Backyard to the Universe
Small Group Ministries
Small
Group Ministry Institute
August 17 – August 22, 2008
The
Mountain Retreat & Learning Centers, Inc.
The
Highlands, North Carolina
An
opportunity for teams and individuals from congregations of all sizes
to learn and practice Small Group Ministry (SGM) with experienced
practitioners and leaders. Sessions are designed for new and
experienced program organizers, facilitators, ministers and
congregational leaders. The week will include presentations, hands-on
workshops, small group ministry experiences, sharing, networking,
informal ‘porch chats, worship – and time to enjoy what
The Mountain has to offer!
- Explore the powerful impact that Small Group Ministry is having in congregations.
- Build the skills of new facilitators and enhance skills in problem resolution.
- Participate in Small Group Ministry as Spiritual Practice.
- Explore Small Group Ministry as related to Social Justice and Faith in Action
- Create and select effective sessions, including the use of art, music, and movement.
- Learn how to lead your church’s small group ministry program
- Take home a vision and plan to explore, begin, enhance or expand Small Group Ministry.
The format
will include presentations, discussion and workshops, and the
opportunity to meet daily in a small group. Come yourself—and
bring a group from your congregation! Participants will receive a
packet of material and resources.
Leaders:
(More information is on the reverse side.)
Rev. Helen
Zidowecki (Augusta, ME); Susan Hollister (Devon, PA);
Diana Dorroh (Baton Rouge, LA);
Steve
Becker (Seattle, WA); Walter LeFlore (Stow, MA)
Comments
from Participants of previous conferences:
"Thank
you so much for all the great useful information. I enjoyed the
variety of presenters and topics
.
I feel I have the tools I need to start SGM in my church. I also
appreciated tips for how I might modify
the
approach to fit my home congregation.”
“I
will take back to my church tons of info and insights into how to be
more effective. I have more confidence
in
my abilities and purpose.”
“The
experience filled my head with information and my heart with
inspiration. I feel confident that I can now enhance the spiritual
lives of members of my congregation.”
Cost: The Mountain, shared occupancy, and Program
Fee: $492; after July 1, $517
To
Register, visit www.mountaincenters.org
or Call (828) 526-5838
Sponsored
by the Small Group Ministry
Network, see www.smallgroupministry.net
For
questions about conference content, contact Rev. Helen Zidowecki at
hzmre@hzmre.com
CONFERENCE
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Steve
Becker has been involved with small group ministry since 2003 in
the Seattle, Washington area, where he has offered facilitator
training, served as a member of the Theme Team, and has facilitated a
group for persons with special needs. His special interest is
developing topics for covenant groups. He is the Vice-President for
the Small Group Ministry Network Board of Directors. Steve lives in
Seattle.
Diana
Dorroh, Program Director, and Rev. Steve Crump have led the Baton
Rouge program since its beginning in 1999. That program now has 200
participants. She participated in several workshops organized by
Rev. Bob Hill, when he was District Executive of the Southwest
District. Her special interest is in using small group ministry to
strengthen and grow congregations. She currently serves as volunteer
staff at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge. Diana is President for
the Small Group Network Board.
Susan
Hollister has been a Unitarian Universalist for 27 years and is a
member of Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, PA. She helped launch
Small Group Ministry at MLUC and is past coordinator of the Program.
She co-facilitates a group, assists the current coordinators, and
serves on the session writing team. Susan promotes small group
ministry as an ideal way for newcomers to meet people and make
connections. Susan is the Treasurer for the Small Group Ministry
Network Board.
Walter
LeFlore is a third year seminary student at Andover Newton
Theological School. He's focused on enhancing spiritual development
and building authentic communities, using the SGM process. He has
over twenty years experience using small group process as an
organization consultant and as a facilitator in the SGM program at
First Parish Stow/Acton, MA. Walter is on the Small Group Ministry
Board.
Rev.
Helen Zidowecki has been involved with Small Group Ministry for
10 years. She is a member of the Augusta congregation, where she is a
facilitator and on the Topics Committee. Her special interest is
Small Group Ministry in Lifespan Faith Development, and smaller
congregations. She was the Program Consultant, Northeast District,
until July 2007. She leads workshops and writes materials on Small
Group Ministry. Helen resides in Litchfield, ME. She is secretary for
the Small Group Ministry Network.
Other
leaders may be added. Conference participants will be involved in the
facilitation of the Small Group Ministry Sessions throughout the
week.