|
 |
|
|
Bible Study Transcripts To read a transcript of Bishop Michael's 8 lunchtime bible study and prayer sessions this summer at St Stephen Walbrook: Click Here WHAT IS SPA? SPA (Scripture, Prayer & Action) – a fellowship for spiritual refreshment and renewal, committed to times of silent corporate prayer, issuing from a programme of bible study and leading to action, witness and service. It is the strong conviction of the SPA ministry that such a cell of men and women in all the churches can make a difference at a time of crisis, both for the church as well as for society. Open churches need open hearts – hearts open to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit at work in the heart of cities and communities everywhere. BIBLE STUDY - with a difference! ‘The Holy Spirit inspired those who wrote the scriptures. The Holy Spirit is also in our hearts inspiring us and teaching us how to read and to listen’ to the words of scripture. (Thomas Keating: Introduction to Contemplative Christianity) Bible study is not only a process of the mind – important though that is in uncovering the literal and contextual meaning of a particular passage. That approach is fine as far as it goes. The trouble is that it does not go far enough! Reading Holy Scripture should enlighten the mind, but it should also warm the heart and fire the will. When the Risen Christ taught the scriptures to the disciples after his resurrection, we read that ‘he opened their minds to the scriptures.’ (Luke 24:45). However, we also read how Jesus ‘warmed the hearts’ of those two disciples on the road to Emmaus and turned their lives around. (Luke24:32) In preparation for times of silent contemplative prayer, whether in a group or alone, it is a good and helpful practice, after invoking the Holy Spirit, to read slowly a passage of scripture, - preferably aloud and even two or three times. In this way, quite frequently a phrase or even just a word seems to lift off the page and speak to us with a particular and immediate significance. In turn, this can carry us into the time of silent prayer, recollected and resting in the presence of Christ. SILENCE - A ‘SUPERHIGHWAY’ OF THE SPIRIT. We live in an age when we are all bombarded by noise, words and information. Throughout the ages, but perhaps especially today and not least in our crowded and noisy cities, men and women have sought retreat into spaces and places of quiet - away from the ‘city’s crowded clangour’ - for what is sometimes called a ‘quiet time,’ when they can access the deeper well-springs of life, beneath the superficialities of busy and demanding lives. Undertaken as a daily commitment for twenty minutes or half-an- hour, such a practice of bible reading, leading to ‘centring prayer’ and contemplative prayer can and does transform lives. For days begun in this way, are no longer just ‘one damned thing after another’ but rather are overtaken by direction and purpose as part of God’s loving providence for us. Gregory the Great explained this whole Christian contemplative tradition as simply “resting in God,” or as the psalmist puts it: ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ (Psalm 46) A SUPPORTIVE MINISTRY 
With the encouragement of the parish priest, the churchwardens and the PCC of the Church of the Annunciation Marble Arch, the ministry of SPA from the beginning of 2009 is committed to keeping the church building open throughout the working week (click on "Opening Times"), in this way enabling the many thousands of people working or shopping in the area to find an oasis and space for quiet, reflection and prayer. Furthermore, each Friday, between 1.00 and 1.30pm there is a time of prayer, praise, biblical reflection and silent corporate prayer along the lines explained above. This is open to people of all traditions who are seeking a deeper spirituality. SPA is also anxious to be available to clergy who might wish to explore or to teach this alternative tradition of experiencing God and who might wish to commend the Friday lunchtime SPA events to members of their congregation who work or shop in the area of the Annunciation during the week.
For details of how to be on the mailing list of SPA, to become a Friend or to receive the monthly bulletin, click on "Support".
Bishop Michael Marshall The Reverend Soon Han Choi
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The work of SPA is with the encouragement of the parish priest, the church wardens and PCC of the Annunciation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||