Formed by the Spirit. Issue 18: October 2013

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1 Formed by the Spirit The Newsletter of the Southwark Diocesan Spiritual Formation Group Opportunities, events, resources and articles on prayer and spirituality Issue 18: October 2013 Contents: What s on? Events, courses, opportunities Meeting Places: Saturday November 16 th 4-5 Tools for Prayer: Meeting Place 6 Reflections: The Living Word, Café Prayer, 7-8 Getting in the Way What is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us? See how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life. Clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide. [The Rule of St. Benedict] 1

2 What s On? Events, Courses, Opportunities The Now New Testament How we got it and what to do with it Prayer within the rhythm of the day will explore ways of weaving prayer in and out of daily activities so that even within the most taxing of days there are points of prayerful meeting, conversation and rest. The morning will also be useful for those who support and encourage others in prayer, including spiritual directors. Led by Chris Chapman, Spiritual Formation Adviser. Contact: chris.chapman@southwark.anglican.org A six week course, mostly about the Gospels and how to read them. Which came first the New Testament or the church? How many Gospels are there? Who wrote them, when, where and how? How to read them. Key texts. The Great Disappointment: did some New Testament writers get it wrong, and if they did, does it matter? Tuesdays 7pm to 8pm In St. John s Church Waterloo from October 8 th. Why not join in Isaiah prayers at 6pm, then have a cup of coffee and a piece of cake before finding out the answers to some of these questions? For information contact Richard Craig thenowshow@icloud.com At the Meeting Places Day on November 16 th we hope to launch a set of simple prayer guides for meeting God in the midst of daily living and working [see pages 4 and 5]. Walking in the footsteps of Christ with Francis of Assisi Prayer within the rhythm of the day Saturday November 23 rd 10am to 1pm in Trinity House, 4 Chapel Court, London SE1 1HW Wednesdays November 20th and 27th 7pm to 9pm in St. Matthew s House, CR0 1PE [close to East Croydon station] Francis of Assisi set out to follow in the footsteps of Christ through simple, generous living. What challenges, and what encouragement does his radical discipleship present to us? We will draw on the life and teaching of Francis and his companions and relate these to our own circumstances. Many of us find it difficult to fit times of prayer into daily life especially when demands of care for others, or of work are great, or when the pattern of each day is different, lacking a regular structure. Led by Chris Chapman, Spiritual Formation Adviser. Contact chris.chapman@southwark.anglican.org 2

3 Advent Prayer Watching for morning A retreat day of prayer and reflection for Advent Wednesday December 4 th 10am to 4pm At Wychcroft, the Southwark Diocesan Training and Retreat Centre Bletchingley, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 4NE A Gateway to Advent Space, silence, music and words Thursday 28th November pm for 7pm The London Centre for Spirituality The Church of St Edmund Lombard Street EC3V 9EA Here is a chance to step out of the routines of your life for a moment; to breathe deeply before the onrush of the following weeks. Advent is the season of waiting and anticipation, and we are offering you space, silence, words and music that you can take into a season that can often feel overtaken by events and must-dos. The church will be open from 6pm for mulled wine and non-alcoholic spiced drinks. Please bring seasonal nibbles to share, and a cushion to sit on. The Christian year begins not with the great feasts of Christmas, Easter or Pentecost but with waiting. Advent is a time to be in touch with inner emptiness and need. It is a season of longing directed towards Christ, revealed as God-with-us, Emmanuel. Advent is a season of waiting, but in hope and in expectation. The day will provide input alongside some quiet personal space to be with God. A variety of suggested prayer exercise material will be provided. Led by Chris Chapman, Spiritual Formation Adviser Cost 26, which includes refreshments and lunch To book or for details chris.chapman@southwark.anglican.org or ring I wait for the Lord; my soul waits, And in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning [Psalm 130] For details of this and other events at the centre: Telephone info@spiritualitycentre.org Website: Resources for prayer The following sites have been found by others to be sources of useful, inexpensive and accessible resources such as prayer cards and collections of prayers and reflections: The Prayer Trust SGM Lifewords Website resources You will find a variety of resources on the diocesan website: Tools for prayer: A variety of one page outlines of different ways of prayer. You may find these useful for your own use and as resources for groups in local churches. Teach us to pray: Outline of some different approaches local churches might use for helping people grow in prayer. Plus previous copies of this newsletter These resources can be found on the diocesan website at: er-spirituality 3

4 Meeting Places Diocesan Prayer and Spirituality Day Southwark Cathedral Saturday November 16th 2013, 10am to 4pm Speakers: Rosemary Lain-Priestley Bishop Christopher Chessun There will be a wide variety of workshops, prayer spaces, and resources for individuals and churches on offer. Brief outlines of the different workshops available on the day are given on the following page. If you wish to come please chris.chapman@southwark.anglican.org to receive a booking form. Bookings must be received in advance as we need to know workshop numbers. Cost: 5 per person 20 for a parish booking of up to 8 people Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it... How awesome this place is! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven [Genesis 28: 16-17] 4

