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Faith Development Group

Agenda, 11 Dec 2013

1. Sharing by Colin
2. Update on Christmas activities ( Belinda/Alison?)
3. Focus for January
   • How can we provide opportunities for people to develop their faith and answer their questions?
   • Use of booklets, reading material, notice board, write ups on books we read, ...
   • Making available Evangelistic books/booklets for members of the church to use in the different programmes in church for all age groups
   • How to encourage reading through the Bible ...
4. Any other business

   • John Bodycomb's book, No Fixed Address - faith as journey

     • A possible study book? A challenge for more 'WOMP'? Seeking out those who eschew dogma and doctrine ...

Notes

Present: ColinKing, RohanWickramaratne, SharminiWickramaratne, HerbFleming, JohnDeRavin, MarkEaston, AlisonClarkson, BelindaClear, JitTan, JohnHurst

Apologies: MiriniLang, HelenStewart, AlaneeHearnshaw

1. Colin started with a joke about an Irishman giving directions for going to Kilkenny. What is the path we wish to take? Alice in Wonderland and the Cheshire Cat. The story of the Road to Emmaeus, from Roland Crouch's book "Still waters, deep waters", and a meditation from same.

2. Members: has DeanMann left? BronwynLowe has.

3. Christmas activities: ChristmasAlight2013 plans well under way. Training session next Sunday. Carols in the Village next Friday at Mount Waverley.

4. Talked about notice boards, and the plans of CommunicationsCommittee to use the foyer display. Faith is intangible, how do we create the tangible hooks to it? Suggestions: talking heads, videos, (short) book reviews, what faith means to me (various and many people). Getting people to talk about their faith - suggestion: everyday miracles from 5 people each week/month in services, "spot on flock" idea from 9 O'Clock Flock days, conversation starters on each morning tea table on a sunday (needs a leader per table), set aside a "faith sunday" once a month (where we might tackle these ideas), need a list of what we might do each month (and a cheer leader for each), how do we build these ideas into the Church's Strategic Plan? Looking at older members, need to focus on starting point of fellowship (cup of tea!) and sharing spirituality. Emphasize flexibility. Emphasize that doubts are OK. There are no right answers when it comes to questions of faith! Where are the young people? They are in different places, not necessarily outside the church (e.g., Alanee's group on Monday nights) Very few people now take the Bible literally. The question we should be asking is "What does my faith mean to me?"

   • Suggested programme:

     1. Sometime in January, JohnHurst talks about Bodycomb's book (seque to "miracles")

     2. We all search for 5 people to ask them for their "everyday miracles", and collect

5. Next meeting: Wed 12 Feb 2014 at JohnDeRavin's place

JohnHurst

CategoryFaith