| What is Spiritual Formation | Why Spiritual Formation | The Ministry | Special Notes by Mother Linda | Events |
Deepening the Journey, an Ecumenical Ministry for Spiritual Formation supported by Saint Hildegard’s Church
What is Spiritual Formation
We are responsible for our own spiritual well-being. Our spiritual life, which is our journey with God, is ours to grow, shape, nurture, and live. Spiritual Formation is the discipline concerned primarily with our individual spiritual life. Spiritual Formation acknowledges that we human beings are created by the Creator as spiritual beings. As such, the discipline of Spiritual Formation helps us to quench the deep yearning we have for God by assisting us in our quest for intimacy with God. Spiritual Formation focuses on practices and disciplines that enable us to enhance our journey with God. Not every practice is right for every person. The discipline of Spiritual Formation helps us uncover the practices that speak to our soul.
Why Spiritual Formation
We are responsible for the well-being of our own spiritual lives. Through the discipline of Spiritual Formation, we acquire the support, direction, and accountability we desire to deepen our walk with God. Practices can become stale over time. Spiritual Formation provides opportunities to enliven old practices or find new practices to enhance spiritual growth.
The programs and events offered follow one of two basic formats: workshops and quiet days.
Workshops are days organized around a theme or aspect of spiritual life. Workshops are days for experiencing and exploring a specific aspect of spiritual life or discipline with time to "practice" and "try-on" the discipline. Since workshops are group oriented, not only is there time for doing and reflecting, but also for sharing and questioning. No one is obliged to speak or share within the group. Experiences are deeply personal and some people are not comfortable sharing. This is an appropriate response and silence is honored.
Quiet Days are days of silence provided to give you the space and time for deep personal reflection on an aspect of your spiritual journey and growth. No matter the theme presented, you are encouraged to meditate, pray, and reflect as the Holy Spirit guides you. Themes are merely a tool to provide a starting point for your day of silence in God. You are encouraged to bring a journal to record reflections, create inspirational art, write a letter to God, or note questions and yearnings. You may also bring your own prayer beads or devotional reading. There will also be other tools and materials available to help you focus your day with God.
The Ministry
This ministry is jointly supported by Saint Hildegard’s Old Catholic Church and Christ the Servant Lutheran Church. If you are searching for a faith community, both congregations invite you to experience progressive, sacramental Christianity in an open, welcoming, and affirming community.
Saint Hildegard’s Old Catholic Church
414 North Fillmore Street
Arlington, Virginia 22201
(703)528-1825
www.sthildegards.org
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church
9801 Centerway Road
Montgomery Village, Maryland 20886
(301)977-0285
www.cts-lutheran.org
For more information
Phone: (703)528-1825
E-mail: copastor@sthildegards.org
Special Notes by Mother Linda
This week - January 18 - 25, 2011
January 18th begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which is observed every year between January 18,
the Feast of the Confession of Peter, and January 25, the Feast of the Conversion of Paul. This year, Christian
leaders around the world chose the theme from Acts 2.42, "One in the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of the
bread, and prayer." From the National Council of Churches: "The theme is meant as a call for inspiration and
renewal, a return to the essentials of the faith, and a call to remember the time when the church was still one."
Let us join our prayers with the prayers of other followers of the Christ that we move toward greater
understanding, embracing differences, and recognizing the Christ in all humanity. Let us not quarrel as to forms of worship,
but let us recognize and embrace the essentials of faith: Christ and the message of love, dignity, mercy, forgiveness,
and justice rooted in Divine love for all of Creation.
Prayer for the first day:
Holy God, you have made all human beings in your image; open the eyes of our soul that we may see that Divine image in all persons with whom we meet. In the name of the One who makes us all sisters and brothers, Amen.
Prayer for the day two:
God of Mercy and Grace, continue to shower your mercy upon us and guide us as we struggle to truly become your children, united in your Divine love. May we come to live out the Gospel message of wholeness, peace, justice, mercy, and love preached by the One who came in love and forgiveness for all. Amen.
Prayer for the day three:
Long-suffering and loving God, we pray the presence of your Spirit upon all who work for greater ecumenical understanding; guide them in your compassion and wisdom. May ecumenical dialogue bear fruit worthy of your Holy Name. In the name of the Christ, whom we all profess to follow, Amen.
Prayer for the day four:
Almighty and Triune God, we pray with Jesus that your glory be given to us so that we may become completely one, glorifying you and working together for the good of your reign here on earth. Amen.
Prayer for the day five:
Gracious and Holy God, help and guide us in your ways of peace and understanding, that through our individual and collective acts and words, we may foster greater unity within the Christian community, working toward that day when all Christians throughout the world will embrace one another as true sisters and brothers. Amen.
Prayer for the day six:
Almighty and Merciful God, on this day during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, as we gather in your Word and around your Table, may your Spirit move within every heart that professes the Christ that the barriers we construct to divide us may crumble, that suspicions disappear, and that hatreds cease. We pray that with all divisions healed, your people might live in justice and peace. In the name of the Christ, who came to show us the Way of peace, we pray. Amen.
Prayer for the day seven:
God our Creator, create in us, and in all persons who profess the Christ as Sovereign and Savior, a heart truly open to hearing your Word of love that is rooted in mercy and justice, peace and grace. May our hearts, turned to you alone, guide us in your ways, working in unity with Christians around the word to repair the brokenness and heal the hurting in this world. In the name of the Christ through whose brokenness all humanity is healed, we pray. Amen.
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