Spiritual Nurture Groups are small groups that meet regularly to share what resonates about a particular book or topic, develop a spiritual practice, or engage in an activity to deepen relationships and build trust. Some groups meet for the duration of a book, others have met for years. Each fall, Cincinnati Friends Meeting hosts a spiritual-nurture retreat for members and attenders to connect and form or renew spiritual nurture groups for the coming year. Most groups are open to new members at that time; some of these groups may be open at other times. Because 6-9 members is the ideal for deep sharing and ensuring all voices are heard, some groups are closed when the limit is reached.
A good starting point for newcomers interested in a group is the Introduction to the People Called Quakers” class, a prerequisite for membership.
Other groups have included those listed below.
If you are interested in a small group, contact our office at 513-791-0788 or office@cincinnatifriends.org, or contact the group’s facilitator.
Facilitator: Jim Newby
Day/Time: Jan. 14, 21 and 28, 2025 6:30 pm - Offered twice per year
This three-week class is for those who are interested in learning about the Quaker movement, are considering membership at Cincinnati Friends Meeting, or for those who would like a refresher course. We will study the beginnings of Quakerism in the mid-seventeenth century; the four periods of Quaker history; the genius of the American Quaker, John Woolman; how Quakers worship and the testimonies that they hold dear; the various Quaker educational institutions and umbrella organizations; the history of Cincinnati Friends Meeting, and Quakers today.
Contact: Jim Newby, minister@cincinnatifriends.org or (513) 791-0788
Day/Time: Jan. 14, 21 and 28, 2025 6:30 pm - Offered twice per year
This three-week class is for those who are interested in learning about the Quaker movement, are considering membership at Cincinnati Friends Meeting, or for those who would like a refresher course. We will study the beginnings of Quakerism in the mid-seventeenth century; the four periods of Quaker history; the genius of the American Quaker, John Woolman; how Quakers worship and the testimonies that they hold dear; the various Quaker educational institutions and umbrella organizations; the history of Cincinnati Friends Meeting, and Quakers today.
Contact: Jim Newby, minister@cincinnatifriends.org or (513) 791-0788
Facilitator: Cathy Barney
Day/Time: monthly, often 3rd Fridays at 11 am
Moving from exploring our racial bias personally to looking at our bias as a faith community, this group honors our commitment to EquaSion’s “A Mighty Stream” movement. We have deep, rich talks about hard subjects and plan to share the fruits of that work more widely in the community in 2025 to spark others on this path. Most of us have engaged in this work before, but we are open to anyone also dedicated to this work with an open heart. *After our community talks, Feb. 16 and March 4, 2025, would be an ideal time to join as we are in the midst of planning right now.
Contact: Cathy Barney, cathybarney@cincinnatifriends.org
Day/Time: monthly, often 3rd Fridays at 11 am
Moving from exploring our racial bias personally to looking at our bias as a faith community, this group honors our commitment to EquaSion’s “A Mighty Stream” movement. We have deep, rich talks about hard subjects and plan to share the fruits of that work more widely in the community in 2025 to spark others on this path. Most of us have engaged in this work before, but we are open to anyone also dedicated to this work with an open heart. *After our community talks, Feb. 16 and March 4, 2025, would be an ideal time to join as we are in the midst of planning right now.
Contact: Cathy Barney, cathybarney@cincinnatifriends.org
Facilitator: Michael Ramos
Day/Time: 3rd Tuesday, 6:30-8:00 pm beginning in January 2024
Reading and writing poetry is similar to seeking God and light. Both require practices to center us into experience, and each of us must create practices unique to us. Entering its second year, this nurture group assists participants, experienced in poetry or not, with creating personal practices that will center them in reading and writing poetry. Open to those outside of Cincinnati Friends.
Contact: Michael Ramos, mramos@fuse.net or (513) 607-8569
Day/Time: 3rd Tuesday, 6:30-8:00 pm beginning in January 2024
Reading and writing poetry is similar to seeking God and light. Both require practices to center us into experience, and each of us must create practices unique to us. Entering its second year, this nurture group assists participants, experienced in poetry or not, with creating personal practices that will center them in reading and writing poetry. Open to those outside of Cincinnati Friends.