5 Meeting Places Workshops Paper, Scissor, Stone. Meet and create with paint, clay and collage. Led by Sarah and Anna Sikorska An opportunity to experiment, create and play as we explore our meeting places with God using collage, painting and clay. Media, Movies & The Mystery of Faith Exploring the gospel using modern media Led by Dave Hopwood This workshop will help us discover some new ways of communicating the timeless message of hope found in Jesus; taking hold of the visual tools of our day and making good use of them. Preparing a Place Grand Designs for your Celestial Mansion Led by Anne Dixon This workshop aims to deepen our awareness of the impact of particular environments upon our ability to enter into a prayerful state. Through examples, shared experience and a practical exercise we will explore how to create a prayer environment that works for us Gazing on God A simple guide to contemplative prayer Led by Charlotte Wright Contemplation is for everyone! Through its practice we will deepen our experience of God in daily life. This workshop aims to show that contemplative prayer is an accessible way of prayer that will deepen our awareness of God. Glory to God in the High Street Meeting God in the busyness and noise of the places where we live and work Led by Chris Skilton This workshop will involve some walking in the local environment around the Cathedral. It aims to help those who take part find God in their own sometimes noisy, crowded streets and lives. A way in the wilderness Meeting God in times of difficulty and uncertainty Led by Chris Chapman In the bible, the wilderness is a place of struggle but also a place of encounter with God. This workshop will explore how we might meet and respond to God when the way forward in life seems unclear. The Bloke s Bible Men, life, faith and reality Led by Dave Hopwood This workshop is especially offered for men of all ages. We will take a fresh look at some of the men in the Bible and see what they show us about being men and having an honest faith We will also hear and discuss some contemporary stories that will help us explore how we might meet and respond to God today. Walking and Talking with God Ways of using the labyrinth for personal and communal prayer Led by Felicity Collins This workshop will explore different ways of using the labyrinth as a path for prayer for individuals and church communities. In addition to the workshop itself, there will be a labyrinth in the Cathedral to walk on the day. Blessed are the Path-Makers DIY Labyrinth making for church communities Led by Felicity Collins This workshop will explore different ways in which church communities can create inexpensive temporary labyrinths. It will be a practical, how-to session during which we will build a labyrinth, explore different materials that can be used and talk through practical considerations. Quiet Corners and Peaceful Places Creating an inviting and inspiring prayer space in your church Led by Maureen Edmonds and Sarah Goodwin Sarah and Maureen have set up a well used creative prayer space in their own church with a variety of simple resources for prayer. This workshop will take you step by step through setting up a prayer space in your own setting. Meeting God in Southwark s holy places Devotions in the urban and natural landscape Led by Nick Mayhew-Smith Across the country are holy places where local people find meaning, solace, inspiration and community focus. Southwark is no exception. This workshop will help participants begin to explore and engage with these meeting places. Participants will be able to choose 2 workshops, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Details are on the booking form available from chris.chapman@southwark.anglican.org 5

6 Tools for Prayer Meeting Place I greet him the days I meet him, and bless when I understand [Gerard Manley Hopkins] Where you are now is a meeting place with God Whether you are travelling on a crowded train, sitting in the kitchen at home or kneeling on a church pew, God is here and now. Turn aside to greet him. You can begin by becoming aware of this meeting place, this here and now moment by moving from the busy flow of your thoughts into your senses Listen to the sounds of this place, giving all your attention to your hearing...louder sounds and quieter...from close by and from distant places...with different tones and textures. Look at what is around you the shapes and the colours, the light and the shadow...take your time...this is a deep breath between all that activity... and God is in this deep breath. As you stay in this meeting place you may become aware of your physical self...the weight of your feet on the floor, the relaxation of your fingers as you let them uncurl, the slow rhythm of your breathing. Take time to be with yourself in this way, for God meets you here. Your feeling self may also greet you: the lightness or heaviness, tiredness or energy, gratitude or sorrow. Receive your feeling self gently as a guest in this place. A name for how you feel in this moment may come to you. Acknowledge its presence with you but also let it go allow it to rest. In this meeting place your thoughts will come and go. They might want to hustle you out of this moment, telling you there s somewhere more important you need to be. But there s nowhere more important for this moment than here and now where God is. Even hurry and worry deserve to rest for a while. Jesus says: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest [Matthew 11:28] If you are lying on a bed you don t need to tense all your muscles to keep yourself off the ground! In this meeting place God may speak or be silent either way is good. Speech may flow from your heart to God, in words or in stillness. If you meet God here in this train carriage, kitchen, or church you can meet him here again. Today and tomorrow God is here and God is now. Greet him. 6

7 Reflection: The Living Word The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. [Hebrews 4] Many of us read the bible on a regular basis. Perhaps we read through a particular book, a chapter a day, or maybe we focus on the Sunday readings, reflecting on their meaning for us or read the psalms from morning and evening prayer. As we read a particular bible passage, we work hard with our minds to apply it to our situation. Sometimes finding any connection with where we are seems to elude us, no matter how hard we seek it; and another time meaning seems to drop into our lap almost without effort on our part. Reading this passage from Hebrews about the word of God one thing leaps out at me: the Word of God is seeking us, and is alive and active. The emphasis changes: Important as our attentiveness is, and our desire to be open to the Spirit s leading, the seeker here is Christ the Word, addressing us and inviting our response. So what is required is not only the work of our mind, but our stillness and space to receive the invitation. These are words from a 12 th century monk on the different ways we open ourselves to the Word of God, seeking us: Reading seeks, meditation finds, prayer asks, contemplation feels. That is to say 'Seek and you shall find: knock and the door will be opened for you'. That means also, seek through reading, and you will find holy meditation in your thinking; and knock through praying, and the doors shall be opened to you to enter through heavenly contemplation to feel what you desire. Reading puts as it were whole food into your mouth; meditation chews it and breaks it down; prayer finds its savour; contemplation is the sweetness that so delights and strengthens... Reading is the first ground that precedes and leads one into meditation; meditation seeks busily, and also with deep thought digs and delves deeply to find that treasure; and because it cannot be attained by itself alone, then he sends us into prayer that is mighty and strong. And so prayer rises to God, and there one finds the treasure one so fervently desires, that is the sweetness and delight of contemplation. And then contemplation comes and yields the harvest of the labour of the other three through a sweet heavenly dew, that the soul drinks in delight and joy. Guigo, a Carthusian monk of the 12 th century Reflection: Cafe Prayer: I m waiting for someone in Costa s. I sit there with my coffee. I m glad of the space between commitments. Around me people are talking and music is playing. Why is it that through my life I have often found cafes to be as fruitful places of meeting with God as churches? Perhaps it s the fact that I am among other people pausing. There s no ought about being here. I am here to sit for a while, alone or with others and drink coffee and that s the only task for this time. And that is so much like prayer: the simple being with God...and pausing and investing time in doing so. Perhaps too it is because cafes are places of relationship, conversation and community. Wherever love is present in the meeting of friends, in the act of listening and sharing God is present. Much of the time we assume that it s the other stuff of life meeting deadlines, planning and delivering work that matters; and it does. But life without pausing, friendship, sharing, and community is a poor thing. The place to make our investment is not in shares or possessions or achievements but in relationships whether with God or with other people. Let there be time for sitting in a cafe, time for pausing, time for friendship, time for God. 7

8 Reflection: Getting in the Way There are times when life doesn t go our way. We make plans, and unanticipated events unmake them. It can be as simple as a delayed train, or as devastating as sudden ill health. We are going along, with some idea at least of what shape our day might take, or what form our life might take, but then everything unravels in the face of something we didn t expect. We are left asking, Where am I? Where do I go now? The unexpected happening gets in the way. If it s a pleasant surprise we re happy to be diverted, but even then we might feel a little thrown. But when something painful, difficult or threatening crashes in, we can be shaken to the core, bewildered by the turn of events and left with no clear sense of our bearings. I remember sitting down on a London bus and looking up to see the notice by the door: NO WAY OUT...not the sort of message you hope to receive when life feels uncertain! There is another sense in which we sense something or someone stands in our way. We have a good intention, even one we sense comes as gift of the Spirit; but we also see an obstacle and it seems formidable. Perhaps it s about finding work that is meaningful and makes a difference but the jobs don t seem to be there. Or perhaps we sense we have something to give but doubt that it will be valued by others. Or perhaps it is a persistent call that we sense to place our daily life more deeply in God but we can t seem to find the time or the means to pray. Seeing the barrier on our mental map we might not even begin the journey. Or when we walk right up to it and see its size and hear its noise we might give up the task for hopeless. But what if the pull to make the journey continues to be strong? And what if this desire seems to come not just from our self-will but from some inner place where God s Spirit dwells? Then we might be willing to go on walking trusting that in time we will arrive. But where will this arrival point be? It might be the place we imagined or somewhere entirely different and surprising. God knows. I recently went for a walk, having planned my route on a map showing all the footpaths. I knew where I wanted to get to, but what stood in the way was a busy dual carriageway. The map showed a footpath running up to its edge and another starting on the other side immediately opposite. There had to be an underpass or a bridge... There wasn t... I understood how Moses and the Egyptians must have felt when faced by the waters of the Red Sea. There are no zebra crossings on motorways. I might have turned back, but the lure of the destination was strong, and so I trudged along the road s noisy edge for a long mile, searching for a crossing point and finally when almost at the point of giving up - reached a turning that took me to the other side. I wasn t on the path I first thought of but now new possibilities for the journey opened up for me. This, rather than the route I had imagined in the beginning, was now my path. Jesus says, I am the Way. The Way moves on from where we are, and not from some other place. We don t know where in detail it will lead us, but it will lead us somewhere. The obstacles we perceive are not barriers to this way; in Jesus they become the Way. All that has happened to us is part of the Way. All that might happen in the future - wanted or not - will also takes its place within the Way. Our part is to pluck up our courage and take hold of our desire and walk: a Way has to be travelled. This Way might not after all, follow the path we envisaged and may not lead to the destination we imagined. But a Way that can lead someone through the dead ends of betrayal, ridicule and death on a cross and yet lead to unbounded, risen life is always to be trusted. 8