Deepening the Spiritual Life of the Meeting
Workshop # 52
Mary Ann Downey
In meeting for worship, we seek a deep sense of God's presence among us. What is the role of our appointed ministry and worship committees in anchoring the gathered stillness and nurturing vocal ministry? We will explore how meetings can deepen and nurture the spiritual life of the meeting, especially meeting for worship.
Percentage of time:
Worship/worship-sharing 25; Lecture 10; Discussion 25; Experiential 40
Adults only
Full Description
Our workshop will allow time each day for worship sharing and journaling focused on a query, a discussion of readings and time for work in small groups and as a whole on the following topics:
- The call to ministry and nurture in monthly and yearly meetings
- Joys and challenges of spiritual hospitality and nurture
- Anchoring worship and discerning movement of the Spirit in calls to ministry
- Spirit-led Eldering in response to needs of the meeting
- Supporting and being supported by a faith community
Worship Sharing Queries include:
What draws you to your meeting for worship? What holds you there? In what ways does your meeting for worship nourish your whole life?
How do we define and implement the work of ministry and nurture committees? What challenges is your meeting facing now?
What current strengths do you have within your meeting, but are under utilizing? If you could make two changes that would create transformative engagement among Friends, what would they be and how might you proceed?
How can we make the meeting a community in which each person is accepted and nurtured and strangers are welcome? What does your meeting need now to grow in grace and love?
