Nebraska Synod ELCA
Event
Program Description:
This four-week class will provide four examples of prayer stations (8 stations each week) that can be used in the congregation. While some are designed for specific ages or seasons, we will talk about how they can be modified for other uses. Each week, we will walk through the stations, supplies needed, set up and possible adaptations.
Week 1: Time alone with God. Designed for middle and high school and adults, this series of 8 prayer stations is individualized, reflective and quiet. These could also be used as Lenten prayer stations during a service or left up in the sanctuary for personal use during Lent or done as a part of a council retreat. Stations include items such as finger labyrinths, picture prayer cards and hand crosses
Week 2: Creative prayers of the people. Designed as a cross generational way to pray, these are 8 fun, vibrant, sensory ways to pray the prayers of the people. These could be used during a Sunday worship such as Rally Sunday or an outdoor worship or during a series of children’s sermons or as a Sunday School session. Stations include items such as post-it prayers, Lego prayers and sandcastle prayers.
Week 3: Prayers for peace or prayers for creation. These are great cross generational prayer stations to leave up for a season such as Advent or Lent and to encourage people to pray as they come in or out of church. They can be set up around the building and even outside. Stations include items such as: origami peace tree, peace streamers, butterflies, and a prayer loom
Week 4: Prayers for justice in the world. These prayer stations could be used individually (each week) during a Sunday School curriculum or consecutively with ELCA world hunger resources or in conjunction with adult forum/education on Mission Field Nebraska. They could also be used as a special pray service on World Day of Prayer. Prayer stations all include some educational component and are primarily designed for an adult audience but could be adapted to children. Stations include items such as water prayer (at the font), newspaper prayer, maps and pins and chain prayers.
Instructor:
Gretchen Ahrens is the Director for Youth and Justice Ministries for the Nebraska Synod. has worked in Outdoor Ministries NLOM and in Georgia for over 15 years and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, Africa. Gretchen is an avid equine instructor and certified with several different therapeutic riding organizations She has written prayer and Bible Study curriculum for all ages and loves to help people find ways to use their creativity to communicate with God. She strongly believes there is no wrong way to pray and is excited to share prayer ideas that can be used in congregational settings.
Class Details:
Dates: Wednesdays, September 11, 18, 15 and October 2
Time: 7:00-8:15 Central/6:00-7:15 Mountain
Format: This is an online Zoom course. Link and other prep materials will be emailed to registered participants after September 4.
Target Audience: Gretchen will be offering a variety of ideas to use with youth groups, Lent or Advent services, special events calling for prayer and for your personal use. All are welcome to come learn and share. Invite a congregational task force or committee to join you.
Pre-session prep: After registering for the class, you will be sent a list of supplies for each week so you can practice the prayer practices together as we talk about them.
Cost: $20/per person
Continuing Education Credits: This course constituted 5 hours of continuing education credits. PMAs need to follow guidelines found in the Parish Ministry Associate Handbook.
Registration Deadline: Registration deadline is September 4, 2024. No refunds after September 4.