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Australia Speaking Tour 2007
Jul. 26th, 2007
06:11 am - Final Conference in Perth
G'Day Mates,
I gave my final conference today in Perth! I began yesterday with a 2 hour conversation with 15 leaders in Children's Ministries in Perth. Then at 6pm that same day, I led a shortened version of the full day conference. Then today I led an all day conference with 24 people. The number of participants is important to now go over 30 people. That way I could make connections with each person there and feel like we've gone beyond, "Hello my name is" to a deeper connection. Each table grouping, intentionally mixing up people who come from the same church so people can talk to new people and further connecting children's ministries in the Uniting Church, became itself a community. Stories and responses to Scripture and quotes were shared in the table setting so that they would know their tablemates in a deeper way. Groups of 4-5 are as large as small groups should be in order for everyone to have a turn to speak and to have responses from others as stories are shared.
A bit tired tonight. My host couple, the man who is the key point person on the Perth, Western Australia event, had a serious injury on a finger as he was trying to role the trailer that holds all the equipment for the conference. Stitches for sure, maybe broken.
Another long flight tomorrow. Perth all the way east to Sydney. An overnight in Sydney, than an early morning flight to Auckland, New Zealand for a much need vacation.
I'll post more photos and stories when I've got more energy. Will try to do this tomorow depending on flight times.
I hope you are enjoying reading the blog. Sometimes I rattle on and sometimes I rattle on with nothing to say at all - like tonight!
Cheryl
Jul. 19th, 2007
06:13 am - Canberra Australia
The one-day conference included the theological and Christian educational foundation of the Hospitable Pedagogy approach to teaching and learning. We had a bit of fun with the reader's theatre style of Encountering the story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand.
ENCOUNTER THE STORY: Using readers' theater style from John 6:1-15 for the Feeding of the 5,000 story. Using head pieces is an easy way to get into the swing of Bible people.
ENGAGE THE STORY: Then the participants chose from a variety of learning experiences before we even began the storyboard art response.
They were invited to choose from:
Writing a letter to Jesus from the perspective of the child
Reflecting on poetry written by persons who are homeless in the issue called, "Big Issue"
Reflecting on the musical pieces entitled, "Come to the Feast" by Christopher Grunday and the piece "Calling all the Children Home, " by John McCutheon
Writing a prayer for children all around the world
Reading about the ministry of the Church World Service and discussing this with a partner
Reading about the debt relief of developing countries and discussing this with a partner
Reflecting on the four pages of quotes from authors and Scripture related to the theme of the Daily Table and the Lord's Supper
Writing prayers for children. Any prayers that were left in the circle I pick up and pray the prayers the next morning.
RESPOND TO THE STORY: As the group began their storyboard art response, some sat and reflected on what their creative process would be; or going to the "tactile table" and touching, imagining what might be exciting to include on the storyboard.
The ending of the storyboard experience is most importantly to tell to another person the story about the storyboard! The stories were all different and very meaningful to each creative artist!
Peace,
Rev. Cheri
Kippax Uniting Church in Canberra
Helping put on the headpiece always livened up the group!
Many hands already into the creative touch of the materials.
Jul. 13th, 2007
05:41 pm - Sydney Leg of Trip
Sydeney has the weather of Chicago - wait 10 minutes, or 1 day and it will change! We've had sunny days and cold overcast as well.
I've been working with a group of 32 Chrisian educators, mostly volunteers in small churches. Our days are so full in exeriences together, in the participants making connections and sharing - really the most important part of coming to a conference - and in experiencing Christian hospitality as we go through the day learning and living the Hospitable Pedagogy approach called "Ch.E.E.R.S." The art work on the storyboards is so different from any other culture I've visited and even from one another. The most important part of the experience is to hear the story of each person's connecting of the meal story of the Feeding of the 5000 as it connects with his/her own experiences.
The participants in Sydney are from the Australian coastal area and from Tongans residing in the area. The Tongan congregations are part of the Uniting Church in Australia. The participants at Sydney are from Auburn, New South Wales, with about 10 parishes in that area. In the near by Sydney suburb Dee Why there is one congregation in Deey Why and one in Beacon Hill. Tonga is an island northeast of the Australian continent near the Fiji Island. Americans - get out a map!
I'm taking a flight tonight to Brisbane for the next leg of teaching. The second day in Sydney consisted of many people staying over for the second day. More about what I do and what we do together on the second day of a two-day stay coming up in upcoming blogs.
Grace and peace,
Cheryl
Getting started on the creative process:
A finished storyboard:
Jun. 21st, 2007
02:16 pm - Follow My Itinerary
Sydney: Fri 13 & Sat 14 July
Brisbane: Sun 15 & Mon16 July
Canberra: Wed 18 & Thur 19 July
Melbourne: Fri 20 & Sat 21 July
Shepparton: Sun 22 July
Perth: Wed 25 & Thur 26 July
Dr. Magrini's visit is sponsored by the Synods of the UCA, with added support from National Assembly Christian Education.
