When and where

Soulspace is an optional spiritual extra. So no pressure to attend. Which means you must think carefully about when and where to hold it.

Here are some suggestions. Don’t follow them slavishly. Just use them to ask, ‘What would work for our group?’

When

Before or after your community meets? This would emphasize that Soulspace is an optional extra – not an essential part of the main activity, but a voluntary addition to it.

Or during your main event, while you are doing craft or eating for example? This would suit people who can’t come early or don’t have time to wait at the end.

But beware of imposing Soulspace. Guests won’t want to be invited to a meal and then have spiritual input they were not warned about.

So, if you are introducing Soulspace during your main event,

    • Might you hold Soulspace in a separate room, or in a corner of the hall if it is big enough?
    • If you want to include the whole group, introduce Soulspace in a way that invites people to opt out if they wish. For example:

‘We are going to have our Soulspace in a few minutes…If you want to sit this out, please feel free to do so.’

OR

‘We’ve set out a table over there where you can chat quietly with others. Or you can stay where you are, have some personal headspace, and ignore what it is going on around you. Soulspace will last only for about 10 minutes.’

Where?

A separate room would be ideal so that you are not disturbed. Try arranging the chairs in a circle or semi-circle, with a low table as a focal point. (And if you are in church, bring a heater during the winter!)

If you don’t have a separate room, might you create a ‘spiritual zone’ in a corner of the room where you meet? Find a table, cover it with a white cloth, place a candle on it, and arrange chairs in a semi-circle around the table. The chairs will create a boundary to your spiritual space.

Has the group given permission?

Don’t introduce Soulspace without permission of the group!

If you are launching an outreach or a community engagement activity, mention Soulspace in your publicity so that people know what to expect – eg

    • ‘A film club with a spiritual extra’
    • ‘A warm space – with tasty refreshments, and spiritual refreshment for those who want’
    • ‘A friendly cafe with food for the body, and food for the soul if you want’
    • ‘A keep fit class, with the option to keep fit emotionally and spiritually’

If the group is well established, go to here