120 likes | 264 Vues
FMCSF Discernment Process . update 11 december 11. Recall/ w hy are we doing this?. To allow, observe, and welcome the calling of the Spirit among us. To respond creatively with a vision and building blocks that accomplish the goals we feel called to accomplish.
E N D
FMCSFDiscernment Process update 11 december11
Recall/why are we doing this? • To allow, observe, and welcome the callingof the Spirit among us. • To respond creatively with a vision and building blocksthat accomplish the goals we feel called to accomplish. • To articulate a plan that guides our use of resources (talent, time, money) over the next several years in support of the initiatives that flow from this process.
Recall/how are we doing this? • Four phases sep - oct nov - dec jan - mar apr - jun prepare affirm design resource • Retreat • Education hours • Sermons • Values document • Education hours • Dinners • Spiritual Practices WG • Social Engagement WG • Retreat • Staff/Org WG • Space WG • Budget
Anticipate/the next six months Liberate our internal passions and intuitions in creative, fun ways Listendeeply and broadly to diverse external sources of inspiration Designconcrete initiatives in the areas of spiritual practices and social engagement
anticipate/design phase schedule jan - feb 24-26 feb mar 8 apr Retreat: Review and Prioritize Ideas Easter: Commission Initiatives, Launch Planning Working Groups Develop Ideas Working Groups Develop Initiatives
anticipate/working group activities dig read visit COMPONENTS OF NEW VISION pray listen
anticipate/working group activities dig: • What passions, talents, ideas, intuitions already exist or are beginning to surface among us? How can we be true to who we already are, what God has already brought together? Are there things people/groups within the congregation are dying to try/do?
anticipate/working group activities read: • What texts might inform us? What might we study together to understand future trends, local/global opportunities, examples of work that inspires us and points to what might be possible for us?
anticipate/working group activities listen: • With whom might we consult to flesh out what’s emerging among us? Whom might we invite to preach and/or facilitate an education hour? Can we hold Skype sessions/webinars with people in other parts of the country/world doing work that will contribute to our thinking?
anticipate/working group activities visit: • Are there congregations (Christian or otherwise), community agencies, schools, cultural institutions, research centers, neighborhoods, etc. we might visit to understand how various approaches to spiritual practices and/or social justice are being implemented?
anticipate/working group activities pray: • How might we buttress this time of exploration and design with prayer and reflection, so that we are continually allowing the spirit to shape and guide us? How can our Sunday worship, Tuesday evening prayer, possible contemplative day-long or weekend-long retreats support our communal prayer life? Could we engage in other practices that might help us enter into the presence of God and unleash our imagination (improv, movement, visual arts, musical experiences, etc.)?
anticipate/bringing it all together prepare affirm design resource Broadening out and bringing it back together through WG activities Integrating insights of two WGs – since spiritual practices and social engagement are not separated Points of convergence/recommendation