Scripture, Silence, Stories
The BFL/VEA Well is a time to gather in community and share stories—the stories of scripture and the stories of our own lives. Through this time together—in prayer, in listening, in open-heartedness—you are invited to get to know some of your BFL companions: folks from other BFL/VEA faith communities, from the BFL/VEA leadership team, from the team of spiritual directors and pray-ers who hold BFL/VEA and its people in their hearts and prayers. Through prayerful listening to scripture (lectio divina) and through the authentic sharing of our own experiences that connect to the lessons of the scripture, the Holy Spirit draws us closer to each other, to our own selves, to God. Come join us each Tuesday, 8pm EST! All are welcome.
“Telling and receiving stories breaks through illusions of separateness and activates a deep sense of our collective interdependence and the bonds that form us as a community.”
– Susan Beaumont
Joining Us for the First Time?
Our Process for Lectio Divina
The scripture will be read the first time with an invitation for you to listen for a word or phrase
that stands out, that catches your heart, that you notice in the midst of the reading.
There will be silence of approximately 2 minutes in which you are invited to hold your heart
open to the Holy Spirit as you hold the word or phrase, hold it out to Spirit, hold it close in your
heart.
The scripture will be read a second time with an invitation for you to notice what thoughts or
ideas bubble up as you hear the scripture again.
There will be silence of approximately 2 minutes in which you are invited to be open to the
Spirit as you hold those thoughts and ideas. Notice where you may go with them.
The scripture will be read a third time with an invitation for you to notice if there is an
invitation for you in this day, in your life, that flows from the scripture.
There will be silence of approximately 2 minutes in which you are invited to hold the invitation
with God.
A singing bowl will ring at the end of this time.
There will be an invitation for anyone to unmute, offer the word or phrase into our Zoom
circle, and then mute again.
After there has been time for those who wish to speak their word or phrase, space will be kept
for those who feel led to share a few thoughts about their prayer with the scripture.
Touchstones for our Time Together
Listen deeply, with an open heart. There is much we have to learn from each other.
Always by invitation. There is no pressure to speak unless you feel led by the Holy Spirit to do
so. It is perfectly okay, if asked to share, to “pass.”
Be mindful of the invitation to brevity. The size of this group will vary Tuesday to Tuesday.
Please be mindful of allowing space for all to participate if they so choose by not taking over all
the air waves. Be concise, be authentic, be “pithy.”
No fixing, no advising, no setting each other straight. We are all here to discover our own
truths in community. We are not here to “fix” another person or to help right another person’s
wrongs as we perceive them.
Suspend all judgement. To the degree possible, let go of judging others and allow their spoken
truths to enter your heart and swim around a bit. Allow space to see how another’s truths may
inform you, affirm you, help you clarify your own truth. Be grateful for the learning.
Speak your won truth. Speak what is in your heart, trusting that it will be received with love
and respect.
Maintain confidentiality. Confidence in this can help everyone in the group to have courage to
speak their truth.
Respect difference. Remember that each of us is “fearfully and wonderfully made” by the Great
Creator who loves us each and loves us all more than we could ever name.