Groups

“Writing to Pray” began as a writer’s group and together we stretched our spiritual wings. There are several great structures that can be tweaked and adjusted to suit the group’s needs. Here are a few ideas.

Some Writing Group Structures

I. Participants select a topic to explore at meeting A, explore and write about said topic through the intervening time, and share their writing at meeting B, following the discussion with an agreement on the next topic, and so on. A list of quotes or reading material can be prepared on each topic, as a springboard for writing.

Some pros: a) participants have focus, yet flexibility in responding to a variety of stimuli, b) they have time to fully develop and explore the topic.

Some cons: a) participants must prepare in the time between meetings for the discussion to be rich, b) each meeting is dependent on participation in the previous meeting, c) someone must prepare a list of quotations and reading material

II. Participants take turns preparing pieces of their own volition. Two participants hand-out their pieces at meeting A, in the intervening time each member reads and critiques the pieces. At meeting B, each member offers their feedback to the writer, and new pieces are handed out.

Some pros: a) participants will receive critiques to improve and refine their work, thus developing their writing skills, b) each is free to decide on the topics, foci and pieces they want to explore and share.

Some cons: a) participants need to commit and follow through with reading and critiquing each other’s work on their own time, b) some potential members might not participate because of apprehension about sharing their writing.

III. At each meeting, a leader presents a writing exercise, participants spend an agreed upon amount of time writing. They then respond to the following sorts of questions: How do you feel upon completing this exercise? What did you learn about yourself, God and faith? What are you going to do in response to your discoveries? What do you want to explore further?

Some pros: a) participation in each meeting is not dependent upon attendance at the previous meeting, b) members do not have to share actual writing, which can encourage a variety of participants.

Some cons: a) writer’s eager to improve their craft may not find satisfaction with the idea of not sharing or critiquing content, b) someone must prepare an exercise for the group.

IV. Participants independently read and respond to each Sunday’s readings and share their responses at the meeting.

Some pros: a) participation in each meeting is not dependent upon attendance at the previous meeting, b) a leader is not necessary.

Some cons: a) the routine might be too monotonous for some.

At the outset, participants need to determine structure and if they are an open or closed group. If open, time must be given at each meeting for new participants to share their hopes and goals around group membership. Regardless of initial structure, it needs to be revisited and tweaked from time to time to accommodate the changes in group dynamics and changing membership.

Exercises for the First Leap

Writing to Pray as a group leads to a unique style of spiritual companionship. I’ve always encouraged participants not to read their draft out loud following the writing. Because it is an intimate conversation between writer and the Lord, its fair to expect privacy. The sharing after the writing session instead involves an exploration of the following questions: What surprised me? The Lord seems to be repeating Himself: what’s that about?”

1) “I have taught thee in the way of wisdom: I have led thee in right paths,” Proverbs 4:11. What words of wisdom are we fond of saying? What do we remember having been told? Alternatively, we remember, record and explore a dialogue in which someone shared their wisdom with us. Did we realize the significance of their words at the time? How have these words effected or influenced us?

2) 2 Tim 1:7, “Not a spirit of fear.” We recount and reflect about a time when we were driven by fear. Can we dig deeper … what was the underlying fear which caused that fear?

3) Moses was not convinced that he was the right man for the job. We remember a time in which God, or someone asked us to do something we felt was truly beyond our abilities. What did we learn about God, ourselves, humanity and faith in the process? How did we overcome the struggles or lack of skills?

4) We reflect on a cherished memory. When are we reminded of it? What is its role in our spiritual life? How could we intentionally draw strength from the memory?

5) We write a list 50 good things which have happened to us or blessings we have received.

6) We explore an epiphany; either one that evolved slowly, or one akin to a flash of lightening. How did it shift our thinking, understandings, faith, emotions or attitudes?

7) We think of all we hold onto … the good, bad and ugly. What is in our cache, treasure chest, storage bin, and/or closet? We each look inside our catch all. What is old and needs to be purged? Why do we hang onto it? What newer things would might we like to add?

8) What am we able to give right now, to whom, what is the cost, and what is the benefit of the sharing of our gift or sacrifice?

9) In Heart of a Ready Scribe Melanie Stiles writes, “It’s not a cake until all the ingredients have been added, mixed and then baked. Only a comprehensive vision ensures success.” We respond freely to this idea, or we recall a time when we metaphorically prepared a cake but did not bake it.

10) God can be conceived as Conductor, Composer and/or Master Musician. In turn, we become the music, musicians, and/or the instruments. Do we imagine ourselves to be music, musician or an instrument? Which term aptly describes God’s role in our lives– Conductor, Composer, or Master Musician? How does it expand our faith to envision ourselves and God in these other roles?

11) As Catholics we have many lists– the seven virtues, the seven deadly sins, the six principle passions and the six faculties. I might reflect on each individual conceptual set.

12) Darkness and emptiness are often characterized in our society as negative; however, each is necessary for spiritual growth. We could explore own experiences of darkness and emptiness, both the positive and negative experiences. We might include our emotions and feelings at the time, as well as our current feelings as we look back.

13) If God is The Artist, we are His work of art. We explore this idea, as well as the relationship between an artist and his art, the “function of art,” and why an artist creates. We may image ourselves as an actual piece of art… am I an oil painting, pencil sketch, maybe a sculpture? Colors, textures, forms, light? Style? Purpose?