Congregational Life Centre
Our mission is to help leaders acquire the skills and attitudes they need to lead
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. Our current circle is exploring the topic "Leadership Explorations" in a series of 8 sessions spread over 8 months. Though sponsored by the United Church, our circles are open to clergy of other denominations as well.
Does 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."
For more information:
Phone us at 780-619-0386, or send an e-mail to e-mail clair@congregationallife.com or joyce@congregationallife.com.
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.