Spiritual Formation
Spiritual formation is the activity of the Holy Spirit which molds our lives into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This likeness is one of deep intimacy with God and genuine compassion for all of creation. The Spirit works not only in the lives of individuals but also in the church, shaping it into the Body of Christ. We cooperate with this work of the Spirit through certain practices that make us more open and responsive to the Spirit’s touch, disciplines such as Sabbath keeping, works of compassion and justice, discernment, worship, hospitality, spiritual friendships, and contemplative silence. (Office of Spiritual Formation, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.))
Download SPRING 2025 ISSUE OF Journeys
Journeys is a quarterly publication offered by First Presbyterian Church’s Spiritual Formation subcommittee as a tool to encourage spiritual growth.
Coming March 5: The Lenten Journey
On Ash Wednesday, we, as a church community, will begin intentionally preparing our hearts, minds, and souls for another Lenten journey, through Holy Week and into Easter. To begin that journey, the Spiritual Formation Committee will once again offer the deeply personal encounter with the scriptures to help lead us individually into this holiest of weeks: The Lenten Journey. A self-paced opportunity for prayer, the Lenten Journey provides seven meditation stations, each focusing on one of the seven last words of Jesus and an eighth meditation station reflecting on the meaning of resurrection in our own lives. The full experience follows the metaphor of journeying as participants move from one meditation center to the next and may choose to walk our indoor labyrinth. Sacred space, silence, sensory experiences, new forms of personal prayer, and journaling all enhance our ability to receive what Christ offers.
Whether you can spare only a few minutes, or can stay for hours, come, walk with Christ in his passion, through his suffering, and into the resurrection. On March 5, the Great Hall will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Facilitators will be available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. to answer questions and assist you in your experience.
Blessed are the Peacemakers…Lenten Covenant Groups
Spiritual Formation will offer three covenant groups this Lenten season, all based on Megan McKenna’s book, A Perfect Bowl of Light: Stories of Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Repairing the World. McKenna is a theologian, storyteller, speaker, and writer who counsels communities
facing conflict and struggles for justice. As such she has traveled the world collecting stories from a wealth of cultures. Through scripture and stories from diverse traditions, including the gospel narratives, Jewish midrash, Hassidic tales, Native American oral traditions and more,
she presents insights on- and practices in- forgiveness, reconciliation, and restorative justice. We are called to be God’s peacemakers and the first step in changing the world is reconciling our own relationships, beginning with the one with ourselves.
Groups are offered in Room 102 on Thursdays, March 6 through April 10 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. or 5:30-6:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, March 5 through April 9 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Please get a copy of the book to use during these sessions. A few copies will be available for purchase from the church office for $16 or you can order a copy from Amazon.