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FRESH START is a diocesan-led
program for clergy in new positions and the lay
leaders in the congregations where they serve.
Fresh Start is designed to:
- assist with the transition issues inherent in any
new ministry;
- sharpen the skills of lay leaders and clergy for
congregational development;
- strengthen relationships needed for ministry
among the clergy of a diocese;
- deepen the trust and interconnectedness
between clergy and the lay leaders of congregations and the bishop and bishop's staff.
Fresh Start seeks to strengthen the
relationships among Episcopal clergy,
congregations and dioceses during critical periods of transition in clergy leadership of the
congregation.
BENEFITS
- Helps to honor the ministry of all leaders, lay
and ordained, in the life of the congregation.
- Helps to establish a common language to talk
about issues of transition.
- Increases participants' capacity to minister to
each other and the wider community.
- Provides an opportunity for leaders, both lay
and ordained, to experience each other's
openness to God and to deepen their capacity
to be ministers of Jesus Christ.
Q&A
What is the format?
Fresh Start meets monthly from September through May. The program uses theories, practical tools and small group discussions to help participants address issues of concern around the transitions they are facing.
When and where does the group meet?
The group meets every third Thursday from 8:30 to 1:00 at St. Alban’s on the Cathedral Close [pdf] unless otherwise announced. Lunch is provided.
When can clergy join Fresh Start?
New clergy are invited to join Fresh Start at two points during the year: in September and January.
How are parish lay leaders included?
Clergy participants are provided with resources to bring Fresh Start to their congregations, and search/transition consultants and interims within the Diocese are also provided with training on how to use Fresh Start material with congregations and lay leaders.
What topics are discussed?
There are four core modules which are always covered: Transition (the underlying theory behind Fresh Start); History-Sharing and Understanding; Entering a New System; and Family and Friends: Leading an Integrated Life. Other topics such as conflict management, decision-making, and role clarity are included based on an assessment of the needs and concerns of participants and may vary from year to year.
“A crucial time in the life of anyone's ordained ministry is the start of a new call. Times have changed in the church that I knew when I experienced my first call in 1972 as curate in the diocese of Newark. I was blessed to serve on multiple staffs, and with each subsequent call I was mentored by some of the best rectors and deans in the church. But such mentoring is clearly becoming a thing of the past and congregational life is for many cultural, domestic, and global reasons a much greater challenge than it was even a few short years ago.
FRESH START, led by nationally trained facilitators, will assist all clergy entering new cures to build relationships necessary for the growth of successful ministry within their congregations, among each other as colleagues, and with me and diocesan staff. I am excited about this program and am delighted with the input received by those clergy who have already participated in their first year of the program. Together, we can make our parishes centers of new life, good health and emerging growth during these challenging times.”
The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane D.D.
Bishop of Washington
FRESH START
Contacts in the Diocese of Washington
FreshStart@edow.org
Office of Deployment and Vocational Ministry
(202) 537-6531
Diocesan facilitators
Ms. Sandra Kolb
The Reverend Mr. Frank Dunn
The Rev. Canon Mary Sulerud
Ms. Carol Wzorek
FRESH START is a collaborative effort of The Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Church Foundation, and CREDO Institute.
Last Update: 10/19/09
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