This Conversation in the Spirit process can be used for an individual meeting or as part of a wider Conversation event, in-person or virtually.
Duration: 60 minutes
Preparation
If conducting an individual Conversation in the Spirit, in a room arrange 6-8 chairs in a circle with a prayer table in the center (this could include a candle, Bible, cloth cover, and symbol of your community). Provide notepads, pens, and name tags if needed for each participant. Each conversation should have a facilitator and 6-7 participants. A notetaker is optional or the facilitator can take the final notes.
Opening Prayer:
Loving God, we come to you with open hearts and willing spirits. Quiet our minds and soften our hearts. Help us to listen without judgment, to speak with kindness, and to welcome the movement of Your Spirit in every word shared today. May these heartfelt sharings be seasoned with grace, truth, and love. Help us to listen with compassion, speak truthfully and with wisdom, and seek understanding among us. Remove any pride, distraction, or division, and replace them with humility, clarity, and unity. Let this time honor You, strengthen our relationships with all in our family, and bear fruit that lasts. We commit this conversation into Your hands, trusting that where two or three are gathered in Your name, You are in our midst. Amen.
Facilitator: (this or similar words can be used)
Tonight/Today’s conversation is an invitation to listen deeply to one another and to the Spirit to discern how God is calling us to journey more closely together and live the Gospel more fully and authentically as individual disciples and the Body of Christ. Conversation in the Spirit is an invitation to be present to the Holy Spirit among us and within each of us. Notes will be taken at the end to capture converging points and recommendations. These notes will be collected and compiled along with other reports from conversations like this happening around the world. The reports will be shared with the Vatican Synod Office in advance of the meeting of Bishops in October where they will discuss how best to bring the Gospel message to families given the numerous challenges they face in today’s world.
Our conversation begins with naming the fruits of your prayer after reflecting on the questions. Everyone will have an opportunity to speak and respond to one another. Still, even more importantly, all are invited to listen deeply, with the ear of your heart, to one another with compassion and attention, for this is how God relates to each of us.
We will begin with a reading of the Ground Rules for conversation. All are asked to affirm and abide by these ground rules. We will then introduce the reflection question for first round of conversation and provide some time for your personal reflection.
Ground Rules: Read Ground Rules document (provided) Ask all to affirm.
(to be read and agreed to by all participants before each Conversation)
The conversation we are about to enter into with one another invites us all to share our experiences and our hopes for the future in an honest and open way. As we prepare to enter this Conversation, you are asked to agree to the following ground rules:
- Everyone in the conversation is expected to participate. We are all participants. There are no observers.
- Only one person may speak at a time. All are asked to actively listen with an open heart to what everyone shares.
- There is no cross-talk or interruption when someone is speaking.
- Time limits are respected. The facilitator will provide a 30 second warning and will also let each person know when the time limit is reached. You can finish your thought when time is called. No participant is required to use all of their allotted time.
- Conversations are confidential. You are responsible for your sharing.
All are asked to affirm these ground rules and to abide by them during our conversation so that all may participate fully, equitably and openly.
Do you agree and affirm these ground rules?
Before you begin
If some members are not known to each other: “Let’s begin by introducing ourselves. Please tell us your name and where you are from, and then we will get right to it.
(If virtual) Our first task is to organize ourselves alphabetically by first name. Anyone may begin but this will be the order for each person to share. (If in person), whoever wishes to begin will be followed by the person sitting on on the left and will continue in this pattern.
During the next 60 minutes, everyone will have an opportunity to share their reflections on the questions and to listen deeply to one another.
Please take a few moments to collect your thoughts. (Silence for 20 seconds)
1st round of sharing
The first round will begin with this question:
What are the joys you experience in being part of this family? What personal struggles do you experience? In general, what are the concerns and challenges with your family and the families you know?
This question should be familiar to all participants. Participants received the questions ahead of time (suggest a week before the event). This is only a review and focusing of the questions.
For the first round, you will each have 3 minutes to respond freely and without interruption. Once everyone has spoken, we will share a minute of silent reflection. We will then have a second round. This will be an opportunity to name anything that resonated with you as you listened. You will have 2 minutes for this round. We will then share another minute of silent reflection. In the final round, all will have an opportunity to name what you feel the Holy Spirit might be saying to us through this conversation. We will conclude by working together to reflect on our conversation and provide our report.
We will now begin with our first round of conversation. Again, you will have up to 3 minutes to respond. I will indicate when you have 30 seconds left. Please take a few notes while others speak if this will help you to reflect more deeply.
Please take a few moments to collect your thoughts. (Silence for 20 seconds)
Having reflected on your experience in the family, anyone can start by sharing their thoughts on these questions. The next person will continue in order. (To help the flow, you may provide a list of the order and post this list in the chat so all can see it clearly)
(The facilitator keeps time and calls out 30 seconds. Affirming each speaker when they are finished and thanking them for their offering)
(After all have spoken) Let us take one 1 minute of silence now. Consider all that has been shared. What resonated most with you? What was particularly powerful? What struck you? What inspired you?
(One minute of silence)
2nd round of sharing
We now begin our second round of sharing. Anyone can start, and then we will follow in the same order. You will have up to 2 minutes each. I will let you know when you have 30 seconds left.
Rather than repeat or elaborate on what you shared in round 1, the question for the 2nd round is inviting you to share what you heard others say:
What resonated most for you as you listened? What was most powerful? What moved you?
(All respond)
Let us pause for a minute to reflect on what you have heard in this round, where the Spirit has been present and prompting us and the Church to grow and respond. (One minute of silence)
3rd round of sharing
We will now begin our final round of sharing. You have one minute for this final sharing. I invite you to share the fruit of this time of silence.
How is the Holy Spirit prompting the Church through her priests, ministers, and fellow associates to respond to the needs of families today?
Again, anyone can begin, and then we will continue in order.
(All respond – 1 minute)
Reporting and Note-taking
Facilitator opens the online short form and answers each question with the input from everyone gathered, fills out the form making sure that everyone’s thoughts are included.you all for your response and all you have shared. I have taken notes on our conversation, especially those from this final round of sharing. I will submit a report on our behalf and this report will be included in the response that is sent to the Vatican.
(If time allows, you might ask participants what they thought the most important points were in the conversation that should be included)
Closing Prayer:
We will now close with a prayer:
Lord Jesus,
We give you thanks and praise for gathering us here today/this evening
And for speaking to us.
Give us the grace to live in communion with you and with each other,
To participate in the life of your Church,
And to advance your mission in the world.
May all we say and do be guided by your Spirit,
And may our lives and offerings bear much fruit.
We ask all this in your most holy name. Amen.