Spiritual
Formation
Program

In

Philadelphia

Yearly

Meeting

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 October to June 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.
 
"I left the first retreat with an energy and centeredness I've wanted for years."

-participant in spiritual formation program

"My life has become 'prayer without ceasing"'during my daytimes. It is nice to have others who know where I am coming from."

—PYM SF participant

 Retreats

Autumn 2007, Friends and attenders from the various monthly meetings throughout Philadelphia Yearly Meeting will gather for a opening retreat to begin their commitment to a year in supportive community.

During this weekend we will reflect on Quaker spirituality and how we are formed inwardly by God. Regional subgroups will begin formation of their own community and will initiate planning of the year's schedule of meetings.

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 place where all are called to ministry, in one form or another. Spiritual nurture of our gifts has long been a valued part of our faith and practice. This program will be a place where we will continue and strengthen this tradition.

A concluding weekend retreat in the following spring will provide a worshipful opportunity to evaluate and enlarge on the program in daily lives of Friendly ministry.

A one-day gathering will be held in thePhiladelphia area in February for sharing.

All participants in each local group need to attend these vital retreats of community formation.

Click here for pictures of the 2003 fall retreat

"SF has provided a place where new members can really go deeper into Quaker spirituality. It has guaranteed that newcomers in our Meeting will stick around. Several have applied for membership as a result of this program."

—PYM SF participant


Reading

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. 

 
"My group made my own spiritual discipline possible."

-SF participant

 Reflection

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.

 
"This program is about spiritual growth in a community of seekers all supporting each other on individual journeys.

Spiritual Discipline

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. Participants are encouraged to choose a practice that adds positively to their spiritual life, and one that they embrace with joy. 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.



 
Information about this year's program.

To apply:

Location:

Important!

 
Opening Retreat:

St. Gabriel’s Monastery Sept. 28-30, 2007

Closing Retreat:

St. Gabriel’s June 20-22, 2008

Retreat schedule: Registration Friday 5:30-7:30 pm. Light supper available. End Sunday after lunch.

Midwinter Gathering: Feb. 9, 2008, 9:30-3:30, Philadelphia area.

Registration deadline: Please register as early as you can! It would be very helpful if we know you are coming by September 15, 2007. Thanks!

Name: _________________________

Monthly Meeting:________________

Quarter:________________________

Address: _______________________

_______________________________

Phone: _________________________

email:__________________________

Special dietary needs for retreat: _____

_______________________________

Cost:

___Non refundable deposit of $25

—balance due on Sept 28, 2007

___$225 to cover cost of entire program

___$275 for a single room, (not double—first come first served).

Send to: Susan Thompson

Tyler Hostel, PO Box 94

Newtown, PA 18940

Phone: 267-847-6396

For information: sthompson@healthfederation.org

Our Opening and Closing weekends will be held at St. Gabriel’s Retreat Center, 631 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411-8899. The center provides a total of 47 beds, with 23 single rooms available. St. Gabriel’s is 115 miles and 2:06 hours from Plymouth Meeting, right up the PA Turnpike’s Northeast Extension.

Details: vegetarian meals can be provided. Bed linens are provided, please bring your own towels. Each room contains a sink, desk, chair, soft chair and a lamp. The phone number at the Center is 570-586-4957.

Directions: North on I476. Do not take Clarks Summit exit after paying toll—get directly on I81 North (toward Binghamton) until the very next exit, 197 Waverly. Left off of the ramp. Go to second left at Ivy Industrial Park (less than 1/2 mile from exit). That is the only sign you will see. Follow the road just about 2 miles til you get to the bottom of St. Gabriel’s driveway.

What You Need to Do

to insure the most positive experience in your Spiritual Formation Program—is to help find others in your region, Quarter and Meeting who want to participate in the program with you. A Regional Group of about 12 people, made up of three or four smaller accountability groups, is a good size. Go to your Meeting and the other Meetings in your Quarter and find those folks! Organize!