Take Out Leader's Guide May 2009

Alleluia Conversation

We are an Easter people! And as such, we are called to rejoice together in the good news of the resurrection. Sharing our faith experiences and spiritual victories and struggles with other families can bring us closer to one another and closer to Christ.

The May issue of Take Out is a great tool to help encourage conversation. Both Lorene Hanley Duquin’s article on "Keeping the Easter Spirit Alive" (page 5) and Mary Lou Rosien’s article on "Overcoming Anxiety as a Family" (page 6) are timely discussion starters.

Choose an evening this spring and invite families for a evening of “Alleluia discussion.” Gather families at tables. Be sure to build in time for “getting to know you” introductions. This helps parents connect with other parishioners who may have kids the same age or find that it is fun to learn from parents with older kids who have already experienced the younger phases of adolescence.

Save plenty of time for social conversation and community building. Weather permitting, you might choose to end the evening outside with lawn chairs on the grass and popcorn or cookies and juice. Enjoy the cool summer evenings that spring has to offer.

Alleluia Conversations

7:00 p.m. Opening Prayer and Introductions

Springtime Prayer

Gracious Loving God,
in this awakening springtime,
we give you thanks …
For the delight of sunny mornings,
and tiny growing things,
For the sights and sounds of new life,
and the busyness of house cleaning,
For the joy of being new again
and the awe of celebrating grace,
For the privilege to be your follower
and share your life and love with all
we meet.
Amen.

(Adapted from Ted Loder, Guerillas of Grace)

7:10 p.m. Offer some background on the Easter season. You might read Lorene Hanley Duquin’s article together as a group.

7:20 p.m. Prepare small group questions for each family to discuss based on the two articles. Some suggestions:

1) What happened at Pentecost? How would you have felt if you were gathered together in the “upper room”?
2) How does the Holy Spirit guide you in daily life?
3) What are some ways we can focus on our family time more?
4) Is it hard to ask for help? Why or why not?
5) How can your faith help you when times are tough?
6) What do we have to celebrate this spring/summer?

8:00 p.m. Community building
Gather outside for snacks and conversation

8:30 p.m. Concluding Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven…