This book group will explore the body-centered trauma of white supremacy and a path toward healing through a discussion of the book My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem.
Join Bette Rainbow Hoover (BYM) and David Anick (NEYM) in a 6 week interactive discussion of Menakem’s book.
This webinar is the initial session of the Tuesday evening online Exploring Spiritual Practices course taught by Swarthmore Meeting member Marcelle Martin.
This first session is open to all, both those who have registered for the full course and those who want to sample the webinar. We will explore the spiritual practices of gratitude and mindfulness, and give attention to the ways that God is inviting each one of us into a more intimate relationship. The session will include time for sharing with others in small breakout groups. This webinar will be offered both in the morning, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, and also in the evening, from 7 to 9 pm Eastern Time.
There are many ways to think about and describe God–Creator, the Ground of Being, the Almighty, Spirit, the Light, the Holy One, the Wholeness, Eternal Being, and so much more. However we think of it, the Divine is already in intimate relationship with everyone and is inviting all of us to become more aware of that relationship and fully engaged. This empowering connection is our birthright, but from early childhood we have been conditioned to limit our ability to perceive this relationship and minimize our acceptance of the gifts of the Spirit. Spiritual practices are helpful methods of becoming receptive and aware of the presence and activity of God within us, as well as in others and the world. There is a huge variety of practices available to us, ranging from very active and involving images, music, and movement, to more quiet, receptive, and contemplative practices. Some practices are very individual, while others require the participation of a group.
In the course Exploring Spiritual Practices: Meditation, Prayer and Presence, online class time will include brief presentations about different kinds of spiritual practices and opportunities for experiencing and experimenting with various forms of meditation, prayer, and presence. We will draw upon practices from across the Christian tradition, including traditional Quaker practices, and also upon practices from other traditions, including Buddhism and Hinduism. In breakout groups we will share our experiences in pairs and small groups and listen to the experiences of others. We will also engage in class discussion and ask important questions including “What or who is God in our experience?” “How do we experience presence?” “What is the nature of consciousness?” “What impedes our awareness of the divine within us and others?”
No particular beliefs in God, prayer, or meditation are required, only a willingness to earnestly try different kinds of practices, notice what we experience, and listen respectfully to the experiences and beliefs shared by others.
This event is sponsored by New England Yearly Meeting and Beacon Hill Friends House. Marcelle Martin’s ministry is under the care of Swarthmore Friends Meeting (PYM).
This webinar is the initial session of the Tuesday online Exploring Spiritual Practices course taught by Swarthmore Meeting member Marcelle Martin.
This first session is open to all, both those who have registered for the full course and those who want to sample the webinar. We will explore the spiritual practices of gratitude and mindfulness, and give attention to the ways that God is inviting each one of us into a more intimate relationship. The session will include time for sharing with others in small breakout groups. This webinar will be offered both in the morning, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, and also in the evening, from 7 to 9 pm Eastern Time.
There are many ways to think about and describe God–Creator, the Ground of Being, the Almighty, Spirit, the Light, the Holy One, the Wholeness, Eternal Being, and so much more. However we think of it, the Divine is already in intimate relationship with everyone and is inviting all of us to become more aware of that relationship and fully engaged. This empowering connection is our birthright, but from early childhood we have been conditioned to limit our ability to perceive this relationship and minimize our acceptance of the gifts of the Spirit. Spiritual practices are helpful methods of becoming receptive and aware of the presence and activity of God within us, as well as in others and the world. There is a huge variety of practices available to us, ranging from very active and involving images, music, and movement, to more quiet, receptive, and contemplative practices. Some practices are very individual, while others require the participation of a group.
In the course Exploring Spiritual Practices: Meditation, Prayer and Presence, online class time will include brief presentations about different kinds of spiritual practices and opportunities for experiencing and experimenting with various forms of meditation, prayer, and presence. We will draw upon practices from across the Christian tradition, including traditional Quaker practices, and also upon practices from other traditions, including Buddhism and Hinduism. In breakout groups we will share our experiences in pairs and small groups and listen to the experiences of others. We will also engage in class discussion and ask important questions including “What or who is God in our experience?” “How do we experience presence?” “What is the nature of consciousness?” “What impedes our awareness of the divine within us and others?”
No particular beliefs in God, prayer, or meditation are required, only a willingness to earnestly try different kinds of practices, notice what we experience, and listen respectfully to the experiences and beliefs shared by others.
Since becoming a Quaker in college (at a non-Quaker school!), I have attended plenty of PYM workshops and events and been either the only young adult or one of a very small handful of young adults. My experiences generally fell on a spectrum with “alienated” on one end and “overwhelmed” at the other. My experience of participating in the Spiritual Formation program fell right in that happy middle section – engaged, included and valued.
Perhaps it is because of the content: deep spiritual listening, finding common threads among our diverse theological perspectives, focusing on central texts, connecting authentically with one another and encouraging one another to live faithfully. Perhaps it was the unique combination of individuals that lead and participated alongside me. Perhaps it was the blend of large group gatherings and small group accountability meetings.
As the youngest person (by a margin of more than a decade) in my small group, I was given the opportunity to return the care and curiosity to older people that so often comes at me from every angle as a younger participant. It was a joy to get to know these older Friends on a spiritual level; Friends not from my own meeting, who didn’t already know me closely. I felt valued, but not pressed upon; included, but not tokenized. When the purpose of a program is to know one another genuinely and grow together spiritually, age matters very little. The Spiritual Formation program also gave me a deep spiritual well to draw from and helped me to grow in my own journey. I continue to be grateful for the learning and nourishment it brought me during a formative time in my own life. It was time well spent.
Pamela Draper (right) is a member of London Grove Friends Meeting and worships with West Philly Friends Meeting
Learn more about the intergenerational Spiritual Formation Program cohort that begins this fall! The opening retreat is on September 27th. Register by September 10th.
An Intergenerational Spiritual Formation Program is specifically designed for Young Adult and other interested Friends. This 7-month program begins in Sept. 2014 and closes in April 2015. The elements of Spiritual Formation include retreats, personal spiritual disciplines, readings, and prayerful support. Participants will meet monthly in spiritual friendship and reading groups. We will be joining each other in worship, practice and witness to the Eternal in our lives.
The opening retreat will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, at Abington Meeting. The mid-year retreat will be held at Chestnut Hill Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 and the closing retreat at Chestnut Hill on April 18, 2015.
If you have any questions about the program or about registration, please contact Amelia Diamond, aediamond7@gmail.com, Jane Keller, janeckeller102@gmail.com, Wanda Wyffels, mewkw01@moravian.edu or Wade Wright atw9a8d7e6w@epix.net.
Join us on a new spiritual journey! Invite a Friend to travel with you!
