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News from Scotland
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MORE ON-GOING REFLECTION ON NEWMAN CONSULTATION Steve Lavery reports on a recent meeting of the Scottish NST for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal which met in Glasgow on 21st January 2006 to continue the on-going reflection on the Newman Consultation. The main item on the agenda was to look at the feedback from the group discussions that had taken place during the National Conference where our aim had been to take forward the process which began at the Newman Consultation last June. The groups at the Scottish National Conference last year had been asked to reflect on “The Pentecost Experience” at a personal level, within the prayer group situation and at diocesan and national levels. Having reflected on this, they were then asked to identify the essentials of this experience and project these into concrete examples and actions. During the discussion at the meeting, it was clear, as it was at Newman itself, that central to everything was Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Our Pentecost Experience was not to be passive but we ought to be active in that we co-operate with the action of the Holy Spirit. One prophetic word that came through the prayer and praise at the meeting was that we were not to run ahead of the Lord and certainly not to lag behind. In all the feedback from the National Conference there was no mention of praise, prophecy, listening to the Word but this was not seen as being negative but rather that these gifts were like breathing in this new life given to us through our second conversion in Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It was noted that over the years the same prophetic picture had been received on many occasions at conferences; separate flames dotted all over the nation coming together as a huge beacon. There is a definite call to unity not only at an ecumenical level, but within the Renewal in Scotland. Although the prayer groups across the country may be diverse there is still a call to unity within our diversity and this cries out to all for a response. Renewal is being called, it was felt, to catechise and evangelise bringing the Life in the Spirit to the heart of the Church while reaching out to those in the world who do not know God. At a national level, we must, with other Christians, be a voice presenting Christian values to the nation – a voice that is heard. Another area that we need to address, was the importance of engaging each prayer group member. The question we had to ask ourselves was does this happen? Are the people in our prayer groups aware of our current re-examination of vision and direction, never mind feeling part of the process? Is its prophetic message reaching everyone? How do we ensure that what is being discussed is filtering down into the heart of Renewal? “Pentecost experience, not to be passive” With prayer groups being smaller it was suggested that it may be time to take a radical look at this. Each group may want to look at what they are doing and why they are doing it. Is it time for groups to come together into larger units and offer greater encouragement and support to members thus encouraging them to reach out using the gifts? The process continues and for the next meeting each member of the NST has been asked to come up with one concrete proposal from what they have heard and read from Newman and the National Conference. The process may seem long but could it be that we are being taken step by step in preparation for something big? Are we being prepared by the Holy Spirit, stage by stage for something wonderful?
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