Spiritual Growth Network Newsletter


January 1996                        Volume VII, Number 1

JANUARY DAY OF RECOLLECTION

At the beginning of the year we often reevaluate, stop and think about where we are going in our lives. We look at how we have been challenged or called by Grace, and notice how we have responded. Many of us have found that others can aid us in this self study and quest for spiritual direction. Sharing our questions and process with friends can give us a better understanding and a more definite sense of our true leading. Some of us have fully experienced this wonderful gift, others have hesitantly tried it, and still others may have avoided this method entirely. Yet discernment can be greatly aided by the insight of trusted friends on the journey. We may need to listen deeply both to each other and to that centering voice of Spirit which is uniquely within each of us in order to proceed in the best way for a particular time and circumstance. If we have the context in which to share our insight, a group can give us facets of our personal puzzles that we find difficult to see. We are not isolated individuals, but interconnected with each other, the whole of earth and beyond.

On this Day we will look at the role groups can play in discernment. We will examnine our own experience of this interaction, both positive, neutral, and negative. We will share the ways we found helpful and take time to visualize the most benificial situation we can imagine and discover how to create and use this as needed in our present living.

Come ready to share and learn, bring pen and paper to journal, a mug for hot drink and maybe a friend. We will eat lunch together so bring a dish to share pot luck fashion. Hope to see you. 

                                                        A.S.

A THOUGHT FOR THE NEW YEAR

The following was read at the beginning of our group on New Years Eve. We were all inspired by it. The quote is an abstract from the inagural speech of Nelson Mandela as he became president of South Africa in 1994.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are meant to shine as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us: it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we give, (unconsciously) other poeple permission to do the same. As we are liberated form our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

A PROPOSAL

Some of the papers in this newsletter focus on a proposal that we help organize a weekend Forum in our Community to bring together the many different groups that are seriously committed to a spiritual path. This would be a chance to share, not convert; a time to enrich each other with the wisdom of our paths and demonstrate the tolerance that heals to the larger community. We are just beginning to consider the form this might take. If you have suggestions, please let John Parks know of your ideas.

CALENDAR

DAY OF RECOLLECTION
Saturday, January 13th, 10AM to 3 PM
At the home of Paschal Baute, 6200 Winchester Rd. Lexington.
Theme: Learning the shared process of discernment.
Pot Luck lunch
Call Ann if the weather is bad to see if we will meet, at 606-723-7375.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION
Saturday, February 10th
Theme: The Priestliness of the human heart.

RETREAT DATES FOR 1996: March 22-24; June 21-13; September 20-22, and December 6-8. Put these on your calendar for future planning. All will be held at Knobs Haven.


Last updated 10 February, 1996


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