BYM
Spiritual
Formation
Program
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Do you seek a deeper spiritual experience?
A Spiritual Formation Group consists of members and
attenders who make a commitment to form a nurturing spiritual community
that will meet together from September to May to support each other on
their spiritual journeys, to discern God's leadings, and to recognize
and support their gifts and ministries. The Spiritual Formation Groups
come together for two retreats -- one at the beginning of the program
and one at the end.
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"I left the first retreat with an
energy and centeredness I've wanted for years." |
Each autumn, Friends and attenders from the various monthly
meetings throughout Baltimore Yearly Meeting gather for a first retreat
to begin their commitment to a year in supportive community.
During this weekend we reflect on Quaker spirituality and how we are
formed inwardly by God. Each monthly meeting group begins formation of
its own community and initiates planning of books and schedules.
In the retreat setting we seek opportunities to gather ourselves to
follow our leadings in faithful listening to the Inner Light, mutual
care, support in disciplines, discernment and general encouragement.
The Religious Society of Friends has been mindful of our faith
community as a "priesthood of all believers." In this spirit each of us
may be let to some work of ministry.
The concluding retreat in the following spring provides a worshipful
opportunity to evaluate and enlarge on the program in daily lives of
Friendly ministry.
All participants in each local group need to attend these vital
retreats of community formation. Both events are sponsored by the
Baltimore Yearly Meeting's Committee on the Nurture and Recognition of
Ministry.
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All who wish to deepen their spiritual lives are invited to
join a Spiritual Formation Group. Participants create with one another a
close, evoking faith community for spiritual growth, mutual support and
encouragement.
Each Spiritual Formation Group in worshipful process and good order
selects a set of devotional books to read during the coming nine-month
cycle. Each group schedules monthly meetings to discuss the impact the
books have had on nurturing the spiritual life and that of the
community.
This is the beginning.
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"My group made my own spiritual
discipline possible." |
The spiritual formation program encourages Friends to take
seriously God's call in their lives.
The group provides a structured, supportive community in which each
member can discern God's call and prepare to follow it.
Through the nine months the monthly meeting group gathers to share a
meal, worship and discuss responses to a text from a devotional work
that participants have agreed to read that month. These are books about
spiritual experience, scripture, prayer, community, the Religious
Society of Friends and ministry
Smaller groups of three to six persons within the large groups are
also formed to meet on another day each month to relate on-going
experience of the daily spiritual discipline undertaken during the
nine-month cycle. Many insights and deep relationships are forged in
this intimate exchange. If you've felt the hunger for a deeper
experience of faith, your participation in spiritual formation is
invited.
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"This program is about spiritual
growth in a community of seekers all supporting each other on individual
journeys." |
Each person undertakes a committed spiritual discipline for
the year. This is a critical component of spiritual formation.
Traditional disciplines include journaling, meditation, daily worship
or prayer and devotional reading. Many disciplines have become life-long
exercises of spiritual growth and some may not. Some of us have evolved
creative means of self-discovery in unity with Friends. Everyone gains
from the process of spiritual recognition and community support.
Some participants find disciplines enable them not only to cope in
the pressures of the modern world but to enrich their lives from deeper
spiritual perspectives and engagement.
Your own spiritual discipline often provides you an inner journey you
can share with Friends who enable you to fully realize the rewards of
commitment.
As a member or attender of a monthly meeting, you've probably already
gained some of the skills and insights to help you in your discipline
and growth.
So this may be the year you gather your Friends to you and begin
further spiritual formation together.
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Information about this year's
program. |
September 10-12, 2004
May 20-228, 2005
Your application must be received by August 10, 2004. Total
cost for both retreats is $220 ($250 to help support others-$30
deductible). Financial assistance may be available from your Meeting or
from the Spiritual Formation Program. For further information, please
write:
Betsy Meyer
14736 Carona Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20905
efmeyer@comcast.net
Applications
should be sent to Elizabeth Meyer at the address above.
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