<html>
<body>
Thus wrote the insightful Lisa...
<dl>
<dd><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>So: design it, prepare for it, and
facilitate just the way you would any organization, and as with any
organization, use the inspiration and ideas of the organization’s
planning team to see if weaving in bits of code and culture (such as
song, prayer, lighting candles, or breath work) helps to invite and frame
the Open Space for that community. Let me clarify – don’t feel that
extra warm-up or intro things are necessary for the Open Space to work –
it will work if it’s been chosen as the right tool for the job and is
thoughtfully prepared for. What I’m saying is if the culture
traditionally frames its work and coming together as community in a way
that involves ritual, you may wish to design in time for ritual in the
open or close of your day(s).
<dd>I agree entirely with this summary counsel - it has worked with the
many faith-based groups I have had the privilege to journey with - the
process of co-designing the program with the sponsors enables the culture
of the community to be fully integrated within the gathering in a way
that enriches the OS segment.</font> <br><br>
</dl>In five-day congregational chapters I have facilitated, DAY ONE
began with gathering ritual prayer/silent time, perhaps honoring the
founder or a particular event in the life of the community (like the
recent 'canonisation' of OS!) and moving into a day of 'storytelling' to
enable folks who may not have seen each other for the past two-four
years, to reconnect and engage in community - often based on scriptural
stories such as the Emmaus journey, combined with an Appreciative Inquiry
flow that evoked the central themes of significant events and sacred
moments during the past year(s)....commencing in pairs, flowing into
foursomes where partners recounted each others stories (the power of
telling your story in depth to one attentive listener and then hearing
your story being told to others is very potent in community bonding) and
culminating in a collective sharing of the significant stories from the
small groups - leading to a ritual celebrating of all that has been
life-giving and 'holy' in the lives of this community since last they
gathered together...a naming of the personal and collective journey to
here...<br><br>
This prepares the way for the opening of space on DAY TWO which has
typically gone for 2.5 days - creating an intentional discussion and
discernment around where we are called to go next....with convergence and
action planning as part of the OS process on the morning of DAY FOUR of
the gathering.<br><br>
Then some 'free space' - with some groups there have been periods of
'noble silence' in the evenings after dinner and also on the
afternoon/evening of DAY FOUR (some even going through in silence until
breakfast of DAY FIVE) - this gives space to breathe in deeply the fruits
and challenges of the rich conversations that have taken place and to
discern more fully the movements of spirit within the individual and the
community - leaving the final day for congregational business,
canononical requirements and ratification of the action plans prepared in
the OS - great closure where this happens - the actions going forward to
the decision-making body on the spot! So that closure of the
Assembly comes with a real sense of completion of the cycle so meaningful
within the Christian metaphor - reflection on our journey to here, enter
the often painful unknowing of what are we to be about now - the
chaos/confusionof 'hanging' on the cross betwixt and between the past and
the future - followed by new life as the letting go of old ways takes
shape in dreams and concrete expressions of hope for how the future will
unfold....<br><br>
I've heard it said by some sponsors during planning for the Assembly that
the final day is insufficient to get through all their 'business' that
normally takes up most of the Assembly time (four days) - and they are
anxious about that part as they only meet together every four years and
need to make decisions - and surprise, surprise - they rattle through the
decisions like a spoon through honey once all the conversations have
taken place in OS - they really feel so pleased with themselves....its
wonderful to behold!<br><br>
And all of the above interspersed with culturally-appropriate ritual,
prayers, singing, dancing and whatever...<br>
Incidentally, I've also noticed a lot of more earthy spirit being
consumed in the course of some of these assemblies....hic!<br><br>
Hope this is useful<br><br>
Cheers<br>
Brendan<br><br>
<font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#808080"><i>Pace E Bene
Nonviolence Service<br>
Australian Associate<br>
</i>Ph/fax +61 8 9244 8090<br>
Mob<x-tab> </x-tab>
042 944 8090<br>
Web<x-tab> </x-tab>
<a href="http://www.paceebene.org/" eudora="autourl">www.paceebene.org</a>
<br>
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#800000"><i>We must be the
change we wish to see in the world<br>
</font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#808080"><x-tab>
</x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab></font>
<font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2 color="#800000">Mahatma
Gandhi</i></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" color="#800000"> <br>
</font></body>
</html>
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist