Backyard to the Universe
Small Group Ministries
CREATING OUR OWN STORY
Opening Words:
"Congregations [and organizations] are stories -- each with its own characteristics and story line, dramas and dilemmas. When we enter [an organization] we enter a story that is already going on. We seek to find our way into the trajectory of events that enfold us, as did those who came before." Lawrence Peers, "Re-creating Congregational Stories: Insights from Narrative Therapy," adapted.
Check-in: Affirm who you are, where you are from, and your role in that setting.
Topic/Activity:
Share your involvement in LREDA.
How long have you known about LREDA? How long have you been involved?
How and why did you become involved—or, why are you here?
Entering this Fall Conference,
What do you bring with you to share?
What are your needs, hopes and expectations from the conference?
What impact will your being here have on your own professional development? On others with whom you interact?
What is the covenant that you want to have within the small group?
How would you like to be treated?
How will you covenant to be part of the group?
Share a story of a key moment in a previous LREDA conference.
Share traditions that are part of LREDA Fall Conferences.
Closing words:
Where are you in the story of this organization?
We all have an impact, intentional or not, on the organization of which we are a part.
May we be aware of our contribution, may we enhance the experience of being together for ourselves and for each other.
Likes and wishes: How did this session go for you?
Rev. Helen Zidowecki, October 2005