Contact: Michael Ramos, mramos@fuse.net or (513) 607-8569
Facilitator: Jeff Arnold
Day/Time: 3rd Thursday of every month from 6:30-8:00 PM
This group uses the classic ancient Chinese text the Tao Te Ching as a basis for spiritual nurture and reflection – not a book study – in a modified worship sharing format. Though the text is difficult for Westerners because it is deeply spiritual while also being non-theistic, non-credal, and non-dogmatic, as Quakers we can feel our way into this way of being in the world. Any versions that you have on your shelf are welcome.
Contact: Jeff Arnold, jeffarn@gmail.com
Day/Time: 3rd Thursday of every month from 6:30-8:00 PM
This group uses the classic ancient Chinese text the Tao Te Ching as a basis for spiritual nurture and reflection – not a book study – in a modified worship sharing format. Though the text is difficult for Westerners because it is deeply spiritual while also being non-theistic, non-credal, and non-dogmatic, as Quakers we can feel our way into this way of being in the world. Any versions that you have on your shelf are welcome.
Contact: Jeff Arnold, jeffarn@gmail.com
Facilitator: Jeff Arnold
Day/Time: 3rd Monday of every month 6:30 -8:00 PM
Moving from Integral Spirituality by Ken Wilber to Letting Go by David Hawkins, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and currently Care of the Soul by Thomas Moore, group members take turns facilitating deep sharing around the current selection.
Contact: Jeff Arnold, jeffarn@gmail.com
Day/Time: 3rd Monday of every month 6:30 -8:00 PM
Moving from Integral Spirituality by Ken Wilber to Letting Go by David Hawkins, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and currently Care of the Soul by Thomas Moore, group members take turns facilitating deep sharing around the current selection.
Contact: Jeff Arnold, jeffarn@gmail.com
Facilitator: Cathy Barney
Day/Time: meeting date and time to be determined Open to all ages and experience, we accompany, assist and love one another wherever we are, sharing our joys and disappointments. The past year we focused on Parker Palmer’s On the Brink of Everything, a refreshing perspective on aging and life. In 2025, we’ll take turns facilitating experiences, the arts, spiritual practices, readings or whatever the presenter is led to share around spirituality. Each session includes a brief check-in, deep listening and encouragement of a spiritual practice.
Contact: Cathy Barney, cathybarney@cincinnatifriends.org
Day/Time: meeting date and time to be determined Open to all ages and experience, we accompany, assist and love one another wherever we are, sharing our joys and disappointments. The past year we focused on Parker Palmer’s On the Brink of Everything, a refreshing perspective on aging and life. In 2025, we’ll take turns facilitating experiences, the arts, spiritual practices, readings or whatever the presenter is led to share around spirituality. Each session includes a brief check-in, deep listening and encouragement of a spiritual practice.
Contact: Cathy Barney, cathybarney@cincinnatifriends.org
Facilitator: Linda Daigle
Day/Time/Location: every other Saturday, 9-10:30 am UpSide Brew, 329 Ludlow Ave. Clifton
Intergenerational with a focus on younger attenders supported by experienced Quakers, the group provides a casual space to explore spirituality, build community, support and encourage each other. Participants volunteer to choose a topic and lead discussion.
Contact: Contact office@cincinnatifriends.org for Linda Daigle's information if you are interested.
Day/Time/Location: every other Saturday, 9-10:30 am UpSide Brew, 329 Ludlow Ave. Clifton
Intergenerational with a focus on younger attenders supported by experienced Quakers, the group provides a casual space to explore spirituality, build community, support and encourage each other. Participants volunteer to choose a topic and lead discussion.
Contact: Contact office@cincinnatifriends.org for Linda Daigle's information if you are interested.
Day/Time: monthly after worship, TBD
A time for one member or attender to share their passion within or external to Quakerism. Cincinnati Friends Meeting in a smaller group setting.
Contact: Jim Newby, minister@cincinnatifriends.org or (513) 791-0788
A time for one member or attender to share their passion within or external to Quakerism. Cincinnati Friends Meeting in a smaller group setting.
Contact: Jim Newby, minister@cincinnatifriends.org or (513) 791-0788