St. Alban’s Spiritual Growth Meeting Part 2
Minutes
March 7, 2010
What would we like to develop to assist in our spiritual growth? We need a group of people dedicated to spiritual growth development to discuss and arrange for a number of options for the parish.
We want to continue using “Forward Day by Day”. It may be good to discuss this with each other, opening up conversations for broadening our thinking.
Comment: Prayer is the backbone of the church. Prayer is uppermost and it is encouraged personally and in small groups. Sandy will serve as chair of the group who will develop spiritual growth opportunities. Michelle, Sally and Louise also express they are willing to serve.
Spiritual direction, Ernst explains is one of the requirements of “our community”. This involves exposing one’s inner self to this director: desires, sorrows, joys, anger, direction, and there is guidance in it. It also holds one accountable. Another speaks to her director about what she is struggling with spiritually. The director can open doors that we might not think of. This relationship is sometimes called spiritual friendship because it can become mutual as the sharing goes both ways. This is specifically for interpreting in light of God’s perspective. There are people who have specific training for this. It may be someone whose spiritual life you trust. It’s not denominational. It can even be helpful to have a different perspective. The interaction is probing. Virginia Brown is a wonderful spiritual director and she will be moving back and available to do this.
It can even be two people in the congregation that trust and can open up to each other. These relationships can help us overcome our cultural taboo of discussing deeply our faith. One could think of this as spiritual companionship. Caution: Don’t let the spiritual director relationship substitute for your individual conversations with God.
Retreats are planned with some direction in mind. The men’s retreat on March 26-27 will be led by Jim Moon and held at Rivendell.
Suggestions for women’s retreat: (a) Knitting, sewing, etc. (b) Center the retreat on a book. (c) Spirituality of bread baking. (d) Praising God with flowers.
We ask that our spiritual growth committee consider the depth, quality, kind and direction of spiritual growth here at St. Alban’s.
Note: Next Sunday begins daylight savings time.
Note: There is a need for appliances and furniture, dishes, etc. for a young couple we are working with. Let Mother Cathy know if you have something available to contribute.
Announcement: The Knights of Columbus are hosting a fish fry this Friday, March 12, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Polk County abused women’s shelter House of Hope. We are encouraged to attend.
Submitted by,
Cathy Carleton
