle? Please contact Contemplative Community Circle Co-Facilitators, Dave Hewitt (dhewitt@ccbcmd.edu) or Alyssa Simms-Clark (asimmsclark@ccbcmd.edu)
Do you have a suggestion for this Library Research Page? Please contact Amy Pucino (apucino@ccbcmd.edu) or Debra Sambuco (dsambuco@ccbcmd.edu)