Holy Longing

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Wayne's Introduction: Over the past number of years we have focused - as one of the major characteristics of our adult studies - a keen attention on the major theme of "Holy Manners" and we have made some effort to describe, in previous introductions what we mean by that term. Jock was first to borrow this theme from a presentation by Marion Purdy, a former moderator of the United Church of Canada. She advocated this as the way people in the church need to engage each other in all that we do. We try to apply the term to our adult studies. I would simply like to begin by presenting this simple design as a way of outlining our current focus: HOLY Longing Manners Moments It is our hope that as we engage the Rolheiser¹s holy longing book on Christian spirituality, we will do so in a spirit of holy manners, and in anticipation of serendipitous holy moments along the way. Holy Manners Guidelines: 1. We want to keep God at the centre of all we do. 2. We wish to encourage the full and equitable involvement of all participating. 3. We hope to listen carefully to each other without interruption. 4. We like it when people venture to share what it important to them. 5. We welcome the conflict of ideas as a natural outcome of the engagement. 6. We would like participants to anticipate and expect "ah ha" moments along the way. Holy Longing Course Goals: 1.To become familiar with the key ideas of Ron Rolheiser in his book The Holy Longing. 2.To discuss, debate, learn together and support one another in a community that practices holy manners. 3. To distinguish between spirituality and religion. 4. To learn how to integrate a personal spirituality with a workable faith (by experiencing "ah ha" moments of discovery and developing "a theology that fits '). See the United Church Observer story about us, this month. 5. To combine quality content sessions with group discussion (in plenary and small groups). 6. To experience relational learning and personal growth in a community of hospitality. Characteristics of this Course: 1. The book focuses on modern spirituality (as a basis for creating a personal spiritual theology with a faith and life focus. We want to keep asking "how does this apply to my life now?" 2. We believe, with Rolheiser, that spirituality is what we do with the holy longing, the divine eros, that exists in all of us. 3. While the book is written by a Canadian Catholic author, with roots in Saskatchewan, our task will be to apply what he says to our own particular Christian communities. 4. References and quotes from presentations and class input will be posted to the website as reminders, and to offer a wider distribution of what has transpired here.
Discussion Here are individual thoughts in response to these questions, shared with the entire group. Some of these comments were made by more than one person: Lead Questions - 1. Why did I decide to come to this class? 2. What do I want to take with me from the class? - I want to enhance my personal spiritual life beyond participation in the church - I have never tried to define spirituality before, nor tried to formulate an answer for myself. - I want to go beyond reading about spirituality to learning from what others are saying here. - Spong elevated my guilt. Milton shared some of his spiritual disciplines when he was here with us. I want to build on that and enhance my own spirituality and spiritual disciplines now. - Spirituality makes my faith palatable. How can we apply this to enhance our church life? - I have tended to view spirituality as rather airy fairy stuff. I am asking, is it worthwhile? - I am trying to get back on to a spiritual path after falling off my horse. - I am also checking out the matter of whether spirituality is worthwhile. - Spirituality is essential to my life, but hard to define. I am interested in how mysticism links with spirituality because Jesus was a mystic, yet a very practical person as well. - I am confused about the relationship between spirituality and religion. I find this a very friendly and supportive place to engage such questions and I think about the things we discuss afterwards. - These studies are what I do on Monday evenings. I am tending to what needs tending. - I come for knowledge, fellowship and activity. - I recently spoke to a Catholic nun who is not a Rolheiser fan and I¹m here to find out why? - I have read some of Ron¹s previous writings and I would like to find out more. - Spirituality and I grew up together. I want to walk on water and learn from all of you. - This is a strange but hopeful time for me. I have tended to dismiss spirituality and yet I am now here because I would like to be surprized about what spirituality is. - I would like to develop a better definition and understanding of what spirituality is. - I decided to return to these sessions to deepen my faith. Maybe this is a selfish motive but I¹ve grown bad at expressing myself in group discussions; and would like more small group activity. - Out of the blue this evening, I decided to come. I want to replace lies with the truth. - As a relatively new member, I¹ve sat on the sidelines. I decided to get my feet wet. I am interested in the topic and would like to enjoy the fellowship here. - My husband and I have been away from these sessions for a bit, but we enjoy the people here. We have many discussions with our children and tend to get into religious topics as a result. - I like these discussions at church. We have a great time here. - I am inspired by books and people and love being challenged. I like small groups. - When I heard the scripture read, Sunday, about John the Baptist whom Jesusdescribed as baptizing with the Holy Spirit and with fire, I felt here is a place to experience that. - I am here at the invitation of two friends already in the group. I¹m finally ready to be here, to listen, contribute and learn. I grew up with a religion that was dominating and intimidating. - I realize that I need to develop social skills and learn to express myself better in public. - I have trouble with what goes on in the sanctuary on a Sunday morning, but I feel that in this group I have a chance to interact with people about that. I fight against churchy stuff. I think that often my worst classes as a teacher where those for which I was overprepared. (Jock assured the person that this would not be a problem here). - I enjoyed Spong. My parents moved away from organized religion and so I have come with my family late into organized religion. I seek a link between spirituality and religion. - My father was RC. I am here because it is Monday! Spirituality is not my particular agenda but it is on the table. I would like to explore some best spiritual practices. - I¹ m a people person and want to learn with others. Everyone has a spirituality, I believe. - I did not have the best Christmas worship experience in other church, so I am back at St. Davids for spiritual renewal!

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