YEAR TWO
This was the first year to include "Visual Prayers" - photographs I took and matched with words relating to the theme!
In terms of setting up Theme Based ministry, I recommend promoting the program and the themes well in advance, as "an experiment".
With advance notice, some people might be inspired to think of books or films or activities that tie into upcoming themes. Religious exploration curricula for children and teens could be adapted or tied in. Poets and artists might be inspired to create something that could be shared during a Sunday service, or published in the newsletter. Sunday speakers could be asked to craft worship services around the theme (or to tie into it somehow). Musicians might be inspired to write songs. Children and teens might have a thing or two to say about the subject and how to work with it.
And, pastoral care can be extended to those anticipating or experiencing strong reactions to the themes. (Believe me, it happens!)
In my own congregation, I initially committed to creating a monthly Theme Based Ministry Resource flyer, hoping that someone would want to step up and take that on after a while. I also experimented with monthly "Sharing Circles".
The flyers included an original reflection and original artwork, quotes on the theme, related journal questions and resources, a space in which to doodle, as well as a standard description of Them Based Ministry and which topic would be explored the following month. The Sharing Circles allowed attendees to share their thoughts and feelings, and hear different perspectives.
One of the things I learned in this process was to schedule Sharing Circles for later in the month - so folks have more time to engage with the topic before gathering. Another lesson learned was to not count on contributions to the monthly flyer - because it's "disorienting to have to think about next month's theme while we're in this one".
Resourcefulness and flexibility were essential!
This was the first year to include "Visual Prayers" - photographs I took and matched with words relating to the theme!
In terms of setting up Theme Based ministry, I recommend promoting the program and the themes well in advance, as "an experiment".
With advance notice, some people might be inspired to think of books or films or activities that tie into upcoming themes. Religious exploration curricula for children and teens could be adapted or tied in. Poets and artists might be inspired to create something that could be shared during a Sunday service, or published in the newsletter. Sunday speakers could be asked to craft worship services around the theme (or to tie into it somehow). Musicians might be inspired to write songs. Children and teens might have a thing or two to say about the subject and how to work with it.
And, pastoral care can be extended to those anticipating or experiencing strong reactions to the themes. (Believe me, it happens!)
In my own congregation, I initially committed to creating a monthly Theme Based Ministry Resource flyer, hoping that someone would want to step up and take that on after a while. I also experimented with monthly "Sharing Circles".
The flyers included an original reflection and original artwork, quotes on the theme, related journal questions and resources, a space in which to doodle, as well as a standard description of Them Based Ministry and which topic would be explored the following month. The Sharing Circles allowed attendees to share their thoughts and feelings, and hear different perspectives.
One of the things I learned in this process was to schedule Sharing Circles for later in the month - so folks have more time to engage with the topic before gathering. Another lesson learned was to not count on contributions to the monthly flyer - because it's "disorienting to have to think about next month's theme while we're in this one".
Resourcefulness and flexibility were essential!