LREDA FALL CONFERENCE, October 21-24, 2005

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

Rev. Helen Zidowecki

In the last year, literally, Small Group Ministry has become a methodology within Lifespan Faith Development. It is a way for participants to develop deeper relationships within programming for all ages, with religious education leadership development, and in conference settings.

As we use Small Group Ministry in expanded areas, we need to retain the basic concepts:

Small -- 6-8 people in a group so that every participant has the opportunity -- and the challenge -- of sharing and of being heard.

Group -- a gathering of individuals to do ministry.

Ministry -- caring for the spiritual as well as the physical and emotional well-being of the participants, including ourselves.

This process allows us to be part of an educational ministry, deepening our spiritual journeys as we engage with critical topics. A premise of the process is dialogue, or the open sharing of perspectives without judgment, and the opportunity to gain insights and other perspectives.  Part of this process is:

Telling and owning our own stories. This includes speaking directly, without such lead-ins as "this may not be a good example, but…" -- just give the story! Lead-ins and ‘disclaimers’ beg for response and detract from the story itself.

Listening without comment, giving advice or problem-solving (which can be deferred to outside of the group meeting time). The time together is for listening to the richness of each other’s stories.

Engaging a topic from the soul, knowing that time for the ‘nuts and bolts,’ the details and specific planning will follow. Stories are just that, giving clues and perspectives.

The introductory session, "Creating Our Own Story," focuses on stories related to LREDA as we create the community for this year's Fall Conference. It is hoped that groups established during the opening session will meet for about an hour at a time each day, or meet 2-3 additional times. This will provide a time for ongoing check-in and consideration of the theme presentation. The session plans that are available may be used in any sequence, except that "Homeward Bound" is designed for the last time that the small group meets.

"Call to Religious Education Leadership"

"The Congregation’s Story"

"Who Owns Religious Education?"

"Externalizing, or Creating Space"

"Who Owns Religious Education"

"Going Home With A New Story"

"Homeward Bound"

Each group selects a facilitator, and facilitation can be shared or rotated.

The facilitator models good group process and listening skills and helps the group adhere to the group covenant. They may have to move session along, but the members have the primary responsibility for group functioning. The role of the facilitator is to

      Ensure that each person is included, heard, and valued

      Help participants bring their own experiences to the living tradition we share.

      Provide a variety of ways to "process" the message or topic

So throughout this conference, please you engage with each other and with the material in such a way we are truly capable of "Mapping Unchartered Territory" (topic of presentations by Rev. Lawrence Peers) for ourselves and our congregations in a supportive and creative environment.