Spiritual Development Programs

You are invited to join with Friends in these programs. For questions or more information about a group or program listed below, please contact the individual leaders listed or email FMW's Ministry & Worship Committee at ministryworship@quakersdc.org

Friends who participate in FMW’s Quaker Spiritual Development (QSD) programs can support and enrich their spiritual journey.  Listed below are the QSD programs available through FMW. Some programs are recurring weekly or monthly. In addition to the reoccurring programs, the Ministry & Worship committee facilitates Workshops that address topics of interest to Friends. A monthly listing of the Quaker Spiritual Development programs can be found here.

Recurring Programs

Bible Study

Friendly Bible Study - Using the Friendly Bible Study queries, this group meets every two weeks at 12 p.m. on First Days. You are welcome at every meeting. Contact David Etheridge, david.etheridge@verizon.net, cell 202.577.8431.

Quaker Bible Study, Bible study group sponsored by Young Adult Friends meets weekly on Thursdays at 7:00-8:30 p.m. Contact Gene Throwe, gthrowe@gmail.com.

Reading Group 

Reading Quakers Together – Third Sunday of the month from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Newcomers welcome. We meet on Zoom. We respond in worship sharing to a Quaker text chosen in advance. Then we respond to the query, "How is Spirit dealing with Thee?" Contact Sabrina McCarthy, sabrina.mccarthy@verizon.net, cell 240.778.5234.

Prayer Group

Ignatian Prayer - Fourth Sunday of the month, 3:30 to 5:00 pm. Newcomers welcome. We meet on Zoom. After reading together a Bible text chosen in advance, we converse in solitude with Spirit. Then we come back together for worship sharing about our experience. Contact, Sabrina McCarthy, Sabrina.Mccarthy@verizon.net, cell: (240) 778-5234.

Spiritual Development

Spiritual Formation

These programs encourage and support individuals to meet together to consider the spiritual issues in their lives, to explore spiritual disciplines, and to share thoughts about readings. The Spritual Formation program is under the sponsorship of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, which convenes a spring and fall retreat. Currently there are two groups at FMW:

  • A group of Spiritual Friends meets monthly. Contact Sabrina McCarthy, sabrina.mccarthy@verizon.net, cell 240.778.5234, if interested.

  • A group of Friends meet at 6:30 p.m. on the First Thursday of the month. Friends meet in silent worship and sharing on their spiritual path. Readings may be used. BYM has encouraged open participation where friends can drop in and do not need to make a firm commitment. Contact John Bluedorn at johnbluedorn@gmail.com.

Spiritual Journey Meditation

This group meets on the Fourth Monday of the month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for meditation and worship sharing to support its members on their spiritual journeys. The group also meets on the Second Monday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. for tea. The group holds a one-day fall retreat at the Meetinghouse and a weekend spring retreat at a place selected in advance. Contact Sabrina McCarthy, sabrina.mccarthy@verizon.net, cell 240.778.5234, if interested.

Spiritual Friendships

These allow individuals to explore their lives together from a spiritual perspective. The group meets the Fourth Sunday of the month from noon to 1pm. You are welcome at every meeting. Contact Sabrina McCarthy, sabrina.mccarthy@verizon.net, cell 240.778.5234.

Spiritual Friendship Circles

These offer a unique opportunity to reflect/share with others your deeper spiritual journey. In circles of 3 to 4 Friends, each person is given 15 to 20 minutes of silence, agreed upon in advance, to reflect/share their discernment around the following 3 queries.

  1. How have I experienced Spirit/the Light since we last met?

  2. What is Spirit teaching me? or What is Spirit showing me?

  3. How is my inner life shaping my outer life? How is my outer life being shaped by my inner life?

This is followed by a discussion to reflect on one another's messages. The circles meet for 1.5 to 2 hours. Optional reading of Patricia Long's "Listening Spirituality, Volume 1" may be used. Tish Thames convenes the Circles and can be contacted at viticia@gmail.com for more information.

Classes

Inquirers Class – The Inquirers class is currently being developed under the M&W Committee and will be available in 2021.

Workshops

Ministry & Worship offers workshops on a periodic basis. The Quaker Spiritual Development Update contains the current workshops that are being offered.

If you would like assistance from the Ministry and Worship Committee in starting a group for FMW’s Quaker Spiritual Development program please contact Ann Herzog at aherzog333@yahoo.com, cell 202.246.5125.