Monday, June 30, 2008

Dear Urban Abbey,

On June 26, 2008, we commemorated the 5th anniversary of the Urban Abbey. We did so with simplicity, setting up for supper together, and after eating, reflecting on how the Abbey has contributed to our own lives and to our larger community. Then we celebrated the Eucharist together. I think we agreed that the evening was one of grace.

Below are the notes from our discussion. Raima Larter will use them to guide the leadership team this year. If there is something you would like to add, please send it on to all of us by using the Urban Abbey’s e-mail group.

We might have more discussion, electronically, as we move ahead.
Kathie Panfil
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5th ANNIVERSARY DISCUSSION OF THE URBAN ABBEY JUNE 26, 2008
WHAT EFFECT HAS THE ABBEY HAD ON US AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A COMMUNITY?

Group A

Contributions:
Deepened sense of spirituality.
Enhanced our skills of listening to God.
Intentionality committing to listening groups Concentric rings: St Georges, and within it, Urban Abbey Support in times of difficulty Helps us recognize face of Christ in others More open heart.

Growth from retreats Helps to know others are also reflecting, listening.

What else are we looking for?
More commitment to listening groups.
Reorganize some groups and keep groups doing well together. Reawaken midday prayer.

Group B

Contributions:
Learn what spiritual growth means.
Others to talk with.
Community of the heart.

What else are we looking for?
Service: what else does it mean/might it mean?
Not more tasks, but want to explore ways Abbey could support our service.
Call on others through abbey channels.
Abbey members as yeast in other groups.
Deeper spiritual foundation should enable us to reach out.
Helping ourselves/others to deepen spiritually is indeed service.

Group C

Contributions:
Personal growth.
Healing services/Taizé.

What else are we looking for?
How do we let others know what the Abbey offers?
Difficult for new members to fully grasp focus of abbey.
We should sponsor events with theme, speaker. Invite Region 3 or others.
Add to Web presence/blog.
Use labyrinth as a ministry.

Group D

Contributions:
Feeling God's presence more often.
Profound friendships made in Abbey.
Experience of deep, shared prayer.
More comfort with silence.
Rule of life: makes it easier to do what we want to do anyway.
A different way of making decisions (not voting).

What else are we looking for?
We aren’t growing (but should).
We should help others find their spiritual center.
Some prayer groups have started and ended; should we start something else?
We could start a healing community: home visits for prayer Try body-centered prayer: learn from/share what we do with others.

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