(Check out this series of posters- here)

I have posted some stuff before on our embryonic Emerging Scotland network (or whatever it comes to be called!) here.

Today I circulated a document as follows- if you want to know more, get in touch!

Emerging Scotland Network… getting things started.

What?

It is clear in my mind that the proposal is for a facilitated network, which imposes few restrictions or obligations on members. We need to decide pretty early on what we would seek to embrace and include. My preference is for a very ‘generous orthodoxy’- and again, this seems to fit in with those who returned the questions.

The object is to support and sustain one another, share ideas, resources and find companionship and encouragement, and there may be grounds for formal/informal mentoring or partnership arrangements.

People may be part of existing church situations in which they are seeking new ways of being or doing, or they might be planting something new- or perhaps just dreaming of doing…

How?

By a variety of means: websites, blogs, on-line networking, but also face to face meetings, retreats, information sharing events etc.

We are clear that the development of a website is a priority, but only to facilitate real human contact! Stewart has a possible way of making this happen- but might appreciate input from anyone who has skills/interest.

Sharing ideas/ skills/ resources – labyrinths, prayer rooms, musicians, poets, and people who know how to support and empower through prayer. Not to forget preachers and evangelists etc etc!

What next?

This is up to you!

Below is a list of dates. Michaela and I will facilitate the first couple to get us started, and then others can take their turn. Please give consideration to whether you could host such an event or meeting!

These meetings will have an open invitation, but for practical purposes, we will need to know numbers in advance…

What will we do at the meetings?

This too is up to you! I suppose it could be a shared coffee, or something more developed?

But I would suggest a combination of the things below-

Ø Business stuff- organisation of the network, ‘leadership’, accountability etc

Ø Creative prayer and worship

Ø A focus on key themes, for example- kids in the new context, the Bible, sectarianism, poverty, worship, rural/remote issues etc

Ø Specific local stuff relevant to the host area.

It might be that if you have an event or activity that coincides with one of these meetings (or we could make fit) then this is an opportunity for people to lend a practical form of support to one another.

So – dates… please put these dates in your diary, and we will try to fill them all… IF PEOPLE WANT TO SUGGEST OTHER DATES, let me know!

Date	Where	What	Facilitators
24th January, 2009	Starbucks, Borders Bookshop Glasgow Fort shopping centre Just off the M8 Glasgow	Meet and share session A chance to check out the thing a bit closer- and find out more. Sort out some business issues- fill some dates, and allocate some tasks,	Chris and Michaela Goan 01369 707009 chris@goan.fsnet.co.uk
28th-29th March, 2009	Chris and Michaela’s house 179 Marine Parade DUNOON	WEEKEND RETREAT/OPEN HOUSE. A chance to spend some more in-depth time with people, and God. Come for the day, or for the weekend (we have room for quite a few, but obviously first come, first served!) Kids are welcome, but we need to plan things around them- so let us know! No cost- but you might need to bring some food along to throw into the communal pot. This might include- quiet room, walks along the shore, worship sessions, specific group discussion times, sharing meals and sitting round log fires…	Chris and Michaela Goan 01369 707009 chris@goan.fsnet.co.uk
16th May 2009	?	?	?
27th June 2009	?	?	?
12th September 2009	?	?	?
21st November 2009	?	?	?

Chris Goan

14.10.08.