Servant Leadership Team Minutes from May 16, 2020

In attendance:  (Via Zoom) Kathy Agnew, Elena Andrews, Linda Dollins, Parth Domke, Diane Langworthy, Deborah Lewallen, Merrilee Melvin, Kathy Mendoza, Diane Oldfield, Vicki Rehkopf, Jan Simpson, Patti Smith, Joan Thompson, Susan Wheeler, Mary Williams

Mary offered a spoken prayer and led the participants in centering prayer.

COSD Liason (Diane Langworthy): 

Diane reported that COSD is offering assistance to its prayer groups, especially in using the Zoom format.  COSD has offered to pay for Zoom for any prayer group that needs this. 

Media Librarian (Diane Oldfield): 

No current activity in Media Library.

CONSD Finances (Merrilee Melvin): 

Merrilee reported that the chapter checking account currently has a balance of $10,868. 

Prince of Peace Abbey is holding the $3900 deposit that the chapter paid for the Deepening Retreat (which was cancelled due to concerns about Covid-19).  Prince of Peace is willing to apply this deposit to any event that the chapter schedules there in the future.

Linda asked if the chapter might buy a business subscription to Zoom which would cost at least $150.  A business subscription would allow up to 500 participants and could be used for virtual chapter events for the duration of concerns about Covid-19.

Prayer Group Facilitator Support (Kathy Agnew):

Kathy has been writing a newsletter every 2 – 3 months for prayer group facilitators.

Mary will email prayer group facilitators to remind them that resources for the weekly Lectio Divina from Fr Thomas are available in the chapter’s blog.

Mary also explained that Linda put together a chart showing feedback from the chapter’s prayer group facilitators.  This chart shows that 14 of the 25 prayer group facilitators are meeting with their prayer groups via Zoom.  Some prayer groups are staying in touch through email or by phone.  Merrilee noted that free conference calling is available through freeconferencecall.com where one can receive an access code for free conference calling service.  She cautioned that this is a busy service, so it’s helpful to schedule meetings at 15 minutes after the hour.

Mary suggested putting a resource sheet together for prayer group facilitators.  The group discussed the possibility of publishing a hard copy of this resource sheet.

Communications (Mary Williams):

Mary discussed the “Be Still and Know” blog for CONSD servant-leaders.  She is considering changing the format to a list of resources.

Linda suggested using Mail Chimp to notify chapter members of available classes and presentations.  She pointed out that CO offers an Intro online as well as resources on Welcoming Prayer.  The group also mentioned Meditation Chapel as a resource which can be accessed through meditationchapel.org.

Webmaster (Diana Conner):

No report.

Spiritual Development (Linda Dollins):

Linda introduced the possibility of organizing a chapter meeting via Zoom. 

She also asked whether there was a need for an open prayer group. 

Linda pointed out that Rob Donaldson had planned to do a 12-Step Intro online, and asked if there was a need for that.  She mentioned that there could be a centering prayer group forming out of that Intro.

It was noted that Jim Bernholer facilitates online 11th-Step prayer groups on Tues and Thurs evenings.

Diane L asked if Chris Hagen could present "Transformation of Consciousness: Becoming the Word of God."  (This is Part II of his earlier program, “Putting on the Mind of Christ: How Centering Prayer Changes the Brain.”)  Linda and Mary will explore this with Chris.  Diane also talked about the possibility of developing a virtual multiple-day retreat.

Cynthia Bourgeault’s Northeast Wisdom Blog offers online prayer groups.  These groups include movement, chanting, reading and prayer.  Various participants take turns leading these groups.

CO offers many resources on their national website, sometimes in partnership with the Spirituality and Practice website.  A Zoom tutorial is available on the CO website, as well as the whole Spiritual Journey series, “Centering Prayer revisited,” and training on the Welcoming Prayer and Lectio Divina.  There is a “Lean In; Lighten Up” e-course on spirituality and practices such as Discernment.  Presenters include Fr Carl Arico, Meg Funk and Mary Dwyer.  These courses generally cost $50. CO National offers partial scholarships for these courses.

There was a virtual retreat available through the Mercy Center in Burlingame. Other online resources available through CO National include a Quiet Morning on June 6.

Deborah mentioned a woman who had attended her prayer group several times, but had been uncomfortable with the practices of faith sharing and discussion, as her prior prayer group simply centered together for 45 min.  Mary said that she would be willing to host a prayer-only prayer group (without faith sharing or discussion).  Parth, Elena, Kathy and Joan volunteered to facilitate this group as well.

The group attending this SLT meeting explored ideas for local virtual events:  Chris Hagen’s "Transformation of Consciousness" presentation, Merrilee’s friend Ellen Haroutunian (from Denver), Ali Kirkpatrick (who lives in San Diego), Elena’s half-day retreats.  Elena said she would be open to putting together another half-day for the chapter.

Other Concerns:

Linda told the group that the October Prince of Peace retreat would probably not happen this year.

Kathy M suggested the chapter’s making a donation to a local organization which is supporting people during the Covid-19 pandemic.  After discussion the group settled on a $300 donation, $100 to a local food bank, $100 to Interfaith, SD, and $100 to a third organization targeting support for the elderly.

The next SLT meeting is scheduled for July 11 at 9:30.

 

Linda closed the meeting with a prayer by Thomas Merton.

The meeting adjourned at 11:45 AM

 

Respectfully submitted,

Deborah Lewallen