How you use the small group ministry sessions will determine the frequency of meeting. Small group ministry with adults usually meets once, and preferably at least twice, each month for one to two hours....

As with adult small ministry groups, before creating a small group for youth give thought to the size of the group, safety, confidentiality, and shared facilitation. In all of these areas, there are considerations specific to youth. Size of the group. Because of the importance of keeping groups...

Our first task in approaching another people, another culture is to take off our shoes, for the place we are approaching is holy. Else we find ourselves treading on another's dream. More serious still, we may forget that God was there before our arrival. — Max Warren (1904-1977) General Secretary...

Inviting youth to participate in small group ministry is a good fit for several reasons: Youth frequently do not want a formal curriculum, yet need, and want, more than just "hang out" time. Small group ministry provides a format with a light structure and a great deal of latitude. The sessions...

Small group ministry is intentional, lay-led small groups that deepen and expand the ministry of a congregation. Two key focuses are intimacy, or building community and deepening relationships, and ultimacy, or the opportunity for deeper spiritual exploration and search for meaning. Small group...

Small group ministry can be a way to help individuals build relationships, experience a greater sense of belonging, and feel supported in their spiritual journey in the congregation.

Peter Freeman Bowden, "http://www.smallgroupministry.net/members/Toward_a_True_Lifespan_Minist… a True Lifespan Ministry: Why we lose them" (Small Group Ministry Network Quarterly, Fall 2004) Center for Community Values, "http://www.smallgroupministry.net/members/S001_Developing_Roadmap_to_Co… a...

Please complete the evaluation form and return it to a workshop leader. My favorite part of Exploring Our Values through Poetry was ... My least favorite part of Exploring Our Values through Poetry was ... I wish we had more time to ... Something that would have made this program better is ......

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Exploring Our Values through Poetry Evaluation Pens Journals Preparation for Activity Photocopy Handout 1, Exploring Our Values through Poetry Evaluation, one for each participant....

Activity time: 40 minutes Materials for Activity Journals Pens or pencils Blank thank-you cards Postage stamps (optional) Preparation for Activity To add a celebratory note to this final meeting, consider having refreshments. Program leaders can either provide them or ask families in advance to...

Two books that might be useful to youth who decide to write poetry as a spiritual practice: Goldberg, Natalie. Writing Down the Bones. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1986. McDowell, Robert. Poetry as Spiritual Practice. New York: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 2008.

Find time to celebrate with your co-leaders and reflect upon the entire program experience. The information from the evaluations should help you. The religious educator in your congregation might appreciate your comments on how the semester progressed.

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice Description of Activity Gather around the chalice. Ask the group to focus on the words "exploring Our Values through poetry." Invite participants to speak freely into the space a word or two that they associate with the words "exploring our...

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Thank-you notes and pens Optional: Postage stamps Description of Activity Discuss the youths' experiences of creating and performing a choral reading. Use these questions: What was this experience like? How did the use of poem fragments destroy,...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and matches Description of Activity Use the Opening designed by your group or the one provided below. Gather around the chalice. As a volunteer lights the chalice, ask the group to focus on the word "closure." Invite participants to speak...

This workshop will ask participants to reflect upon their experiences during the Poetry Slam performance and the program as a whole. Take time before the workshop to reflect upon your own experience....

ACTIVITY MINUTES Opening 5 Activity 1: Poetry Slam Review 40 Activity 2: Evaluations 10 Faith in Action: Choral Reading Review 20 Closing 5...

A poem is never finished, only abandoned. — Paul Valery, French critic and poet This workshop provides the opportunity for review and reflection. Feel free to add an element of celebration to this final workshop by bringing food and drink or sharing photographs or a videotape of the Poetry Slam.

Activity time: 50 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of poems to be read Microphones and sound system Printed program of readers Optional: Other audio-visual equipment and props as needed Description of Activity Perform the Poetry Slam. Including All Participants Remind participants to use the...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and matches Microphones and sound system Preparation for Activity Make sure microphones are live. Description of Activity Participants receive guidance before the Poetry Slam to help them gather their energies for the event, focus on their...