To Enter the Virtual Chapel zoom room click HERE
To join our free social media platform click HERE
Our community has a few different aspects to it, mostly free online video calls. Whether you’re new to the community or a long time friend, this page explains how everything works. We keep it updated as things inevitably change and adapt, so check back periodically.
The main menu helps you find your way to meetings and other things we offer. The link to join all meetings is at the top of this page. If you’re on your computer the menu will be a row of headings underneath the photo at the top of this page, if you’re on your phone it will show as a drop down menu instead.
You can also explore our website by using the search bar at the bottom of every page. There are hundreds of essays covering a wide range of topics. If you are here to read, the search bar is your friend. We hope you will take the time to look up ideas, practices, or saints and mystics who inspire you.
In this video a handful of the Chapel volunteers chat about who we are, what we do, and why it is beautiful. All the details of our meetings and Facebook groups, including a calendar, can be found below.
Zoom Meetings
Below is the calendar for our zoom meetings followed by an explanation of each kind of meeting.
Chapel
Chapel meetings are the heart of what we do. They are led by various members of our community and each person brings their own insights to our time together. We usually follow the same format, but each meeting takes on a life of its own and you never know exactly what to expect. The order of the meetings is:
- 15 min of fellowship
- A short reading
- 15 min of silence
- A longer reading
- About an hour of discussion and sharing
We meet this way twice each week, the dates and times are in the calendar above as well as who is leading each meeting. Chapel meetings start at 4:00pm est on Mondays and 11am est on Saturdays. Please remain muted during the silence as small noises become distracting when there is no other sound.
The second Monday of each month is a communion service led by one of our volunteers. The theme and format vary from month to month, but they often reflect the liturgical season. The dates are in the calendar.
The liturgies for communion and the readings for each Chapel meeting are posted in The Virtual Chapel Facebook group a day or two ahead of time. You can use the link at the top of this page to join. The link to this page is also included with each post in the Chapel Facebook group.
Everyone is welcome to join us. You don’t need to register ahead of time. You can come and go as you please, there’s no concern about arriving late or leaving early. We maintain a safe and welcoming space where differences are encouraged and kindness is required.
Silence
Our silent meetings are exactly what they sound like – an hour of complete silence. We meet in the Chapel zoom room, arriving in silence and leaving in silence. Silent meetings happen every Friday at 2 pm est. Everybody is welcome to join and you don’t have to stay for the entire time. Come and go as you please. If you are comfortable doing so, we ask that you leave your camera on and your mic off throughout the entire meeting. That way we can feel connected to one another even though we are not speaking. Some people choose to keep a candle going as a means to center and connect with the group.
Book Group
Our book study group meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 4:00 pm est in the Chapel zoom room. There are also discussion questions and other posts about the book posted in The Virtual Chapel Facebook group. If you are interested in the book group and would like to learn more, make a post in the Chapel and someone will be sure to respond.
Spiritual Direction
The Virtual Chapel has a team of three spiritual directors who work together, caring for people within and outside our community. In Celtic Christianity, a spiritual director is called an anamchara, which means ‘soul friend.’ While each of us has a unique understanding of what it means to be a friend of the soul, we all agree that equality, compassion, and deep listening are essential for the flourishing of any friendship. Click HERE to learn more.
The idea of virtual community is new in the history of the world. Never before have people been able to form the type of daily and personal friendships we see happening all around the world with people they have never met face to face. To all the generations who came before us, the mystery and potential of social media and other online resources would be nothing short of a magical realm, something from the tales of wizards and fairy folk. This uncharted territory is what we are currently exploring. Our community is constantly growing, adapting, and finding new ways to make the best of this magnificent and endless space.
I would like to give a big shout out to all the volunteers who make this possible by offering their wisdom, time, and kindness. You are all VERY much appreciated and loved. There are many volunteers who work together to keep the community healthy, lead meetings, and engage with people’s questions and comments. The moderators approve new posts to make sure that we are able to stay focused and that nothing inappropriate is shared, please report anything inappropriate to the moderators.
While New Eden Ministry is a community with many dedicated members, they are all volunteers and not employees. As such they are not responsible for anything that happens or the conduct of any person. If you have any concerns please contact Justin directly by email: justin@newedenministry.com