Richmond (VA) Friends Meeting

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Invitation to a deeper spiritual experience: RFM Spiritual Journey Program, Sept. 2024-May 2025

The Baltimore Yearly Meeting(BYM) Spiritual Formation Program invites its participants into a deeper spiritual experience through retreats, a virtual large group, spiritual community in the local meeting, and individual spiritual practices. At RFM, Spiritual Journey Program (formerly Spiritual Formation) is under the care of Adult Spiritual Education Committee.

• • Richmond Friends will carpool to BYM’s opening Fall Spiritual Formation Retreat Sept. 20-22, 2024 at the Claggett Conference and Retreat Center, Adamstown, MD.
  • The Spiritual Formation Program is founded on a daily spiritual practice of each person’s choice.
  • All participants gather in person for RFM large group meetings at the Program’s Sunday evening opening (October 4), and closing (early May) from 5 to 7pm, including a potluck at 6:30 at RFM.
  • BYM offers a virtual large group (with a worship-sharing format) for those needing to meet online, Tuesdays once a month 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Contact Rita Willett for more information.
  • From October 2024 through May 2025, RFM Spiritual Journey participants build community through committing to monthly virtual or in person small groups, to a drop-in group, or to a spiritual friendship pair. Small groups, usually around 6 members, meet once a month to share spiritual journeys and support one another in a daily spiritual practice.

RFM SMALL GROUP OPTIONS:

● Listening for Spirit in Contemplation will use a worship sharing format in response to sacred readings or poetry from many traditions. Alternate Thursdays online 9 to 10am. Facilitated by Sylvia Shurcliff.
● Spiritual Companions Group will be in person and offers worship sharing in response to a query, or to sharing spiritual autobiographies. In person. Facilitated by Mary Fran McIntyre.
● Quaker Classics Reading Group reads an anthology of prominent Friends’ writing, and worship shares about how the reading speaks (or does not speak) to their life. Facilitator to be determined
● Parenting As a Spiritual Journey Support Group is for parents, guardians or grandparents
desiring to live Quaker values as children evolve– birth through empty nest. Child care available through Religious Education program, 4th Sundays 11:15 to 12:05. Book provided. An in person drop-in group. Facilitated by a variety of seasoned Quaker parents.
● Spiritual Friendships (group of 2) is for sharing spiritual journeys. Time and format are
chosen by the pair, such as sharing joys and concerns, or suggestions from handouts about
spiritual friendships. Virtual or in person.
● Spirit at Play is a creativity group experiencing a different art form each month as an opening to Spirit. In person. Facilitated by Carolyn Moul.
● Faithfulness Group explores “How do we live our faith?” with Marcel Martin’s process. Group chooses in person or virtual. Facilitated by Ellen Argenteanu.

For more information contact Mary Fran McIntyre at 804-655-8572, or mfranmcintyre@gmail.com.

Please complete this form and submit electronically, or print out your form and return to RFM by 09/26/2024. In addition, paper copies are available at the meetinghouse and can be returned to the Adult Spiritual Education mailbox.

Sunday

9:30  A.M. – 10:30 A.M. – Early Meeting for Worship

10:45 A.M – 12:00 Noon (12:30 Third Sunday) – Childcare

11:15- 12:00 (12:30 Third Sunday) – Religion Education (Children Ages 3 -18)

11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon – Meeting for Worship (In-person and virtual)

Wednesday

7:00 P.M. – Online Meeting for Worship Sharing

Saturday

9:30 A.M – 11:00 A.M. – Adult Spiritual Education Seasonal Series (Check calendar)

Monthly

1st Sunday 11A.M. – 12:00 Noon – Worship outdoors at The Clearing  (March – October, dependent on weather)

3rd Sunday 11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.: Meeting for Worship/Business  (In-person and virtual)