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Monday, January 25, 2010 |
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Growing The Cluster A Report from the Vineyard
By St Mary Administrator @ 9:34 AM :: 199 Views ::  :: Church Events
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Well over 700 people participated in our 1st intergenerational program “Growing the Cluster.” Our time together began with some social time, food, and opening prayer. We then split into groups: parents & children up to 4th grade; 5th – 8th graders; high school students; and adults. After a learning & sharing experience based on “I am the vine; you are the branches,” we all gathered for closing prayer.
To give you a small taste of the “fruits” of our time together, here is a cluster of various comments and responses:
We should remain flexible – willing to take part in new opportunities and form new connections.
Since we are all part of the vine, it is important to be welcoming. No one should feel like an outsider. We all belong.
We are like a church without walls. Continuing to go to other church sites will help us get to know each other.
Pruning brings about more growth and fruit. So we should not fear change.
The middle school students wanted to do more skits. Some were heard singing the closing song as they left.
High school students became aware of the connections between self-God-community. Strengthening our bonds with God will help strengthen our bonds with community.
The posters made by young children and their parents were fantastic. Many dads stepped forward with their children to give explanations of their art work.
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes all of us to be CHURCH.
Our clustering is an exciting opportunity to meet more people. This program is a start to our sharing of ideas. It’s important to connect and communicate.
Along with all of the above was a common response of care-taking for all of our community: being aware of those who are in need; coming together to help others (the spaghetti dinner in December); being aware of opportunities to give service. People see our 3-parish cluster as meaning more ideas, more growth, and more chances for volunteering.
Thank you to the many parishioners who helped in making this cluster-experience possible! We go forward as a community baptized in the living water, fed by the living bread, and connected to Christ, our living vine. Chris Crom, Denise Murre, Maureen Rotramel, Lee Kaschinska, & Mary McHugh
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