St. Alban’s Spiritual Growth
Meeting Minutes
Feb. 28, 2010
What are we doing individually or as groups to discover God’s direction for us?
Members spoke of various ways they communicate with God through their days. For example, using Forward Day by Day to study, be quiet and focus. Using a prayer book from ancient times to visualize and imagine the early days of Christianity.
Question: Would it be possible to have a book discussion group at church?
Many things are written seasonally, but there are few things to take us through the rest of the year.
Suggestion: Prayer and worship on an additional day, not necessarily from the Prayer Book.
The church clean-up day was enjoyed as a day of preparation for worship and as a spiritual discipline. The Christian interaction was enjoyable.
Suggestion: The difference of having the Lutheran service was enjoyable. Could we use Rite I, a more archaic tradition, on occasion? It takes us back to childhood and can evoke different emotions for people.
It was pointed out that people under 30 aren’t familiar with Rite I and would not have a sentimental attachment to it. It’s difficult to accommodate extremes at any frequency as people find it difficult to adapt. Now that it is known that Rite I would be enjoyed on occasion, this will be kept in mind during worship planning.
Discussion was held on the possibility of worshiping on Saturday night, for example. It was pointed out that, being a small congregation, this would separate the congregation into two segments. Also, there would be no opportunity then for Christian education and youth interaction.
It is important to have prayerful study on a regular basis. It becomes habitual and expands the conversation from day to day.
This is similar to friendship, which must also be maintained on a regular basis.
Praying the Daily Offices is beneficial except it doesn’t allow for quiet time unless you are doing it alone.
Driving is an opportunity some use for reflection and conversation with God. Running is another opportunity. This helps reveal God’s creation. One can begin with the Jesus Prayer, which is repeated over and over.
Mother Cathy feels it is important to sit down with scripture or the daily Office or bible study books because it’s important to get input from God. This leads us to follow God’s agenda rather than our own.
The Lenten booklets that told what people did to grow spiritually were appreciated and used.
Reading the Bible from beginning to end is helpful because it gives you the “whole story”.
Asking for help and wisdom is appropriate. We often speak with God during the day about what we experience.
Reading the Bible and having prayer with the family is important for Christian training and modeling. Scripture is where we get our perspective for this.
In quiet time at night speaking with God is helpful also.
The Internet even has helps available such as Crosswalk Bible Study Tools – Bible in One Year. Also, you can pray the Offices online also at Mission St. Clair. It even has music.
Devotional books can be helpful, but regular devotions are difficult to maintain, and one must really make an effort.
We will continue our discussion next week.
Submitted by,
Cathy Carleton
