A Spiritual Renewal committee at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Fonthill, began meeting in the summer, with some guidance for the first few meetings from Monica Romig Green, the faith formation coordinator for the diocese. We have gathered regularly since July to pray for the parish and consider the presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst.
Although we have a format for each gathering that leads us through prayer and discussion, it is Spirit-led and a time to connect with ourselves and God. Together, we make suggestions for how our life at Holy Trinity could be more engaging with a heightened awareness of God among us. For example: coffee hours each week; slowing down as we pray for individuals during the service; and developing the music used to offer a more meaningful spiritual experience each week.
The exact role or function of the group within our church is open to different ideas from those who attend. Everyone is welcome to come to our gatherings. Be it far from any one of us to define the role of the Spirit at Holy Trinity. We pray that it will evolve.
We also organized a Lenten Practices program to promote meditation and reflection each week as part of our services throughout Lent. Romig Green and Emily Hill, parish development missioner from the diocese, offered feedback that they are overjoyed to witness our contagious enthusiasm to involve the congregation in a more meaningful Lenten Journey for each towards Easter.
Lent provides an opportunity to engage our Christian faith by looking at the reality of our lives: examining our ways, confessing, and repenting from sin, meditating on the plan of God in the suffering and vicarious death of Jesus, celebrating the great gift of salvation, and marvelling in the resurrection.
At this time, we pay attention because these weeks are rich with the greatest themes of our faith: forgiveness, suffering, atonement, redemption, sin, obedience, offering, prayer, mercy, divinity, salvation, and love. Focusing on seven disciplines to practice and exercises to assist us to be with God, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak and having the opportunity to respond to Him on our spiritual journey.
Holding Things and Letting Go