Spiritual
Formation Program
Deepening the Spiritual Experience of Modern Friends
DO YOU SEEK A DEEPER SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE?
You are invited to participate in the BYM Spiritual Formation
Program.
The Baltimore Yearly Meeting Spiritual Formation
Program invites its participants into a deeper experience of God’s presence
through retreats, devotional readings, spiritual community and individual
spiritual practices. Spiritual Formation provides a practical way for people
in our busy culture to turn to God with their minds through spiritual reading,
with their hearts through daily spiritual practices and with their human relationships
through local friendship groups.
Participants attend retreat weekends at the beginning
(September 5-7, 2008) and end (May 15-17, 2009) of the Program
year. During the year, participants attend two meetings per month: (1) the
monthly meeting of the local group to share reflections on a spiritual book
that all have agreed to read; and (2) the monthly meeting of the friendship
group, a subset of the local group -- usually three to five people -- who
meet to share spiritual journeys and to support one another in spiritual practices.
In addition, each participant is encouraged to devote at least 15 minutes
per day to a spiritual practice. Those who participate in the Program are
rewarded with a closer relationship with God and an opportunity to form deep
spiritual friendships.
If you seek a richer spiritual experience or
yearn for a deeper spiritual community, the Spiritual Formation Program may
be for you. The Program serves Friends (and meeting attenders) who are at
many stages of their spiritual journeys. Those who are new to Friends find
that the Program is an effective way to learn about Quaker spirituality and
to form personal friendships within the meeting. Long-time Friends who are
experiencing a period of spiritual dryness or who have become burnt out with
committee work turn to the Program for spiritual renewal. Friends who are
beginning to feel God’s call into service and who want to explore their gifts
and leadings in community find that the Program meets their needs. The Program
meets all of its participants wherever they are in the journey, and all benefit
when the group includes Friends with a variety of backgrounds and reasons
for participating. Whatever your reason for wanting to participate in the
Program, you will find it transforming.
In addition to enriching the spiritual lives
of individuals, the Spiritual Formation Program benefits the monthly meetings
to which its participants belong by building community, nurturing spirit-led
ministries, and developing spirit-led leadership.
If you would like to participate in the 2007-8
Spiritual Formation Program, send in the registration form below along with
payment (the cost covers both retreats) by August 1. Mark your calendar for
the retreat dates: September 5-7, 2008 and May 15-17, 2009.
| Spiritual Formation Registration |
| Name: |
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Address:
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| Telephone: |
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| Email: |
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| Monthly Meeting: |
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| Vegetarian? (Yes/No) |
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| Food Allergies (Please List:) |
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Participated in our Spiritual
Formation Program before? (Yes/No)
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Enclose a check payable to
Baltimore Yearly Meeting for:
| ____ |
$290 to cover the full cost OR |
| ____ |
$320 to help support others ($30 tax deductible) OR |
| ____ |
$260 because I cannot afford the full cost of the Program |
| Payment of at least half of the registration fee must be
received by August 1 to reserve your place at the opening retreat. |
| A few single rooms may be available. The single supplement charge is $50 ($25 per retreat). |
Please complete and return your registration before August 1 to:
LouAnne Smith
1422 Broadway Road
Lutherville MD 21093-1503
