This annual retreat is for those afire with the Holy Spirit, who seek deeper faith and bolder witness. Through worship, learning, and fellowship, we will open ourselves to Christ’s presence, and allow the Spirit to work within us as we seek God’s power. We hope you'll consider joining us as we seek to stir up the embers of our faith—both as individuals and as Friends. This year, like so many other things in our pandemic-plagued world, our Stoking the Fire gathering will be VIRTUAL.
On Saturday, a time for service is built into the retreat schedule. The natural rhythm of a spiritual community is to gather in order to scatter. Through worship, fellowship, and study, we find the strength, sustenance, and mutual support we need to grow in faith and readiness to serve. As individuals, we return to our homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces as ministers of reconciliation and agents of God’s hope and light.
During Saturday’s Scattering time, we are encouraged to set aside some or all of these five hours to make ourselves available to Christ through service. You will receive a list of possible service/ministry ideas ahead of time. Until then, reserve that time on Saturday. Begin praying about how Christ might seek to use you as a source of hope and light to others in your community.
As we regather on Saturday evening, there will be an opportunity to share how God may have used our ordinary lives in extraordinary ways.
Following this year’s STF event, we will continue gathering interested Friends for a monthly online meeting, and breakout groups focused on shared reading and reflection.
The breakout Ember Groups will serve as an ongoing source of inspiration and encouragement for those eager to kindle new life and vitality for ourselves and within our home communities. Participants will be part of a book discussion and support one another in exploring spiritual intimacy with God and greater faithfulness in service to others.
Initial options for book discussions include:
• Who Will Be a Witness? Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love and Deliverance, by Drew G. I. Hart (Herald Press)
• Invitation to a Journey: A Roadmap for Spiritual Formation, by Robert Mulholland (IVP Books)
• The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical, by Shane Claiborne
• A Testament of Devotion, by Thomas R. Kelly (Harper SanFrancisco)
FRIDAY EVENING
6:00 pm Join the virtual gathering for Unprogrammed Worship
Please enter into gathering ready to enter the silence and to center on the Presence of Christ among us. If you are led to share a message with the group, please unmute yourself.
6:30 pm Welcome and Gather
There will be a brief overview of our time together and opportunity to address any technology questions.
6:45 pm Evening Worship (“Light”)
Bill Jolliff (music) and Katie Ubry-Terrell (message) will serve as ministers among us.
7:45 pm Ember Groups (each of us will be assigned to a consistent small group in a “break-out” room).
9:00 pm Regather and Blessing — A brief return for a final song and blessing as we conclude the day.
SATURDAY MORNING
10:30 am Morning Unprogrammed Worship
11:00 am Morning Worship (“Hope”)
Bill Jolliff (music) and Bryce Coefield (message) will serve as ministers among us.
12:00 pm Ember Groups
1:00 pm Regather to be Sent in Service
Brief reconnect before using the open time to engage in service in our home communities/neighborhoods.
SATURDAY EVENING
6:00 pm Stories of Service
Reconnect as a community to share stories on our service adventures/experiments.
6:45 pm Ember Groups
7:45 pm Taize Worship
Paul Bock will minister in music and others will help with queries for further reflection.
SUNDAY MORNING
10:30 am Morning Unprogrammed Worship
11:00 am Morning Worship
Janine Saxton (music) and Colin Saxton (message) will serve as ministers among us.
12:00 pm Ember Groups
1:00 pm Regather and Sending
Plan for new, monthly Ember Group gatherings.
Since we are meeting online, we have no travel or lodging costs. We do, however, wish to support those who will be ministering among us over the weekend and cover FUM’s expense in hosting the event. Even more, we would love to create a fund for future STF gatherings when we are meeting in person! Rather than establishing a registration fee for everyone, we offer this year’s STF using a “pay as led” model. We encourage you to prayerfully consider what you are called to contribute and do so freely! If you cannot afford anything — welcome! If you can afford to be wildly generous — welcome! All contributions will be used for this or upcoming Stoking the Fire gatherings.
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