Our 3rd Organizational Meeting

Our 3rd organizational meeting began at 7:30 with prayers of praise, thanksgiving and petition. Janice and Sal, Mary Ann, Phyllis, Rich, Lindy, Bill, Geri and myself were present

We reviewed each aspect of our prayer meeting using last years minutes as our guide for discussion.

Prayer meetings are usually starting close to 7:30. This is improvement.

Since last year, we have made a smaller circle of chairs. We are able to hear better and have a better feeling of intimacy.

Sal has been opening with prayer. All are welcome to add to this prayer. This is followed by a time of silence. We as a group have become more comfortable with silence.

Mary Ann is now the music ministry since Rich Ruggeri has found a prayer group closer to his home. Mary Ann requested that we ask her before the prayer meeting if we want a particular song. This way she is able to play it at a time when it will fit in with the flow of the music and the meeting. When Mary Ann is not present to play for us it was decided we would prefer to sing acappello rather than with a tape because it feels more natural.

We discussed structure of our meeting versus spontaneity and we realize we need a balance, which we strive for.

We feel progress is being made with keepping intercessory prayer from becomming too long or "story time."

Sal was thanked for doing so many teachings. Sal expressed the hope that more of us would volunteer more often to teach since it does become a burden sometimes for him. Sal also believes it is good for us to do teachings and also we do enjoy listening to different members give their teachings. Bill volunteered to speak at the next meeting.

We will continue to pray for individuals at the end of our prayer meeting but if anyone needs to leave early or needs prayer earlier, we will happily pray for anyone at any time.

Mary Ann brought up the possibility of joining occasionally with another local prayer group. We could go to their meeting one time and they could come to ours another time.

I personally believe that these organization meetings are very important. This is an opportunity for us to discuss together whatever concerns we have about our group. The consensus tonight was that we are on track. Praise God!

Anne