This is a summary of the 5 steps for Lacuna in meetings. You may wish to download the document here to distribute to each member.
- Getting ready
Encourage people to prayerfully prepare for a meeting.
- Coming together
People often need help to make the shift from the busyness of the day into the discernment space. Create a peaceful and beautiful environment in which to meet.
Place the Lacuna bowl in the centre of the meeting space and invite people to become still and make space for listening for God.
Foster a sense of community among the group. Create space for getting to know each other and sharing stories.
Begin the meeting with worship. Reflect together on a Scripture passage and consider how it addresses the story of the congregation, or ask what light it throws on the business of the meeting.
- Working together
Prayer and business can be woven together so that devotions do not just become a bookend at the beginning and end of meetings.
- Discerning together
Discernment is the "real work" of the meeting, which requires trust, time and listening. Discussing, listening and deciding go hand in hand.
- Giving to God
As you conclude, invite someone to offer a prayer that gathers up what has been discussed and decided and sends people out with a blessing. Bless individuals who have tasks arising from the meeting.
Source: this material is adapted by Joan Wright Howie with permission from Ann Siddall's "Discernment in meetings and decision-making", copyright Uniting Church in Australia Synod of South Australia.
|
