Someone to talk to…Someone to talk to…

Creating Faith Creating Faith Based Based Interpersonal Interpersonal ConnectionsConnections

Rev. Brian Bagley-Bonner

Our Time TogetherOur Time Together

Setting the StageSetting the Stage The Roles of FaithThe Roles of Faith Where to Make ConnectionsWhere to Make Connections How to Make ConnectionsHow to Make Connections Enhancing ProgramsEnhancing Programs Words of WisdomWords of Wisdom

What is our goal?What is our goal?

Connect Connect

PersonsPersons

…is a legal concept both permitting rights to and imposing duties on one by law. In the fields of law, philosophy, medicine, and others, the term has specialized context-specific meanings. In many jurisdictions, for example, a corporation is considered a legal person with standing to sue or be sued in court. In philosophy, "person" may apply to any human or non-human actor who is regarded as self-conscious and capable of certain kinds of thought; for example, individuals who have the power to reflect upon and choose their actions.

A Person…

FaithFaith

Religious FaithReligious Faith ““Confident belief or trust Confident belief or trust

in…”in…” What is important in life?What is important in life? SpiritualitySpirituality

– When you boil it all downWhen you boil it all down

The Roles of The Roles of Faith/SpiritualityFaith/Spirituality

Connection to NeighborConnection to Neighbor

Connection to Connection to NeighborNeighbor

CommunityCommunity

CommitmentCommitmentCommunionCommunion

CommunicationCommunication

Connection to Connection to NeighborNeighbor People similar to youPeople similar to you People different than youPeople different than you Healthy disagreementHealthy disagreement

The Roles of The Roles of Faith/SpiritualityFaith/Spirituality

Connection to NeighborConnection to Neighbor Connection to the Connection to the

TranscendentTranscendent

Connection to the Connection to the TranscendentTranscendent

Where do you see God/Creator?Where do you see God/Creator?– Church/Synagogue/Mosque/TempleChurch/Synagogue/Mosque/Temple

Connection to the Connection to the TranscendentTranscendent How do you sense the How do you sense the

Transcendent?Transcendent?

The Roles of The Roles of Faith/SpiritualityFaith/Spirituality

Connection to NeighborConnection to Neighbor Connection to the Connection to the

TranscendentTranscendent Connection to SelfConnection to Self

Connection to SelfConnection to Self

Remembering who we areRemembering who we are– Our Whole StoryOur Whole Story– Beliefs & EthicsBeliefs & Ethics– How and why of livingHow and why of living– What makes your heart sing?What makes your heart sing?

Connection to SelfConnection to Self

Self-challenge Self-challenge – Book studiesBook studies– Yoga/Tai Chi/DanceYoga/Tai Chi/Dance– Learning and growing never Learning and growing never

endend

Where?Where?

CongregationCongregation– Study/Prayer GroupsStudy/Prayer Groups– Performance GroupsPerformance Groups– Men’s/Women’s GroupsMen’s/Women’s Groups– Social/Activity GroupsSocial/Activity Groups– Parish Nurse programsParish Nurse programs

Where?Where?

Community CenterCommunity Center Service GroupsService Groups

– Lions/Rotary/Masonic/VolunteerLions/Rotary/Masonic/Volunteer 12 Step Programs12 Step Programs Parks/NatureParks/Nature Affinity Group/MemoriesAffinity Group/Memories

How?How?

In PersonIn Person PhonePhone If you build it…If you build it… they might come!they might come!

How?How?

Internet Internet – EmailEmail– Facebook / Social NetworksFacebook / Social Networks– MP3 DownloadsMP3 Downloads– WebsitesWebsites

DenominationsDenominations Groups / PlacesGroups / Places

Enhancing ProgramsEnhancing Programs

AccessibilityAccessibility Conscious of time & placeConscious of time & place SynergySynergy

– Blood pressure/meal/study/cardsBlood pressure/meal/study/cards– Mix interest/age groupsMix interest/age groups

Allow free time Allow free time Encourage self-directionEncourage self-direction Creativity / FlexibilityCreativity / Flexibility

Words of WisdomWords of Wisdom

““I could not, at any age, be content I could not, at any age, be content to take my place in a corner by to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on.”the fireside and simply look on.”

Eleanor RooseveltEleanor Roosevelt

Words of WisdomWords of Wisdom

““I arise in the morning torn I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve between a desire to improve the world and a desire to the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”it hard to plan the day.”

E.B. WhiteE.B. White

Words of WisdomWords of Wisdom

““Look, I don’t want to wax philosophic, Look, I don’t want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you’re alive but I will say that if you’re alive you’ve got to flap your arms and legs, you’ve got to flap your arms and legs, you’ve got to jump around a lot, for you’ve got to jump around a lot, for life is the very opposite of death, and life is the very opposite of death, and therefore you must at very least think therefore you must at very least think noisy and colorful, or you’re not noisy and colorful, or you’re not alive!” alive!”

Mel BrooksMel Brooks

Words of WisdomWords of Wisdom

““May you live every day of your May you live every day of your life.”life.”

Jonathan SwiftJonathan Swift

Thank Thank You You