Started at 10:13 AM via Zoom
Present: Bros. Julian, Bill, Marsh, Jerry Fuss, John MacD
Opening Prayer by Bro Julian selected from Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrims by Edward Hayes
Minutes of the last meeting passed unanimously.
Bro. Jerry presented our financial report: Unchanged except monthly fee of $3. $ 2,221.30 in checking $2,442.43 in CD Bro Jerry will explore various CD rates in May before renewals.
Accepted unanimously.
Discussion included numerous topics as follows:
During in-person retreats we save some time at the end of the reading to allow for silent and audible prayer but we have saved discussions of the reading for other times.
During Online and mini-retreats responses to readings are often a rich blessing immediately following the reading.
A mini retreat COULD make an agreement to save at least 30 minutes for the reading and response. Similarly, a monthly group might extend the time of their gathering(s) to provide for reading and discussion particularly if the time of sharing became more extended. We will aim to listen to the Spirit’s leading about sharing each month, seeking to allow at least minimal response to sharing by a member. especially if they are undergoing a big challenge, while also working to be good stewards of our limited time together. The Monday group appoints a facilitator to help guide this process at our gatherings, while the Thursday group does not prefer to have a facilitator.
It is a growing practice for all retreats to pray by name for our siblings on the prayer list for that day.
Have we made a focused attempt to appeal to sisters and brothers who are not participating able to joining in-person retreats to participate in virtual retreats? (particularly members who are at a great distance from physical retreats or are not able to travel)
Groups may want to clarify if they are open to any member or closed (namely that people are not invited until the group has approved an invitation)
If the number of participants in a group grow too large for their well-being we might start new groups to be sure to have opportunities for all members to share and be heard.
Virtual Retreats may not need to be at a particular spiritual season like lent or advent. There is interest in a retreat focused on readings from a particular book
Bro. John had submitted, at Council's request last meeting, a proposal for revising of Number One of the BSOW RULES, dealing with the obligation of annual retreat participation. It is suggested that participation in 6 mini-retreats could meet the obligation of Rule #1.
In April the Council will go step by step through Bro John’s proposal.
Then the Council will seek input from the wider circle of the entire order.
After the April meeting of the Council we will send that draft to the entire order and
ask our two mini-retreats to extend the May or June mini-retreat by 15 minutes to collect input on these.
Next, the Council will host an open-ended discussion of the proposals through a Zoom meeting of all members of the order.
We will invite retreat leaders to the next Council meeting to widen the circle of discussion.
Bro Julian has been reaching out to a group called Friends of Silence that do have retreat sites In different parts of the country. The may be happy to make spaces available for us to use for retreats.
Bro John led us in closing prayer
Next Meeting: April 8th at 10 AM. We will focus on Bro John’s proposal.
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