Congregational Life - Theme-based Ministry
Below please find a sampling of Theme-Based Ministry "Visual Prayers" I created, which were shared via Facebook and with my congregation as part of the monthly Theme-Based Ministry Resource flyers and as part of some worship service meditations.
To see the entire collection of monthly flyers and Visual Prayers, as well as reflections on the process of engaging with Theme- Based Ministry, go to: http://revsteffithemes.weebly.com/.
I introduced "Theme Based Ministry" to my congregation (http://uuscv.org) in 2011, using the model provided by the Tulsa All Souls UU Church (see: http://themebasedministry.org).
(Slideshow)
The intention was to experiment with congregational focus on one pre-selected theme for ten months out of the church year, for three years. To kickstart each month, I published a resource flyer to which members were encouraged to contribute; the theme was intentionally woven into each worship service; and a list of recommended books was provided to the congregation's Book Club. All teams and committees were encouraged to bring the theme into their gatherings, and individuals were invited to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas for further development of the themes.
Some concerns were raised as this idea was introduced. There was a fear that it would feel too "constricting" and that themes ranged from "too emotionally loaded" to "irrelevant". Some people were concerned that it would be too challenging, asking too much of them. There were many opportunities for pastoral care, particularly in the first year.
By year two some of the benefits were being noticed, and folks were more willing to engage openly with the themes. Individuals reported a level of meaning-making that they had not anticipated, as well as relationship-building. The Teen Group started up its own monthly resource flyer. Monthly "Sharing Circles" were introduced to provide opportunities for supportive, structured conversation on the monthly theme.
Around the same time I began the spiritual practice of creating daily "Visual Prayers": original photographs inspired by the theme, that were posted to FaceBook and the church website, incorporated into the monthly Theme-Based Ministry resource flyers and into worship services.
We're now entering the third year, towards the end of which the congregation will be asked to assess its experience of Theme Based MInistry and consider whether to repeat the cycle, engage with a new model, or create its own. Already there are enthusiastic testimonials on behalf of this program, as well as ideas on how to develop it further. Shared ministry is a marvelous thing!
To see the entire collection of monthly flyers and Visual Prayers, as well as reflections on the process of engaging with Theme- Based Ministry, go to: http://revsteffithemes.weebly.com/.
I introduced "Theme Based Ministry" to my congregation (http://uuscv.org) in 2011, using the model provided by the Tulsa All Souls UU Church (see: http://themebasedministry.org).
(Slideshow)
The intention was to experiment with congregational focus on one pre-selected theme for ten months out of the church year, for three years. To kickstart each month, I published a resource flyer to which members were encouraged to contribute; the theme was intentionally woven into each worship service; and a list of recommended books was provided to the congregation's Book Club. All teams and committees were encouraged to bring the theme into their gatherings, and individuals were invited to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas for further development of the themes.
Some concerns were raised as this idea was introduced. There was a fear that it would feel too "constricting" and that themes ranged from "too emotionally loaded" to "irrelevant". Some people were concerned that it would be too challenging, asking too much of them. There were many opportunities for pastoral care, particularly in the first year.
By year two some of the benefits were being noticed, and folks were more willing to engage openly with the themes. Individuals reported a level of meaning-making that they had not anticipated, as well as relationship-building. The Teen Group started up its own monthly resource flyer. Monthly "Sharing Circles" were introduced to provide opportunities for supportive, structured conversation on the monthly theme.
Around the same time I began the spiritual practice of creating daily "Visual Prayers": original photographs inspired by the theme, that were posted to FaceBook and the church website, incorporated into the monthly Theme-Based Ministry resource flyers and into worship services.
We're now entering the third year, towards the end of which the congregation will be asked to assess its experience of Theme Based MInistry and consider whether to repeat the cycle, engage with a new model, or create its own. Already there are enthusiastic testimonials on behalf of this program, as well as ideas on how to develop it further. Shared ministry is a marvelous thing!