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New ministry program unveiled at Fall Gathering

The sixty-four sisters and affiliates who participated in the 2004 Fall Gathering Oct. 15–16 were a select group. They were the first to experience the new Ministry Renewal Series created by the affiliation ministry subcommittee.

According to Marci Madary, affiliation co-minister, the series is a four-part program which explores the concept of ministry from various perspectives. The goal of the committee was to develop a program that could refresh affiliates in their current ministry or stretch them to embark on new ministries.

The ministry subcommittee includes George and Carol Merick, Karen Hellman, Marci, and Sisters Eileen McKenzie and Karen Neuser.

For each part of the series, a day-long session was held to explore ideas. Each session included a featured speaker, discussion and homework as well as reading and reflecting. All sessions were videotaped.

In addition, over the summer participants of the pilot program did some kind of intentional ministry, either individually or in small groups.

As part of the ministry pilot program, a group of affiliates and Sister Karen Neuser painted at Place of Grace during the summer. Back row, John Hempstead. Front row, Sister Karen Neuser, George Meirick and Joe Lueck.

The pilot participants included Mary Bissen, Mary Calkins, Linda Kerrigan, Janet Stuhldreher, Joe Leuck, John Hempstead, Wendie Libert and Vicky Freybler.

Marci notes that at the outset they did not know what the final product would be. Consideration was given to holding a retreat, but in the end the subcommittee opted to develop programming that could be used as part of a regular companion community meeting.

The best of each of the four-day sessions was condensed to roughly a two-hour session and recorded on a DVD for distribution.

The Fall Gathering began with a report from Sister Karen explaining the pilot project process. Then the affiliates who were part of the pilot convened a panel discussion to share their experiences.

To round out the gathering, all took part in the first session of the new series, led by the subcomittee. Each affiliate left with a packet of materials for their companion community. The packets included the DVD and written materials to support the programming.

The day concluded with a covenant affiliation ceremony. Three new affiliates were commissioned, and two affiliates renewed their commitments.

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