Today we hear from the Rev. Susan Cleveley, who directs the College for Congregational Development in the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane and is one of the trainers in our own College. Susan created a design for a large-group activity that helps congregations proclaim and celebrate their history and heritage. This is a great tool that can be used for many reasons, but is especially useful during a transition time, when a congregation is preparing to publish a Profile in anticipation of calling a new priest. Thanks Susan!
Telling Our Story in Four Chapters
Who:
- Good for large groups, even 100+
Why:
- To help groups collect and visualize the components of their history in order to discover, recognize, and appreciate what got them to where they are today. They can then see how their moments have shaped their organization and choose whether the past will be a guiding light, or suggest course corrections for their future. Additionally, it is a great way to familiarize new people with an organization’s history and culture.
What:
Materials:
- 5 large sheets of newsprint/ small group, markers, tape, wall space
Time:
- Minimum 1 hour for the creation of the first 4-chapters + time to “read” and share the stories
- Minimum 20 minutes for creation of “the Next Chapter”—Chapter 5
How:
- Divide into smaller groups of 4-5 people
- Give each small group 4-sheets of newsprint and markers
- Every small group will “write” in any way they want to—with words, pictures, etc.—four “chapters” outlining their organization’s story
Chapter Titles:
- Chapter 1: Our Beginning
- Chapter 2: The Glory Days
- Chapter 3: The Troubles
- Chapter 4: Who We Are Today
After “writing” their chapters, each small group, depending upon the overall size of the group, will “tell” their story. If the large group is too big to hear all of the stories, share several. Regardless of large group size, following the story telling, post all stories on the wall and allow time for a gallery walk.
Rules for Listening:
- No correcting, arguing with the facts/ details of their story during or after each reading
- Everyone is to hold an appreciative stance throughout the exercise
It’s best if you can do the wait to write Chapter 5: The Next Chapter the next day. If you don’t have that kind of time available, have participants do another activity or take a break before then come back to their small groups for the next round.
Re-assemble the small groups and give each group 1-sheet of newsprint and have each group “write” Chapter 5: Our Next Chapter. Again share the chapter with the larger group, post on the wall, and allow time for public viewing.
—Susan Cleveley