Ideas for spiritual formation will be bubbling up on June 7, 10 am to 4 pm, at St. Paul's, 10127 145 St. NW, Edmonton, during a one-day conference offered by the diocesan Discipleship Committee.
You are Leaven will be an opportunity to reflect on the idea that as members of a church family, we are called to ferment cultures of spiritual formation (a lifelong process of growing in faith, understanding and attentiveness to God), in each other and our parishes.
We encourage the participation of two to four people from every parish. Come discover new practices and old ones in new ways. Invite the Spirit to work in you and see what bubbles up! POSTER
Stream 1 Workshops:
Session A: Gospel Based Discipleship, the Rt. Rev. Stephen London, Anglican Diocese of Edmonton
Come and learn about the practice of Gospel Based Discipleship. This is a way of reading and engaging scripture that is "an important and dynamic part of the growing spiritual movement among Indigenous People of Turtle Island" (ACC website). In turn, this way of listening to the Word of God has become a gift to the wider church.
It is the way in which many committees and groups of the Anglican Church of Canada, including the House of Bishops, start their meetings. The idea is simple: we acknowledge that the Gospel is at the Centre of our Sacred Circle, listening to what the Gospel is saying to us and what the Gospel is calling us to do. In this workshop, you will experience how to read and listen to scripture in a community. It is a spiritual practice that is simple yet deeply profound. Join Bishop Stephen London as he leads an experience of Gospel Based Discipleship.
Session B: Spiritual Sharing Circle, the Ven. Jonathan Crane
Sharing in circle allows us both the opportunity to listen, and when our turn arrives, to speak. A topic is raised in the realms of Faith, Justice, Spirituality, and Action in the Christian tradition that we are invited to reflect on and share if we wish. At St. Augustine's Anglican Church, Edmonton, we have used books, video, or individual presentations as our prompts for the evening. From a leader’s perspective, this is a low-prep, high-impact activity that touches on the center of how faith is shared and processed in community.
Session C: Indigenous I, Marcus Cruz (Details to come)
Stream 2 Workshops:
Session D: Dwelling in the Word, the Rev. Renée Desjardins
Dwelling in the Word is ancient way of reading the Scripture. It involves spiritually submitting to the text as one way God speaks to us, with a willingness to be shaped by what God might want to say through the Scripture to us as individuals and/or to the church. A passage is read slowly (twice) with silence for reflection, followed by a short time of sharing with one other. What catches your attention? What questions does this passage create for you? What do you think God might be saying to you or to us? Dwelling in the Word is for anyone wanting to listen to God! It works well with small groups and can be used online (although in person is best).
Session E: Introduction to Prayer Bowl Contemplation, Jim Robertson
Christian contemplation is an ancient listening prayer practice of the third and fourth century Desert Fathers. A variety of techniques have since been developed in Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic and Protestant traditions. Common amongst the methods is the use of a ‘focal point’ technique to quell one's inner ‘monkey chatter’ to hear God, Spirit to spirit. This is usually through an internally repeated mantra, but icons, breath and rosaries, and more have also been used.
This is an introduction to the use of a prayer bowl as a ‘tactile mantra’ – the use of a bowl’s sensation in your hands to aid in seeking stillness.
The use of prayer bowls, as a tactile mantra in prayer, was pioneered by Jim Robertson of Windswept Worship in 2005. His extensive collection of bowls is drawn on for personal use, workshops, retreats and corporate worship events.
Session F: Indigenous II, Russell Auger
Stream 3 Workshops:
Session G: Prayer Connecting with God in ways that work for you, the Rev. Andreas Sigrist
Revive is a resource that allows you to facilitate and experience connection with God. The resource is easy to use and available through the Synod office for free. The resource consists of 3 Modules with 6 sessions each, but parts can be used in various contexts from vestry meetings to small groups to a year-long course. Revive helps people discover ways of praying and connecting with God that work for them.
Session H: Rita Stagman and Session I: Indigenous III (details to come).
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