A Conversation

A recent gathering of the clergy of Southern Virginia included a facilitated conversation around Parish-to-Parish Partnerships. The responses captured on newsprint are listed below.
Your comments, corrections and additions are solicited. Your ideas and what your parish might seek or offer in a parish2parish partnership are welcome here.

1. Relationships should be organic, rising out of relationship, not contirved to "check the box."
2. Relationships should be peer-to-peer, where partners are of common interest, size, etc.
3. Partnerships should not be viewed as dependant or paternal relationships.
4. Several small congregations might be one partner in a partnership.
5. Publish a calendar on the Diocesan web site for parishes in the prayers of the people.
6. The Diocesan web site might publish a trading board for parishes to advertise and search for resources.
7. The vision and purpose of this initiative should be more clearly articulated.
8. The vast majority of clergy were receptive to this initiative.
9. A beginning step would be to identivy and inventory strengths and passions.
10. This initiative may reveal possibilities for new ministries.
11. Will this mean more work for parishes, clergy?
12. Will this provide for spreading the work in collaboration. IE: joint confrimation, lay reader training, youth groups, etc.
13. The Diocese role should be to network ideas, offer suggestions.

The Necessary Ingredients would be:

1. Prayer
2. Identify organic needs
3. Intentionality, clarity
4. Relational
5. Passion