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: TBD - 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. This class is free and open to the public. To register, call (513) 791-0788 or email office@cincinnatifriends.org.
Day/Time: TBD - 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. This class is free and open to the public. To register, call (513) 791-0788 or email office@cincinnatifriends.org.
Contact: Vicki Culler
Day/Time: Second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM
This group is currently closed, but may open after the Dec. 7, 2024 Spiritual Nurture Retreat
An opportunity to relate your daily life experiences to your spiritual life in a safe group setting, we (try to) connect the "mystical" with the seemingly mundane. Each month, a member volunteers to facilitate a topic or experience for reflection among the group at the next meeting. The purpose is to grow together by exploring subjects with an emphasis on a heart-and experience-based perspective, rather from our heads. We share what speaks to us and stretch ourselves while exploring what moves others." If you are interested in joining this group please contact Vicki Culler or the office.
Day/Time: Second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM
This group is currently closed, but may open after the Dec. 7, 2024 Spiritual Nurture Retreat
An opportunity to relate your daily life experiences to your spiritual life in a safe group setting, we (try to) connect the "mystical" with the seemingly mundane. Each month, a member volunteers to facilitate a topic or experience for reflection among the group at the next meeting. The purpose is to grow together by exploring subjects with an emphasis on a heart-and experience-based perspective, rather from our heads. We share what speaks to us and stretch ourselves while exploring what moves others." If you are interested in joining this group please contact Vicki Culler or the office.
Facilitator: Cathy Barney
Exploring our racial bias personally in preparation for 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 seek new members, fresh input and a way forward.
Most of us have engaged in this work before, but are open to anyone also dedicated to this work with an open heart. We had been meeting monthly. Contact Cathy Barney at cathybarney@hotmail.com if interested.
Exploring our racial bias personally in preparation for 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 seek new members, fresh input and a way forward.
Most of us have engaged in this work before, but are open to anyone also dedicated to this work with an open heart. We had been meeting monthly. Contact Cathy Barney at cathybarney@hotmail.com if interested.
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. This nurture group will assist participants with creating personal practices that will center them into being present with the experiences of reading and writing poetry. Contact the office if interested. This group is open to new members. Contact Michael Ramos mramos@fuse.net if interested.
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. This nurture group will assist participants with creating personal practices that will center them into being present with the experiences of reading and writing poetry. Contact the office if interested. This group is open to new members. Contact Michael Ramos mramos@fuse.net if interested.
Facilitator: Jeff Arnold
Day/Time: Third Thursday of every month from 6:30-8:00 PM
This group will use the classic ancient Chinese text known as the Tao Te Ching as a basis for spiritual nurture. This will not be a book study; we will use the text as a basis for reflection, using a modified worship sharing format.
This text is difficult for Westerners because it is deeply spiritual while also being non-theistic, non-credal, and non-dogmatic. Since Quakers are non-credal and non-dogmatic, we can feel our way into this way of being in the world.
Because of the difficulties of translating from Chinese characters, we will use several texts:
I recommend Ursula K LeGuin and Stephen Mitchells adaptations and commentary. They are both accessible and their commentaries are helpful. My favorite actual translator is David Hinton. He is a scholar, familiar with all the ancient Chinese texts and conversant with the original Chinese characters, or “logographs,” in which it is written. He has an excellent introduction. I also like and use the translation by Gia Fu Feng and Jane English, which also has an excellent introduction by Jacob Needleman.
There are many others- the Tao Te Ching has been translated as much as the Bible. Any versions that you have on your shelf are welcome.
Day/Time: Third Thursday of every month from 6:30-8:00 PM
This group will use the classic ancient Chinese text known as the Tao Te Ching as a basis for spiritual nurture. This will not be a book study; we will use the text as a basis for reflection, using a modified worship sharing format.
This text is difficult for Westerners because it is deeply spiritual while also being non-theistic, non-credal, and non-dogmatic. Since Quakers are non-credal and non-dogmatic, we can feel our way into this way of being in the world.
Because of the difficulties of translating from Chinese characters, we will use several texts:
I recommend Ursula K LeGuin and Stephen Mitchells adaptations and commentary. They are both accessible and their commentaries are helpful. My favorite actual translator is David Hinton. He is a scholar, familiar with all the ancient Chinese texts and conversant with the original Chinese characters, or “logographs,” in which it is written. He has an excellent introduction. I also like and use the translation by Gia Fu Feng and Jane English, which also has an excellent introduction by Jacob Needleman.
There are many others- the Tao Te Ching has been translated as much as the Bible. Any versions that you have on your shelf are welcome.
Facilitator: Jeff Arnold
Day/Time: Third Monday of every month 6:30 -8:00 PM
Meeting for over a year, we began with Integral Spirituality, by Ken Wilber, and moved to Letting Go by David Hawkins. Now we are taking up Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, which articulates the profound spiritual transformation he experienced at age 29. This journey has become a non-denominational guide to spiritual transformation, accessible to all. Contact the office if interested.
From the introduction: “There are new discoveries to be made along the way: we are not our mind; we can find our way out of psychological pain; authentic human power is found by surrendering to the Now, the present moment, where problems do not exist.” The group reads several chapters each month. You may want to reach out to the facilitator to get the reading. This group is open to new members. Contact Jeff Arnold at jeffarn@gmail.com if interested.
Day/Time: Third Monday of every month 6:30 -8:00 PM
Meeting for over a year, we began with Integral Spirituality, by Ken Wilber, and moved to Letting Go by David Hawkins. Now we are taking up Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, which articulates the profound spiritual transformation he experienced at age 29. This journey has become a non-denominational guide to spiritual transformation, accessible to all. Contact the office if interested.
From the introduction: “There are new discoveries to be made along the way: we are not our mind; we can find our way out of psychological pain; authentic human power is found by surrendering to the Now, the present moment, where problems do not exist.” The group reads several chapters each month. You may want to reach out to the facilitator to get the reading. This group is open to new members. Contact Jeff Arnold at jeffarn@gmail.com if interested.
Facilitator: Cathy Barney
This group is currently closed, but may open after the Dec. 7, 2024 Spiritual Nurture Retreat
Members of this group accompany, assist and love one another wherever we are, sharing our joys and disappointments. Beginning with Parker Palmer’s On the Brink of Everything, this nurture group will include a brief check-in and encouragement of a spiritual practice. We’ll let way open as to what happens after the book.
On the Brink offers a refreshing perspective on aging and life, including: discerning what you want to give your life to; integrating shadow; being the unvarnished self; wholeness beneath the brokenness; life as a contemplative amid the world’s madness; and evolutionary love.
This group is currently closed, but may open after the Dec. 7, 2024 Spiritual Nurture Retreat
Members of this group accompany, assist and love one another wherever we are, sharing our joys and disappointments. Beginning with Parker Palmer’s On the Brink of Everything, this nurture group will include a brief check-in and encouragement of a spiritual practice. We’ll let way open as to what happens after the book.
On the Brink offers a refreshing perspective on aging and life, including: discerning what you want to give your life to; integrating shadow; being the unvarnished self; wholeness beneath the brokenness; life as a contemplative amid the world’s madness; and evolutionary love.
Facilitator: Linda Daigle
This group is currently closed, but may open after the Dec. 12 Spiritual Nurture Retreat
This Intergenerational group meets twice a month in a variety of coffee shops around Cincinnati to explore spirituality, build community, provide support and encouragement.
This group is currently closed, but may open after the Dec. 12 Spiritual Nurture Retreat
This Intergenerational group meets twice a month in a variety of coffee shops around Cincinnati to explore spirituality, build community, provide support and encouragement.