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Saint Anthony’s ‘GiFT’ Group

By Chris Guichot de Fortis

Kraainem (13 December 2007).- GiFT, or rather ‘Growing in Faith Together’, is a weekly prayer, worship and discussion group. It was founded some ten years ago by a handful of parishioners who were anxious to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith, take time for prayer in a wild and whirling world, and discuss the way in which committed Christians can make sense of the daily challenges which life throws at us.

Around five to ten of us meet every Wednesday evening, from 20.30 until 22.00, in the parish centre, around tea, coffee (sometimes even wine!) and biscuits. 

We always sing, both hymns and worship songs, and spend time praying together, silently or aloud, spending a little time to be still with our God. In bringing Him our love and praise, we ask that He help us walk His path together, that He send us out to be prophets and disciples in what can be a confusing world. The fact of praying in a small group is often quoted as being very helpful.

The core of each session is a time of discussion, based on short video presentations by contemporary theologians or worship leaders, on an article or Biblical text which we find challenging or inspiring, or on extracts from seminal works of modern theology or moral ethics. As an example, we have recently based a series of six evenings on video witness by John Ortberg, author of the book ‘If you Want to Walk on the Water, You Have to Get out of the Boat’. We also use various tapes and DVDs linked to the ‘Alpha’ concept, or programmes such as ‘This Promise is for you’, on the gifts of the Spirit. Further groups of evenings can be based on topical liturgical programmes such as ‘Renew’ during Lent, or use age-old models such as ‘lectio divina’ to guide and inspire our prayer during Advent. 

Discussion is always lively, often surprising in the directions it takes, and without exception rewarding and instructive.

These are times of profound spiritual experience, of coming to know what it means to profess faith in Christ, of coming together to an understanding of how to touch Heaven with our minds and hearts, and then go out to change this world by ‘extending our souls to the afflicted’.

For information on ‘GiFT’, contact Chris de Fortis on 0495 344707 or defortis@skynet.be

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