| 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
I encourage you to take on a personal Lenten discipline, and giving up sweets is not what I had in mind. Lent is the season in which we turn our focus inward, deepening our relationship and spiritual journey with God. God calls to us every day of the year. Christians have set aside the season of Lent as the time when we can intentionally answer that call by exploring and intensifying our relationship with God and in God.
One way to grow our relationship with God is through scripture reading and prayer. Spending time in God’s word and spending time in conversation with God is a time-honored way to learn more fully who God is and who we are in God. Another way to explore our relationship with God may be examining our relationships in the wider community, and addressing shortcomings that hinder community. Do our relationships glorify God and are they founded on love, compassion, justice? Fasting need not be about food alone; we can fast from behaviors or perceptions that mar the image of God in us and break community.
If you have not started a Lenten discipline, it is not too late to begin. It is never too late to begin to explore your spirituality and grow in God. If you want a little direction, check out the Web site Explore Faith at http://www.explorefaith.org/index.html. For daily Lenten devotions, click on "Tools for your journey" on the sidebar, then "Signposts daily devotions".
May this Lent bring you more fully into the joy and love of our compassionate God!
Grace and Peace be with you,
Mother Linda
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