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News
Parishes & Ministries
About Us
Huron Church House
190 Queens Ave.
London, ON
N6A 6H7
Tel: (519) 434-6893 or
toll free in Ontario at
1-800-919-1115
Fax (519) 673-4151
Email: huron@huron.anglican.ca
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Session 1: Introduction to Fresh Start for Congregations
Morning
Following an activity where members of the group will
get to know one another and share some information
about their history with the church, an overview of the
Fresh Start program is given and there is discussion
on the meaning, the value and the power of a time of
transition. The product of Fresh Start is developing
relationships which enable change and growth.
Afternoon- Exit and Entrance: Patterns, Emotions and the Wilderness
In smaller groups, members consider the
characteristics of good exits and entrances in their
own lives and in the church. Jesus’ baptism is used
as a scriptural lens to consider transitions. Practical
ideas to help congregations plan their “good-byes”
and “hellos” are discussed. Members also begin to
recognize the normal range of emotions they and their
congregations will experience during the period of
transition.
Session 2: History Taking and Understanding its Impact
Morning
Working in church groupings this session helps lay
leaders understand that congregations and their new
clergy are entering into each other’s lives and that
they bring histories that affect who they are and how
they behave. A segment of the “Vicar of Dibley” TV
series is used as a springboard for discussion on the
importance of understanding various views of a
church’s history. A framework for organizing a
congregational exercise to “Learn From Our History”
is provided.
Afternoon - Goal Setting for Effective Ministry: Hearing God’s Call
Remembering that transition is the perfect time for lay
and clergy leaders to begin to plan together, this
session asks members to consider the presence of
Christ in their individual and congregational lives in
the past and in the present. Discussion of where
Christ is leading their church, consideration of current
goals and ways to set new goals gives lay leaders
some tools to take back to their parish.
Session 3 Conflict Management
Morning
The morning begins with a presentation of information
on church size especially noting how the size of a
congregation will influence what conflicts look like.
Role-play of a congregational situation helps
participants to recognize the escalating levels of
conflict. This experience and discussion will help lay
leaders to better handle disputes in their own
congregations.
Afternoon
Decision Making A story about a family’s trip on a hot Sunday
afternoon begins the session. Members then analyze
how to avoid the problems that occurred in the story.
Information on a structured approach to making
sound decisions is presented. Congregational groups
then work through the process using a real situation
from their own parish.
Session 4: Mutual Support
Morning
After completing a stress survey upon arrival,
information about understanding stress and burnout is
presented. This provides background knowledge for
listening to and discussing a story told by American
humourist Garrison Keillor. Insight into clergy and lay
leaders’ needs for spiritual care and support lead to a
congregational task of thanking those involved in
transition.
Afternoon - Clarifying Roles
Participants are asked to consider roles,
responsibilities and expectations from their own and
from a new clergy person’s perspective. Examples of
renegotiating roles and being able to find Christ in
everyone are discussed so that lay leaders feel more
prepared to guide their congregations through normal,
yet difficult situations.
Session 5: Power
Morning
Understanding that power and influence can be
positive as well as negative sets the stage for
listening to and discussing a story from the book “My
First Church” by Elmer Towns. Lay leaders are
helped to develop a sense of who has power in their
congregations and how to work collaboratively to get
things done.
Afternoon - Models of Leadership and Authority
As lay leaders within their parish, participants
consider Jesus’ leadership style as well as general
characteristics of leadership. A segment of the “Vicar
of Dibley “TV series provides examples to promote
discussion. Growing self-awareness of their abilities
reinforces and helps to develop participants’
leadership skills.
Session 6: Listening Skills
Morning
Being a good listener is a requirement for leaders
within a congregation. Discussion of the “How’s” and
“Why’s” of good listening is related to Christian
listening. Pitfalls of listening are identified before
participants are asked to participate in a listening
activity. Self-reflection on personal listening skills
follows.
Afternoon - Mutual Ministry
Recognizing that ministry belongs to all the people of
God and not just one person, this session presents
general information on the normal cycle of ministry,
which includes reviewing ministry as well as planning,
and doing it.
Joint Session
Morning: Meeting with the Bishop
This Fresh Start session which is held every second
year includes clergy and congregational Fresh Start
groups and provides a structure for all Fresh Start
participants to meet with the bishop in open
discussion. Some topics for discussion include the
authority of the bishop’s office, the chain of
communication, the bishop’s views on transition and
parish visits.
Afternoon - Parish Council Retreats
Lay and clergy participants meet together as
congregational groups to consider and plan a future
parish council retreat. Key factors to take into
account in planning are discussed and models of
retreats are given to groups for their use.
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