A Gathering of Joy
… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
Gal 5:22-23
How do we choose joy when the world is on fire?
How do we choose joy when sorrow or difficulties pervade our personal lives?
A Gathering of Joy brings together wisdom from scripture and other sources to explore how joy can be found, cultivated and expressed, even and especially, in difficult times.
You will be invited to notice and cultivate joy in your own life by contributing material that you have found joyful – music, writings, dance, reflections etc – to share with the group.
Join us for four sessions, over four consecutive Sundays, as we look at how to cultivate the fruit of joy in our lives so we can truly live life in abundance.
Sunday May 24: Choosing Joy in a world of sorrow
Sunday May 31: Surprised by Joy in an ordinary life
Sunday June 7: Joy in connection, learning to live with one another again
Sunday June 14: Joy and Hope, a beautiful partnership
The structure above is a loose outline for the four weeks. The sessions will be conversational style so if we wish to stay longer on a particular idea then we will. Equally we may move quicker over material that is not resonating with the group. Each week we will begin where the conversation left off the week before.
The gathering will be over Zoom starting at 5pm and running for an hour and a half. You are invited to join us each week or dip into the sessions when you can.
Please sign up below to go on the email list if you would like to take part.
You can also sign up on the 3D Dialogue | Ministries page.
Sign up for 3D Dialogue Emails
Email content is sent before the gatherings including resources and invitations to reflect.
Tears are welcome and sometimes needed.
Camera on or off is completely up to you.
Using the chat function instead of voice is also good.
Pastoral Care is always available online via phone, Zoom or email so please reach out if you need a follow up chat.
- Keep comments rooted in your own lived experience and refrain from remarks that are overly abstract, philosophical, or theoretical.
- Express your own thoughts knowing that others will listen and reflect upon what you say. It is helpful to use "I" statements like "I believe..." or "I am confused by that response." Try framing your remarks with phrases such as "My assumption is that..." or "My experience has been..." Trust that others are hearing you.
- Pay attention to the assumptions, attitudes, and experiences underlying your initial or surface thoughts on the topic. Ask yourself questions like: "Why am I drawn to this particular passage?" "What makes me feel this way?"
- Remember to listen first and refrain from thinking about how you might respond to another's comments. Simply listen to and accept his or her thoughts on the subject without trying to challenge, critique, or even respond aloud to them.
- Trust the group. Observe how the participants' ideas, reflections, common concerns, assumptions, and attitudes come together and form a collective group mind.
- Reflect before speaking and be concise. Make one point or relate one experience, then stop and allow others to do the same.
- Expect periods of silence during the dialogue. Learn to be comfortable with silence and resist the urge to speak just because there is silence.
- Avoid cross-talking. In time you will adjust to saying something and not receiving a response and to listening without asking a question, challenging, or responding directly. Simply speak from your own experience or perspective as you honor others doing the same.