RIPPLE COMMUNITY INC. RP GRADUATION
12:00-12:30
Welcome- Introduction-check in -Ben
Gathering, , review of what we have covered- Angela, Sherri
12:30-12:45
Thoughts and Encouragements From Not to With - Tom
A Word from IIRP Founder and President -Ted Wachtel
Presenting the Graduates-- RCI board member Samantha- Jan B., Sheri D., Angeliky S.
Presenting Certificates – Grads’ responses …What were you thinking? What are you thinking now? Carolyn
12:45-1PM
All- Check out question- What is one idea or encouragement you have for RCI as we move forward? - Ben
1:00- 2:00
Lunch/fellowship – Prayer- directions – Carolyn/Fannie
Our group was our largest yet with a mission team from Eastern Mennonite Missions attending, people arriving as the meeting progressed, and the circle enlarging as time progressed. Many people, who had attended occasionally, were present, and we had invited graduates and others to bring a friend, which they did! I think that this returning of occasional attenders and the presence of friends speaks to the value and connections that people have made by attending these sessions. As I listened to the wisdom of the group in the check out questions, I heard people saying that there was a value that they had experienced in gathering. More than one person expressed the value of the skill of listening and shared a situation that that they had handled in a more restorative way because of what they had learned about RP in the group. Others in the group shared the hope that the future could hold a different way of engaging conflict. More than one person told us that the six weeks of classes were too drawn out and that, perhaps, a weekend session or two might be better. Some people helped us see that the time and location conflicted with other places people needed to be for lunch (soup kitchen) or other commitments. Overall, there was a palpable sense of “withness.” All of us around this circle are in this together and for the good of our community and ourselves.
There were three women who completed the commitment of attending 5/6 of the sessions. I was concerned there may have been negative feelings, since some people missed “graduation” by a week or two. There were no ill feelings expressed, and a few of the group asked if they could “make up a week” and graduate later. The group celebrated their accomplishments, and Ted Wachtel encouraged RCI to try RP in diverse and varied settings. He shared that he had connections to Allentown and that people are watching what we are doing.
-What other forms could RCI take to help people experience RP in an engaging, neighborhood context? Does it have to be in sessions? Can we offer the ability to come along side of people when they are in need?
-What ways can you think of to offer both RP in experience and in process?
-Please share your thoughts/feelings about the graduation experience?
NOTE: I will continue to post here for the next month... next week I will include some of my thoughts to the graduates and our RCI group then I will share some input from others readings and research that I am reviewing. Thank you for being on apart of this online group. I really appreciate your visiting, reading and responding. Tom