SCC Meeting Format

I. GATHERING, RELAXING, SETTLING IN (10 min)

• Opening Song { SUGGESTIONS: Some large compilations to get you started... "Table of Plenty", John Michael Talbot; "Blest Are They", Best of David Haas; "You Are Mine", Best of David Haas; "The John Michael Talbot Collection A Library of 35" }

• Opening Prayer {SUGGESTIONS: "Quest"; "Guerrillas of Grace"; Ted Loder, Luramedia 7060 Miramar Rd. Suite 104, SanDiego, Cal.; "Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim", Edward Hays, Forest of Peace Pub. PO Box 269; Leavenworth, Ks; "Psalms for Zero Gravity"; Edward Hays, Forest of Peace Pub. PO Box 269; Leavenworth, Ks ; * The Joyce Rupp books listed under "Shared Prayer" also contain short prayers for openings & closings }

Opening Prayer {SUGGESTIONS: "Quest"; "Guerrillas of Grace"; Ted Loder, Luramedia 7060 Miramar Rd. Suite 104, SanDiego, Cal.; "Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim", Edward Hays, Forest of Peace Pub. PO Box 269; Leavenworth, Ks; "Psalms for Zero Gravity"; Edward Hays, Forest of Peace Pub. PO Box 269; Leavenworth, Ks ; * The Joyce Rupp books listed under "Shared Prayer" also contain short prayers for openings & closings }

II. REVIEW OF LIFE (10 minutes) Always the same. Always done in pairs.

Review of Life (choose 1 question that speaks to you. If after your partner’s turn there is time, share on a second question)

PRAYER/REFLECTION

1. Have I been able to find time each day for some prayer and reflection? If not, what are the barriers?

2. Name an experience of the Lord—or of his absence—in these last two weeks. What did I hear?

3. What do I need most to persevere?

ACTION/REIGN OF GOD

4. What challenges am I experiencing in carrying my prayer/reflection into my family, work, society?

5. How is my attitude changing toward the most forgotten people in our society? What am I doing about them?

CHURCH

6. In what ways am I growing closer to the church, the Body of Christ?

RESOLUTION

7. For the next two weeks, what will be my one, clear-cut and simple plan or resolve? Whom will I ask to pray for me in this regard?

III. LIFE/ FAITH CONNECTION (50 to 70 minutes)

• Gospel Reading for the following Sunday.

• Quiet reflective time to sit with reading.

• Short Commentary on the Gospel.

• Faith Sharing on 3-4 questions in groups of three to four people. (20 min) Questions should speak to the heart not the head.

• Large Group Sharing- What insights, truths, thoughts did I come to during this time together? (Speaking only to one (Speaking only to one (Speaking only to one (Speaking only to one's own experience and not to what another said in the small group of three to four)

What difference will this make when I go home to my family, my work place, the neighborhood, the way I relate to the poor, the way I vote?

{SUGGESTIONS: Commentary on the Gospel/ Faith Sharing Questions

1."Quest", an attractive participant booklet with commentaries and questions based on the Sunday readings, suggestions for individual action response after the meeting also includes opening & closing prayers Published three times a year.,The Pastoral Department for Small Christian Communities, Archdiocese of Hartford, 467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield, CT 06002. (860) 243-9642.

2."Faith Sharing for Small Church Communities: Questions and Commentaries on the Sunday Readings", composed by 7,500 people in Small Church Communities from six continents, with suggestions for the format of the meeting. Cycles A, B and C in one book. St. Anthony Messenger Press.

3. "Bringing the Word to Life"; Michael R. Kent; Twenty-Third Publications; PO Box 180, Mystic, Ct; 1-800-321-0411.

4. PRAYERTIME, Cycle C: Faith-Sharing Reflections on the Sunday Gospels, Renew International, 1232 George St., Plainfield, NJ,(908) 769-5400; http://www.renewintl.org/Resources/Pages/WhatNew.htm#prod149 .

5. "Catechumen’s Lectionary" Robert Hamma;Paulist Press, 997 Macarthur Blvd.,Mahwah, NJ.

6. Faith Sharing Questions: All the Called to Be Church questions used in the narthex and printed in the bulletin can be found at: º Ministries º Pastoral Facilitators of SCCS The exact address is...
http://www.goodshepherdonline.com/pastoralfacilitator/pastoral facilitators2.htm

}

IV. SHARED PRAYER (15 to 25 minutes)

• Many different forms from the long Tradition are possible. See Praying Alone and Together for more ideas.

• This time may also be used for study.

{SUGGESTIONS:

"Out of the Ordinary"; Joyce Rupp; Ave Maria Press,PO Box 428, Notre Dame, In

"Fresh Bread"; Joyce Rupp; Ave Maria Press,PO Box 428, Notre Dame, In

"Quiet Places with Mary" Rev. Isaias Powers, C.P.; Twenty-Third Publications; PO Box 180, Mystic, Ct; 1-800-321-0411

"Letters from an Understanding Friend" ;Rev. Isaias Powers, C.P.;Twenty-Third Pub; PO Box 180, Mystic, Ct; 1-800-321-0411

"Quiet Places with Jesus"; Rev. Isaias Powers, C.P.; Twenty-Third Pub; PO Box 180, Mystic, Ct; 1-800-321-0411

"Sharing Prayer; Simple Formats for Sm.Gr." ;Mary Sue Taylor; St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1615 Republic St.,Cincinnati,OH "Praying with the Saints" Series St. Mary’s Press; Christian Brothers Publications, Minona, Minn $6.95ea

"Take & Receive" Series ; J.S. Bergan & S. Marie Schwan; St. Mary’s Press, 702 Terrance Heights, Winona, Mn.

"Heart-Talks with Jesus", ;Rev. Isaias Powers, C.P.;Twenty-Third Pub; PO Box 180, Mystic, Ct; 1-800-321-0411

"The Cup of Life"; Joyce Rupp; Ave Maria Press,PO Box 428, Notre Dame, In

"May I Have This Dance?"; Joyce Rupp; Ave Maria Press,PO Box 428, Notre Dame, In }

VI. EVALUATION OF THE MEETING (10 minutes)

• This often happens informally by way of conversation. But every so often you should use a written evaluation to help stay focused. (Pg 106)

VII. BUSINESS

• When & where will we meet next? (It may be helpful to plan a months meetings at a time so people keep the time open.)

• Do we want to do something together to celebrate a liturgical season?

• Is there a service/need we may want to get involved in?

• Is there news from the PF meeting that needs to be passed on?

VII. CLOSING PRAYER {SEE OPENING PRAYER}

VIII. REFRESHMENTS AND SOCIAL

The suggestions in black are just a small sampling of the resources available. They are offered to help get you started.

Page numbers are references to pages in the book Creating Small Church Communities Third Edition by Father Arthur R. Baranowski.