Recently our Spiritual Life Committee (SLC) surveyed parishioners over a four-week period, inviting all to ask questions, offer constructive criticism, appraise SLC programs they had attended, and/or provide ideas about the content and format of future programs.

When founded two years ago, the SLC was asked to devote itself to offering parishioners additional opportunities to strengthen their relationships with God beyond those already offered at the Chapel of the Cross through worship, Christian education, and various other activities. Retreats, clergy presentations, quiet days, pilgrimages, and special Lenten and Advent series are among the programs to date. Attendance has been modest but steady, and one purpose of the SLC survey was to learn if other related needs were going unmet.

Fifteen parishioners completed the survey, with most praising programs that had been offered since the SLC started. Suggestions offered by two or more survey participants included holding more retreats off-site (the church is busy, and busy means noisy), having spiritual discipleship small groups meet weekly over an extended period, and forming study groups for those in common situations (e.g., those new to our denomination or congregation. teens, those struggling with faith building, etc.). There were also requests to tie spirituality to the arts and to make it clear that all programs are open to 'spiritual beginners,' not just to those with previous group experience in spiritual growth.

The SLC has already begun discussing how to incorporate these ideas into future programs. This fall, for instance, in place of our usual Pentecost-season quiet day, we will sponsor a week-night series tentatively titled "Anglican Spirituality in the Midst of Everyday Life." It will be intentionally accessible to rank beginners in the formal spiritual questóno pertinent knowledge or experience expectedójust bring your yearning for deeper living! Details will be forthcoming.

The SLC has both the Rev. Vicky Jamieson-Drake and the Rev. Tammy Lee as advisors. It was chaired for its first two years by Tim West, and Tim Hinton has just become the new chair. If you have ideas or comments for us, please contact either of them, one of the clergy, or another SLC member (Steve Bredehoeft, Trenna Corey, David Dodson, Gayle Hartis, John Vernon, Jan Seabock, Judy Watkins). We appreciate your interest!