Congregational Life Centre
Our mission is to provice leaders with the
skills they need to lead.
Learning Circles
by telephone conference call
A
Learning Circle is an opportunity to do continuing education with a supportive
circle of clergy or lay colleagues. It is an opportunity to step back from
the day-to-day routine to reflect on what is involved in ministry for the
21st century.
The format was developed in the United States a number of years ago. The
United Church of Canada has made it one of their official Con Ed formats.
Here in the west where travel is a issue, we have developed a telephone
conference version - the Distance Learning Circle.
The initial research found a mix of leadership from different denominations
was most effective. As well as United Church we welcome colleagues from
Anglican and Presbyterian as well as other denominations to participate.
Our confernce call circles meet every month for around hour and a half.
They consist of a minimum of four and not more than seven people. Each call
includes time to deepen our spirituality, share how we are, and exchange
ideas around a discussion topic. Our job as facilitators is to coordinate
the formation of new circles, keep the conversation focused, and provide
e-mail notes and reminders between meetings.
Three Circles to Choose From
For the 2010-11 church year, we are offering three Distance Learning Circles:
Leadership Explorations will use a variety of leadership resources
as launching points for conversation. The first call will be 9 a.m. Tuesday
October 12. Fee is $90.
Leadership for Today will use our book of that title as its
jumping off point for the group discussions. The first call will be 9 a.m.
Wednesday October 13. Fee is $90 plus the cost of the book if you do not
have one already.
Designated Lay Ministry Support is an opportunity to gather
with other designated lay ministers from across the country to explore shared
challenges and experience. The first call will be 9 a.m. Thursday October
14. Fee is $ 60.
For more information, e-mail or phone us (clair@congregationallife.com or
780-619-0386).
Also see the United Church web site www.united-in-learning.com.
To Register - e-mail clair@congregationallife.com
or joyce@congregationallife.com.
Learning Circles
in a face-to-face setting
A small group of 6 - 10 people who are interested in a particular topic can design a meeting time and schedule that fits for them. In the five years the United Church has been a sponsor, Learning Circles have proven to hone leadership skills and build a sense of mutual support among participants.
Congregational Life Centre Staff (Joyce Madsen & Clair Woodbury) have been asked by the national United Church to be facilitators in the Alberta area. If you and one or two others are interested in becoming a Learning Circle, talk to us. We can help find others who would be interested in joining you. Though sponsored by the United Church, our circles are open to clergy of other denominations as well.
Will it work?
Previous participants had these comments regarding their experience:
• My listening skills have been honed.
• I am more attuned to my existing congregational leadership.
• I have been affirmed in my general stance with congregations.
• Having goals has been very helpful. I am integrating this with the ongoing life of my congregation through using some of the tools, seeking our vision and talking with folks.
• Learning is only one of the benefits; people in their groups value the sense of being part of a supportive peer group as highly as they value the education content of the sessions."
How do I apply?
Simply let us know that you are interested and we will connect you with the others in your area to explore being part of a Learning Circle.
Phone us at 780-619-0386, or send an e-mail to e-mail clair@congregationallife.com or joyce@congregationallife.com.