Being a Facilitator for a Small Faith–Sharing Community Gathering
Follows are some suggestions for the Facilitator of the gathering:
1. Review and comply with the “Preparation Guidelines” (found at page 1 of the Suggested Format for the Facilitator’s Guide).
2. Timely send an email reminder with any resources for the gathering to other members. of the SFC. (See an example of such an email that is posted).
3. If the meeting is being conducted in person, arrive at the location at least 15 minutes ahead of time and set up any chairs, together with any symbols that will be used during the gathering.
If the meeting is being held on Zoom, timely schedule the meeting date and times, and send the logon instructions to the other members the day before the gathering.
4. Have viewed any videos, listened to any audios, and read any articles or other resources that will used for the gathering and have them available.
5. Pray during the week for each member of the group, and for discernment by the Holy Spirit.
6. Become familiar with the Facilitator’s Guide for the gathering. The Guide contains examples of script to use for each of the different areas of discussion, as well as general questions. Consider whether there are other, more specific questions that you would like to ask based on your review of the pre-session materials.
7. Model the “Guidelines for Participation in Groups.” If needed, remind the group of any Guidelines that are not being followed. Stress the need for dignity and respect for each other, as well as the confidential nature of whatever is being shared
8. Welcome each member as they arrive at the gathering.
9. Try to begin the gathering on time so that it can end on time. You can usually get everyone’s attention by stating, “Let’s begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Keep track of the time. A suggested time is given for each section of the Facilitator’s Guide. However, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. The times usually fluctuate depending on the nature and extent of the sharing by group members. For example, if the sharing in the “Check-In—Review of Past Week” section of the Facilitator’s Guide took longer than the suggested time, then at the beginning the Lectio Divina section, you can suggest that the group only does one reading of the Gospel passage rather than the two suggested readings. Be flexible as needed.
10. Invite everyone to share who wants to share. Sometimes, you just need to be silent to allow someone to begin. Try to allow everyone an opportunity to share first before someone begins sharing again. Try to encourage people to speak with “I” statements—how they felt or thought about their experience. Also be aware of verbal cues, such as people who may appear to be wanting to say something. If people are trying to monopolize the conversation, begin interrupting or talking over others or, due to time constraints the group needs to move on, politely take charge.
11. As stated in the suggested email for transmitting the pre-session materials to the group members:
12. The group members are all adults who will come to understand and respect the process, embrace the grace of God to allow them to be members of this Community, and they will grow in their love of God and of each other.
13. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or to ask for help from the Holy Spirit and from others in the Community.
1. Review and comply with the “Preparation Guidelines” (found at page 1 of the Suggested Format for the Facilitator’s Guide).
2. Timely send an email reminder with any resources for the gathering to other members. of the SFC. (See an example of such an email that is posted).
3. If the meeting is being conducted in person, arrive at the location at least 15 minutes ahead of time and set up any chairs, together with any symbols that will be used during the gathering.
If the meeting is being held on Zoom, timely schedule the meeting date and times, and send the logon instructions to the other members the day before the gathering.
4. Have viewed any videos, listened to any audios, and read any articles or other resources that will used for the gathering and have them available.
5. Pray during the week for each member of the group, and for discernment by the Holy Spirit.
6. Become familiar with the Facilitator’s Guide for the gathering. The Guide contains examples of script to use for each of the different areas of discussion, as well as general questions. Consider whether there are other, more specific questions that you would like to ask based on your review of the pre-session materials.
7. Model the “Guidelines for Participation in Groups.” If needed, remind the group of any Guidelines that are not being followed. Stress the need for dignity and respect for each other, as well as the confidential nature of whatever is being shared
8. Welcome each member as they arrive at the gathering.
9. Try to begin the gathering on time so that it can end on time. You can usually get everyone’s attention by stating, “Let’s begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Keep track of the time. A suggested time is given for each section of the Facilitator’s Guide. However, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. The times usually fluctuate depending on the nature and extent of the sharing by group members. For example, if the sharing in the “Check-In—Review of Past Week” section of the Facilitator’s Guide took longer than the suggested time, then at the beginning the Lectio Divina section, you can suggest that the group only does one reading of the Gospel passage rather than the two suggested readings. Be flexible as needed.
10. Invite everyone to share who wants to share. Sometimes, you just need to be silent to allow someone to begin. Try to allow everyone an opportunity to share first before someone begins sharing again. Try to encourage people to speak with “I” statements—how they felt or thought about their experience. Also be aware of verbal cues, such as people who may appear to be wanting to say something. If people are trying to monopolize the conversation, begin interrupting or talking over others or, due to time constraints the group needs to move on, politely take charge.
11. As stated in the suggested email for transmitting the pre-session materials to the group members:
“We are a small community of individuals, guided by the Holy Spirit, who gather online to learn together, to pray, to freely share and actively listen to one another, respectfully and without judgment or condemnation, of our joys, blessings, trials, concerns, thoughts, and questions about our respective faith and life journeys. We promote, empower, honor, and expect confidentiality within our community, which is motivated by our deep respect for the inherent dignity and sacredness of people, their stories, and their experiences.”
One of your responsibilities as a Facilitator is to encourage and lead the group towards doing this.12. The group members are all adults who will come to understand and respect the process, embrace the grace of God to allow them to be members of this Community, and they will grow in their love of God and of each other.
13. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or to ask for help from the Holy Spirit and from others in the Community.