Discussion Forums - Part 2
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Janet Schaeffler
Jan 22, 2009, 10:13:22 AM1/22/09
to Adult Faith Formation Forum
A few of us are having trouble replying to the thread "Discussion
Forums/Blogs," (the Reply button doesn't show up), so having tried
everything with no luck, I'm just starting a new thread!
If you go back to that thread and read Chery's entry from September
15th, I'm wondering, Cheryl, if you'd share with us how things are
going. What were your feelings/expectations as you began it? How are
you feeling now? What has been the response of the parents? What do
you see as the advantages/disadvantages of this approach?
Forums/Blogs," (the Reply button doesn't show up), so having tried
everything with no luck, I'm just starting a new thread!
If you go back to that thread and read Chery's entry from September
15th, I'm wondering, Cheryl, if you'd share with us how things are
going. What were your feelings/expectations as you began it? How are
you feeling now? What has been the response of the parents? What do
you see as the advantages/disadvantages of this approach?
Cheryl
Jan 22, 2009, 11:30:42 AM1/22/09
to Adult Faith Formation Forum
As you might recall, our baptism team decided to pilot a baptismal
preparation program discussion group. My feelings and motivation to
begin the group came with an intuition that told me that parents
arriving for a one-evening workshop simply could not process the
formation we were expecting of them. There seemed to be little table
conversation, and much of what went on at the workshop was within the
context of a "teacher-student" methodology. I just didn't see that
fitting well with AFF principles.
So......
We came up with this idea, and I have to say it has been a spendid
success! I had two concerns initially; one, that a lack of "face
time" would not be community building; secondly, that not everyone
would have computer access. The community building has actually been
above and beyond my expectations. It is truly amazing to me what
people will share, and questions they will ask behind a computer
screen. By the end of the 3-week preparation, we are all "buddies"
and are looking forward to meeting one another face to face at our
half-hour rehearsal the day before the baptism. As for computer
access, I haven't had one problem with that yet.
Parents love this. And the responses are so much better thought out.
I would be willing to share the questions that I ask if anyone is
interested...Also, my pastor is on our discussion group list, and he
also reads the questions/responses. As a matter of fact, one of my
parents brought forth a completely different pastoral issue that Fr.
Chris personally dealt with. I was impressed.
Advantages: better-prepared responses, ease of access; more time
spent on preparation (I don't think parents have caught on that a 1.5
hour workshop is a lot less of a commitment :) )More focus on prayer
before the sacrament (we incorporate a prayer service into our
rehearsal); one less meeting for me!
Disadvantages: potentially having to deal with someone who does not
own a computer; perhaps a lack of face time; not enough time to fully
evaluate the program (we are currently on our second group, so despite
my enthusiasm, I don't have a ton of experience with this yet)
Hope this helps!
Cheryl
On Jan 22, 10:13 am, Janet Schaeffler <schaeffler.ja...@aod.org>
wrote:
preparation program discussion group. My feelings and motivation to
begin the group came with an intuition that told me that parents
arriving for a one-evening workshop simply could not process the
formation we were expecting of them. There seemed to be little table
conversation, and much of what went on at the workshop was within the
context of a "teacher-student" methodology. I just didn't see that
fitting well with AFF principles.
So......
We came up with this idea, and I have to say it has been a spendid
success! I had two concerns initially; one, that a lack of "face
time" would not be community building; secondly, that not everyone
would have computer access. The community building has actually been
above and beyond my expectations. It is truly amazing to me what
people will share, and questions they will ask behind a computer
screen. By the end of the 3-week preparation, we are all "buddies"
and are looking forward to meeting one another face to face at our
half-hour rehearsal the day before the baptism. As for computer
access, I haven't had one problem with that yet.
Parents love this. And the responses are so much better thought out.
I would be willing to share the questions that I ask if anyone is
interested...Also, my pastor is on our discussion group list, and he
also reads the questions/responses. As a matter of fact, one of my
parents brought forth a completely different pastoral issue that Fr.
Chris personally dealt with. I was impressed.
Advantages: better-prepared responses, ease of access; more time
spent on preparation (I don't think parents have caught on that a 1.5
hour workshop is a lot less of a commitment :) )More focus on prayer
before the sacrament (we incorporate a prayer service into our
rehearsal); one less meeting for me!
Disadvantages: potentially having to deal with someone who does not
own a computer; perhaps a lack of face time; not enough time to fully
evaluate the program (we are currently on our second group, so despite
my enthusiasm, I don't have a ton of experience with this yet)
Hope this helps!
Cheryl
On Jan 22, 10:13 am, Janet Schaeffler <schaeffler.ja...@aod.org>
wrote:
Janet Schaeffler
Feb 6, 2009, 7:50:27 AM2/6/09
to Adult Faith Formation Forum
Thanks, Cheryl, for sharing this with us. I would appreciate seeing
the questions you ask the parents.
Everyone else, are you doing anything "similar" - using an internet
discussion group to connect people, for formation, etc?
the questions you ask the parents.
Everyone else, are you doing anything "similar" - using an internet
discussion group to connect people, for formation, etc?
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