Philosophy
and Practice in Ministry
Here
are some approaches that have proven helpful over the years:
Please feel encouraged and called forth as an equal partner as we care and minister to our children. Your spiritual insights and wisdom are especially sought. You have been recommended to our program and selected as a Resource Leader precisely for the skills and spiritual gifts which others have experienced at work within you. Individually, our varied approaches to the Divine, especially as Friends, is a blessing to be shared, not hidden.
A
Staff Notebook is provided to each
staffer upon arrival at the retreat. It includes schedules, Staff Notes, Small
Group info, names and addresses of children, policies, prayers, jokes and a
Staff Evaluation. Please remember that our Website also includes directions to
retreats, mission statement, program goals, etc.
My
practice in ministry among young people is to create tall, solid and loving
boundaries around our children with lots of freedom within.
I rely on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide us, and them, as young
people. My experience is that
children actually love rules, want to be contained and thrive on clear
expectations! When these elements
come together in a spirit of love, respect and mutual care, we transform from a
mere retreat setting into a spiritual community that endures beyond our weekend
together.
Insuring
personal and emotional safety, and of course helping to create a nurturing space
for spiritual growth, is perhaps the single most important thing we do in our
program. When interpersonal issues arise between young people and/or staff, our
policy is to use Quaker process to help resolve issues.
Forming mini clearness committees works very well, with one or two
attending staffers present.
If
you’re not comfortable about some situation, please, always tell me, or share
it with another seasoned staffer who will bring it to my attention.
We’ll talk about it and do what we can.
Generally, I try not to jump in the middle of every minor skirmish that
the children sometimes have. I am
“big” however, on respecting each other personally, including us (!) as
adults, avoiding violence, etc. Problems
that arise just gives us a chance to put Quakerism to work!