Prayer Life
Prayer is the foundation of all Religious Life. It is from this basis that our life and ministry flow. Lack of attention to prayer will eventually weaken ministry and cause one to stumble on the journey. "Do not practice long drawn out devotions, but rather give yourself to prayer at intervals as you would to food. Pious humbug is an invention of the devil." (Rule of Conghall, 8th century). Where two or more members of the Fellowship are gathered there shall be some form of common worship. This worship will include the reading of Scripture and/or a writing from the Tradition, praise, silence, thanksgiving, blessing, intercession and confession.
Members of the Fellowship who belong to liturgically oriented churches should seek to support and attend celebrations of the Eucharist and the Divine Office as often as possible. As a matter of continuity and fraternal spirit, the use of The Celtic Prayer Book of the Northumbria Community shall be used for at least one office per day. This book contains forms for four (4) daily monastic hours: Morning Prayer, Noon Prayer, Evening Prayer and Compline or Night Prayer. Members will pray, at a minimum, Morning or Evening Prayer in addition to Compline daily.
All of our members support and participate regularly in a local worship community of their tradition. We will endeavor to make time for daily reflection and intercession of at least 15 minutes each in the morning and evening. If able to spend more time in meditative prayer, or to take time during the course of the day, it is to be encouraged. We try to pray through the complete Psalter once a quarter, or, if possible, once a month. We encourage a daily examen as an aide to spiritual growth. The Litany of Penance from the Ash Wednesday Service in the Book of Common Prayer is helpful for this. If sacramental confession is desired, remember that it is not to become a mechanical ritual, but a true desire for metanoia.
Ministry
Daily life should be lived in a spirit of blessing and generosity. To offer a blessing to each person you meet is an "ointment of praise" to God. As hospitality is a mark of the Celtic tradition, so too will the members of Anamchara Fellowship seek ways to provide hospitality to friend and stranger, according to their means. It is desirable for members to participate in some ministry of their local congregation of either a pastoral or educational nature. (Serving on Altar Guild, participation in intercessory prayer group, serving as a Eucharistic minister or teaching in the Church School are examples.) Even if one has a full time ministry outside of the parish setting, it is still suggested that a member of Anamchara Fellowship find a way to participate in the ministry of their local community of worship.
The Fellowship offers a wide range of programs for your parish, diocese or spirituality group. Conisder contacting them for your next: Retreat, Quiet Day, Prayer Conference, Pilgrimage, EFM group, Bible Study Seminar, Vacation Church School, Pastoral Care Training, Sunday School Teacher Training, or for personal Spiritual Direction.
Tithing and Almsgiving
Members will work toward the Biblical stewardship of the Tithe, as they are able. In consideration of the yearly pledge to parish and other charitable organizations, it is suggested that each member will donate a portion of their giving to The Anamchara Fellowship, Inc. to help defray the costs of administration and public relations. The Directors of the Fellowship hold the corporate account and make a yearly report to the members of all expenditures and receipts.