Richmond (VA) Friends Meeting

Invitation to a deeper spiritual experience: Spiritual Formation Program, Sept. 2023-May 2024

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. This year there are some drop-in small groups for those unable to commit to be present for all the meetings.

• • • • • Richmond Friends will carpool to BYM’s opening Fall Spiritual Formation Retreat Sept. 22-24, 2023 at the Claggett Conference and Retreat Center, Adamstown, MD. (Carpool coordinator is Mary Fran Hughes-McIntyre at mfranmcintyre@gmail.com.)
        • 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 1), and closing (May 5) from 5 to 7pm, including a potluck at 6:30 at RFM. In January, program team will check with participants to see how things are going and address any issues.
        • 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 co-facilitator Rita Willett for information or registration at willettrquaker@gmail.com.)
        • From October 2023 through May 2024, Spiritual Formation participants build community through committing to monthly virtual or in person small groups, 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. Options are:
          • • • Listening for Spirit in Contemplation will use a worship sharing format in response to sacred readings or poetry from many traditions. Each participant can identify a word that “shimmers” for them, consider how it relates to our world at this time, and how it relates to their personal life. Alternate Thursdays online 9 to 10am. (Contact facilitator Sylvia Shurcliff at shurcliff@comcast.net.)
              • Spiritual Companions Group will be in person and offers worship sharing in response to a query. (Contact Mary Fran Hughes-McIntyre, facilitator, at mfranmcintyre@gmail.com).
              • Young Adult and Newcomers Spiritual Journey Group focuses on learning about Quaker worship through brief readings, QuakerSpeak videos, and queries. An in-person drop-in group. Probably after Meeting for Worship at RFM. (Contact Mason Mairead, facilitator, at m.mason.moorman@gmail.com.)
              • “Parenting As a Spiritual Journey” Support Group with child care through Religious Education program , meeting 4th Sundays 11:15 to 12:05. An in person drop-in group. (Contact facilitator Susan Singer, seasoned Quaker parent, at susansingerart@msn.com.)
              • Spiritual Friendships (group of 2) are for sharing spiritual journeys with format and time chosen by the pair, such as sharing joys and concerns, reading a book together or formats suggested by handouts about spiritual friendships. Virtual or in person. (For information, contact coordinator Mary Fran Hughes-McIntyre at 804-655-8572, mfranmcintyre@gmail.com.)

Our first large group meeting will be held on Sunday, October 1 from 5-7 PM as an introduction to the process, for organizing small groups, for sharing spiritual journey resources, and opening feast.

RFM Spiritual Formation information is also available HERE on the RFM website.

If you wish more information, or want to explore the possibility of joining Spiritual Formation 2023-24 at Richmond Friends Meeting, you are encourage to contact our team:

REGISTRATION FOR RFM SPIRITUAL FORMATION 2023-24

Please complete this form and submit electronically, or print out your form and return to RFM by September 17, 2023. In addition, paper copies are available at the meetinghouse and can be returned to the Adult Spiritual Education mailbox.