FACILITATORS & GUIDES

The Rev. R Carroll Travis is a retired, but very active priest of the Episcopal Church. He has served in five parishes in four states  over 50 years of ordained ministry. In addition to parish work he has offered spirituality workshops, retreats and quiet days based the reflective resources of his book Discovering the Treasure Within. Having recently settled in High Point as a member of St. Mary’s Church, Fr. Carroll feels strongly called to help establish The Friendship Table in its ministry of resident fellowship, spiritual development and outreach. He serves as chaplain, guide and spiritual mentor to the residents of the community.

“Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.”* In a culture keyed on “progress,” self-help and the pervasive notion that wisdom comes from without, this is a staggering and radical piece of advice. Against the din of war, division, despair, hatred and ego comes the profound whisper: Solvitur sedendo. “It is solved by sitting.”

Instrumental in creating St. Mary’s Center for Prayer & Spirituality, Diane Popalis has been pilgrim, teacher and companion for others in seeking the Voice from within one’s own stillness. This is not at all a “technique,” Diane is quick to point out: “…rather, contemplative prayer is a method of radical presence and consent. Without striving for outcome, practitioners speak of a transformational healing, freeing of the true self and other ‘fruits of the Spirit.’ The film is removed, so to speak, the veil parts, and the heart sees what the mind may tend to dismiss. Be still. And know.”

Following a life path as student, teacher, mother and contemplative seeker, Diane works with The Friendship Table as companion, guide and fellow explorer, extending her gifts to all seekers – of faith, little faith, or no faith at all. Come, be, become.

dianep@stmarysepisc.org

*Abba Moses, 4th century mystic among the community of the desert fathers and mothers.

Among many other things, Jose Abreu is our field guide, philosopher, example and mentor. Upon meeting him you will realize that, in his bones, he understands how things grow — not only food but community, conversation, compassion, love and understanding. He is a grocer, farmer, and food entrepreneur as well as the Director of Operations for Growing High Point, our primary partner agency, where he manages urban farms and helps lead the work of the Growdega, a mobile market that travels within areas of food hardship and insecurity within High Point.

Born and raised on a coffee plantation in the mountains of Dominican Republic, Jose’s family immigrated to New York City where he spent a childhood in bodegas learning the trade and skills that would allow him to leave the city and head to High Point to open his own grocery store.  Jose now owns and manages Superior Foods Supermarket as well as The Budding Artichoke.

To The Friendship Table, Jose is as much a prophet as a farmer, as much an artist as an entrepreneur, and as much a friend as teacher.