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7. Only
Connect
Aim:
To bring together that which belongs together, our humanity, sexuality
and spirituality.
Things you will need:
- Large candle and matches
- Light-coloured fabric
- Pens and paper
- Copies of E M Forster's words
from Howard's End
Suggested focal point:
A large candle placed on the fabric
Welcome, introductions,
explanations
Centring exercise
Session 1 Input:
Agreement with group that all is
shared with confidentiality
Introduce the idea that much to do
with the Church and its language and teaching has separated out that
which belongs together, namely our humanity, sexuality and spirituality.
Offer examples of this dualism.
Gather together, and share, some
descriptions and definitions of the words "humanity",
"sexuality" and "spirituality". It's important to
keep in mind that there are no right or wrong responses - only the
responses of each person.
Share that the movement into
freedom is a movement away from dualism, for is not the greatest freedom
in life to be a whole human being? Indeed it has been suggested that the
greatest compliment we can have paid, or pay another, is to say that he
or she is a real human being.
Read E M Forster's words from Howard's
End that prompt the title of the day.
Only connect
the passion and the prose
and both will be exalted
and human love will be seen at its
height.
Live in fragments no
longer.
Suggestions for prayer and
reflection:
- Spend some time reflecting on E
M Forster's words from Howard's End.
- Wrestle with and then endeavour
to define your own understanding of
- "Humanity" - what
it means to be human.
- "Sexuality" - what
it means to be a sexual human being from birth to death.
- "Spirituality" -
what it means to be embraced in the totality of life.
- Remember, there are no
"right" and "wrong" answers, only your own
responses.
- After a time for prayer and
reflection move into listening groups of three or four people
(ideally with a gender mix) and share with the group your responses,
without comment.
Session 2
Suggestions for prayer and
reflection
- Consider under headings,
drawing up two columns for each, your humanity, your sexuality and
your spirituality.
- Be in touch with those small
or larger things that bring you to life, that are life-giving; and
those small or larger things that deaden, that are life-draining.
- Are there points of overlap
and crossover between the columns? If there are, highlight them
and reflect for a time on the "why".
- After a time of prayer and
reflection move into listening groups as before, sharing only that
which you choose to share, without comment.
Session 3
Suggestions for prayer and
reflection
- If pleasure, pain and passion
are an integral part of what it is to be human, spend time getting
touch with your responses to these questions under the headings of
humanity, sexuality and spirituality.
- What are some of the things
that bring you pleasure? Where do you find an outlet for laughter
and fun? What recently has shaken God with your laughter?
- What makes you weep? What stirs
you to the point of tears, touching you painfully in the deepest
place in your heart? How does God share your pain and tears?
- What do you feel strongly and
passionately about? What arouses deep passion within you, and when?
How is God a passionate God for you?
- Jot down your thoughts,
feelings, reflections, and images. Be adventurous!
- After a time of prayer and
reflection, move into listening groups as before, sharing only that
which you choose to share, without comment.
Worship
Perhaps an open time of sharing
any connections made, surprises experienced, shocks and so on, with a
reminder about the confidentiality of all that is shared.
Close with a time of silence and a
sharing of the peace through the group, with handshakes and/or hugs.
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