Some Reflections on THE WAY in 2024

It is a matter of great sadness that in the last 2 years Father Raphael Armour, Dr Christine Mangala Frost and Metropolitan Kallistos have all reposed (after 2 of the original speakers – Father Michael Harper and John Bazlington – had passed to the Lord before the initial publication of this course).
It is impossible to know how THE WAY is used at the present time: perhaps sometimes by selected
lecturers. There is much to recommend running The Way as a complete course in a parish as it originally happened. One reason for this is the opportunity for fellowship. A second reason is that people felt able to put forward questions they often hesitated to ask.
Organisation may be simplified. It may be felt difficult or too time-consuming to organise a shared
meal, even as a bring-and-share event. Coffee and biscuits as people enter can be an easy and a helpful way to give a relaxed start.
It was particularly helpful to divide participants into groups after the talk that consisted only of laity. Some participants who felt their questions might be too ignorant or naïve were able to speak in a small group. Group leaders can be agreed with clergy in advance. The main point for leaders is to say as little as possible but listen.
The final panel session for all participants was also very helpful where the group leaders put forward 1 or 2 questions from their group. Originally local clergy and at least some of the lecturers would be on the panel. It is obviously impossible to have original speakers present. However local clergy with perhaps a couple of members of the parish can help to pull all together at the end.
If you have any comments you would like to make, perhaps what you found either helpful or
unhelpful and what you felt needed to be included that was not, please put these in an email to IOCS.

Gladys Bland (Contributor to THE WAY)

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