Optional Educational Opportunities
Not everything that is useful in the ministry of parish development can be covered in any one program. Here are several resources you may want to make use of as you participate in the core offering of Shaping the Parish. Activities that are conducted by the sisters and brothers of the Order of the Ascension will be announced as they are available.
Parish Development Initiatives (Optional)
Any participant that has completed one cycle of STP is invited to engage in a Parish Development Initiative (PDI). This is an opportunity to complete a project in your parish and receive feedback on it. This is not a required part of the program but an additional learning opportunity.
1) Doing a PDI
2) Forms used in the PDI process
Development Initiative - Action Plan
Development Initiative - Evaluation
Evaluation: Sample, may be used in receiving feedback from participants
Learning to say the Daily Office on your own
Two weeks doing Morning Prayer on Zoom with two members of the Order of the Ascension (or others). Guidance regarding doing it on your own. A couple of check-ins. No fee. Learning to say the Daily Office on your own 2024.
Increased self-awareness
This would involve making use of instruments such as MBTI, FIRO-B, TKI, This would be done on Zoom. There would be a fee – for materials and the time of the instructor.
Learning groups
If you’re in a parish team whatever reflecting/learning work will largely take place within that group. Those participants that are not part of parish teams will be offered a way to connect with others. Groups that are established will be self-managed. We’ll offer some initial guidance in setting them up and how they might function. Connecting and/or Learning Groups 2024
Workshops - Self-awareness, Group development theory and skills
There are several organizations not affiliated with OA or STP that offer 4-5 days in-person workshops. These have been powerful learning tools for many people. Here are a few such groups - NTL, EQHR Center, and the Crosby T-Group All are fee based workshops.
Diocesan gatherings
A diocese with a number of partcipants in STP might consider having an in-person component to “pray, reflect, and support one another in the work.” If that happened during the two years that would have its own value and might build some glue in that diocese.
