Small Group Work with the Spiritual Exercises

For four centuries the work of Ignatius of Loyola has been a faithful guide for persons seeking to grow in prayer and relationship with God. Ignatius was keenly attentive to God’s action within himself, others, and the created world. He wrote what we refer to as the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius. The exercises present a way of listening to and praying with Scripture that is life-changing.

 Over the next 9 months (Sept. 2009 – May 2010) we will offer a small group experience based on the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius. The group will be limited in size, led by a group facilitator who has completed the 9-month movement of the Spiritual Exercises. Those who participate will be asked to commit themselves to weekly group gatherings (Thurs. evenings from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., at Chapelwood, in LC201) and to the process of prayer and discernment. The first group time, an orientation gathering, will be Thursday, Sept. 3. Then, beginning Sept. 10 the group will begin weekly gatherings ordered around their experience of the Spiritual Exercises.

Because of the nature of the group, its size will be limited in number. If you would like more information about the group, please contact Jerry Webber at jwebber@chapelwood.org or (713)354-4477. To participate in the group, contact Nancy Sterling at nsterling@chapelwood.org or (713)354-4458).

Centering Prayer - Centering prayer is one form of contemplative prayer that disposes us of God's presence and work within our lives. An ancient prayer form with roots in the Scripture and in the early desert Fathers and Mothers, it has been rediscovered in our day. This manner of prayer has been called by different names at various times in history, including the prayer of quiet, prayer of simplicity, prayer of the heart, and the prayer of simple regard. In our day centering prayer has recaptured for all followers of Jesus Christ a vital stream of Christian life. In the early 1970s three Trappists (Thomas Keating, Basil Pennington, William Menninger) began to teach a method which made contemplative prayer accessible to clergy and lay alike. They gleaned from Scripture and the rich traditions of John Cassian, The Cloud of Unknowing, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, and Thomas Merton a method that serves to deepen the friendship with God to which we are called. They called the method centering prayer.

Groups meet at 9am on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Bride's Room (off the Narthex near the Sanctuary entrance) for a period of Centering Prayer and lectio divina.  For more information, please contact Nancy Sterling at (713) 354-4458 or nsterling@chapelwood.org.

Exploring the Way - A short-term, small group, introductory class to spiritual formation that will provide an orientation to the Christian spiritual life, is offered as leaders are identified.  A participant’s book will be available for purchase.  For more information or to sign up, please contact Nancy Sterling at (713) 354-4458 or nsterling@chapelwood.org.

Spiritual Direction -
In group spiritual direction we form small groups of safety and trust in which we are
encouraged to explore the depth and breadth of God’s work within us. Within the small groups we are careful not to give advice to others or to attempt to fix others in the group. We provide a safe space in which each person is free to explore the terrain of God’s love and inner work to whatever extent they are able.

Group spiritual direction is not a share group, not a prayer group, not a 12-step group, and not a discussion group. It is a unique process of discovery related to the inner work of God’s Spirit.

New spiritual direction groups were being formed in the spring. This formation process will be repeated in the fall.

If you would like more information about what group spiritual direction is or if you have questions, please contact Jerry Webber (713-354-4477 or jwebber@chapelwood.org).