I’m really excited that Albany Presbytery now offers regular “Open Space” opportunities for presentation or conversation before each stated meeting.
In National Capital Presbytery (2009-2016), I saw this practice work to great advantage. Many came early to the host facility to engage in topics of their choice. There would be several options, making it hard to decide.
Everyone is Invited – Not Just Those Staying for a Presbytery Meeting
Often I invited non-commissioners (folks not staying for the meeting) because of their interest in a certain conversation or presentation, publicized in advance.
The beauty of Open Space: It’s all-volunteer. No one has to sit through anything. Compared to presentations during presbytery meetings, Open Space will be longer, freer, and more rewarding.
Committee on Church Mission is Looking Forward to this Time/Opportunity
As chair of your Mission Committee, I look forward to planning some excellent content. But I won’t be alone; anyone can propose ideas via the Stated Clerk. It’s a great way to hold really important discussions. All of us should gain as a result.
Rev. Ted Wright, HR
Valley Falls
[clear-line]
HOW OPEN SPACE WILL WORK
Presentations Prior to the Presbytery Meeting
Topics for presentation and conversation can be shared during this time. Reach out to the Stated Clerk to get on the schedule.
**Please be aware that planning for meetings takes a lot of coordination. Although we always want to be accessible, if you can let us know at least a month in advance when proposing a topic, that will help us plan and publicize your Open Space Event.**
Law of Two Feet
The Law of Two Feet means you take responsibility for what you care about using your own two feet to move to the gathering where you can best contribute or learn.
Whoever shows up is who is most important
Whoever is attracted to participate in the conversation are the people who can contribute most to that conversation—because they care. So they are exactly the ones—for the whole group– who are capable of initiating action.
Limited Commitment
We meet for a brief fixed time before the presbytery meeting to provide an introduction to a topic. The Open Space is not the definitive guide to the topic, but an introduction where like minded people can find each other, assess interest, and if they choose they can agree to continue the discussion at another time and place.
For more information, please contact the Albany Presbytery Stated Clerk, Dan Rogers at drogers@albanypresbytery.org.
The purpose of the Albany Presbytery Blog is to share information, tell stories, and promote the mission and ministry of the presbytery, synod and beyond. While the breadth of this medium is intentionally broad, it is not a platform for opinion pieces related to business coming before the presbytery unless designed as part of an initiative to provide a diversity of viewpoints at the direction of the presbytery. Exceptions to this policy may be brought to the presbytery officers who will determine appropriateness of submissions.
