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 The Fourth Order of Francis and Clare |
Guidelines for Gathering
When we gather together in simplicity for prayer, for study, for sacred conversation and sharing, coming as we do from different religions, cultures, races, nationalities something strong and beautiful occurs. This coming together with loving kindness and compassion is our prayer for all our relations, for this world. This pleases God.
When we gather together and acknowledge our condition of being, our interdependence, our relationship with each other and all living beings we deepen our prayer for this world.
When we confront, accept, embrace and share our personality, behaviors, thought processes, our frailties, our ideals as simply states of being, we are on the journey of willing transformation, the journey to our true identity in that hidden source.
The coming together for gathering is not a small thing. In the ways of the Spirit it is a bold act of power.
Because of our diversity we come together for prayer, meditation and sharing in the most fundamental ways through silence, sound and movement. The three Guidelines for Gathering reflect this. They are not meant to limit the ways in which we gather, but are fundamental to the Fourth Order life. They are not evangelical events. There is no one to convert. We are not building a new religion. We have no ambition but presence.
Shared Leadership
The gatherings of the Fourth Order of Francis and Clare are self-facilitated with shared leadership. Any member of the group may lead following the simple pattern outlined below.
The three basic gatherings are similar in form for simplicity. They differ only in focus. The form is simple, can be duplicated with ease, and provides order and comfort. It is a simple container holding us as we share communally in three different ways and with three different and important attentions of spirit.
The Form
In each gathering
If practical or culturally appropriate we prefer sitting in a circle. However sometimes the space or cultural considerations require other seating arrangements.
The gathered community led by the evening facilitator prays the Simple Prayer at the beginning and end of the gathering.
The evening facilitator reads a Welcome which explains the focus and process of the gathering to new people and assists people in feeling comfortable. Each of the three basic gatherings has a prepared welcome for the ease of the facilitator. These are in the Gathering Book and are on this site as well.
A person selected by the evening facilitator reads the Condition of Being.
The Traditions are passed around for a shared reading out loud by the group.
Before people share they introduce themselves by their first name.
The gathering closes with spontaneous prayer, song and the Simple Prayer.
Three Different Gatherings - Three Different Attentions
The three attentions are all functions of the practice of presence to the divine mystery, to ourselves, and to each other. Each of the three gatherings has a specific attention of spirit.
Deepening our spiritual lives through shared prayer and silent meditation.
Deepening our spiritual lives through contemplation, reflection and understanding of the wisdom of experience.
Deepening our spiritual lives through contemplation, reflection and understanding of ancestral wisdom.
