Our Circle is an adult education program of Ascension Memorial Church, Ipswich, MA designed to lead a group of people to experience true community by providing a structured, ceremonial circle in which participants find support and freedom to speak from their hearts and to develop their own language of faith. Our Circle is offered three times a year, each class lasting six sessions and meeting second and fourth Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday evenings of the month (January 2009 Class times to be determined based on needs of participants). Class size is limited to eight members. Each session is thematic, by which participants speak from the heart on topics central to the Christian tradition: Jesus, God, Holy Spirit, Salvation, Sin, and Forgiveness. Our Circle is designed also as a means for deepening and strengthening the bonds of community within the larger AMC parish community. As participants of the Our Circle program come to experience a more candid, honest, and appreciative connection with fellow Our Circle participants, they in turn bring a deeper sense of belonging and commitment to the larger parish community.
Contact: The Rev. Bradford Clark
How Our Circle works…
- Our Circle begins with a brief, ceremonial expression of shared intent (see “Opening Words” below).
- A “talking piece” is passed from one person to the next, allowing the person holding the talking piece to speak without interruption, a common deterrent to speaking our truths.
- FOUR Intentions are observed while in Our Circle:
a. We speak from our hearts
b. We listen with our hearts
c. We practice leanness of expression
d. We resist rehearsing what we will say
- Shared Agreements: We speak only when we are holding the talking piece, with three exceptions: 1) to offer a simple sound of affirmation for something heard that resonates deeply with you; 2) to ask someone to speak up; or 3) for the convener to offer a word of guidance or a helpful reminder.
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