Author: Kathryn Turner
Description: Exodus and Reflective Questions - 01

Exodus – A People Moving Forward Together in Hope

Drawn from the Waters

Opening Prayers
Reader We gather in the name of the Father: All The eternal God of the past – the present – and the future.
Reader We gather in the name of the Son: All Who called together a people – to bear his name and to build his Kingdom.
Reader We gather in the name of the Holy Spirit: All At work in the unfolding of God’s mighty plan – creating and renewing in every age so that each generation builds upon the richness of the last and stands as firm foundation for those to come.
Remembering the Journey
We will hear an extract from the Book of Exodus, telling us a child whose life was saved and who went on to lead God’s people on a journey from an old way of life along a path laid before them by God.
Thoughts for Reflection
What first strikes you about the Reading?
The Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope) has the following sentence: The future of humanity lies in the hands of those strong enough to give future generations reasons for living and for hoping.
How might the midwives—Moses’ family—and Pharaoh’s daughter be living examples of the people Gaudium et Spes describes?
How might we be living examples of it?
People drawn from baptismal waters
Looking at the rights and responsibilities that come with our baptism.
Exploring the Way
Having reminded ourselves of the dignity and graces that come with baptism, we now turn to some of the questions in Forward Together in Hope. The questions for this session come from the headings: The Christian Faithful and Leadership.
Looking at our community’s data
Information relevant to our reflective questions is presented to help our discussions.
Reflective Questions
How can our community look to sustain and increase the number of people worshipping with us towards 2030?
What lay leadership is currently available and effective in our community?
For what other areas of our community life could carefully prepared lay men and women assume responsibility?

Closing Prayer Forward Together in Hope prayer

Glory be to the Father -
in whom we live and move
and have our being.
Glory be to the Son -
Whose name we bear
and who calls each of us
to be his disciples;
to build his Kingdom
and to go out into the world
and bear its fruit.
Glory be to the Holy Spirit -
pouring out grace and guidance,
forming us and renewing us.
Inspire us all
In the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle
to live the Gospel,
to be open to change
and to move forward together in hope