Someone to talk to… Creating Faith Based Interpersonal Connections Rev. Brian Bagley-Bonner

Our Time Together Setting the Stage Setting the Stage The Roles of Faith The Roles of Faith Where to Make Connections Where to Make Connections How to Make Connections How to Make Connections Enhancing Programs Enhancing Programs Words of Wisdom Words of Wisdom

What is our goal? Connect Persons

…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…

Faith Religious Faith Religious Faith “Confident belief or trust in…” “Confident belief or trust in…” What is important in life? What is important in life? Spirituality Spirituality –When you boil it all down

The Roles of Faith/Spirituality Connection to Neighbor Connection to Neighbor

Connection to Neighbor Community Commitment Communion Communication

People similar to you People similar to you People different than you People different than you Healthy disagreement Healthy disagreement

The Roles of Faith/Spirituality Connection to Neighbor Connection to Neighbor Connection to the Transcendent Connection to the Transcendent

Connection to the Transcendent Where do you see God/Creator? Where do you see God/Creator? –Church/Synagogue/Mosque/Temple

Connection to the Transcendent How do you sense the Transcendent? How do you sense the Transcendent?

The Roles of Faith/Spirituality Connection to Neighbor Connection to Neighbor Connection to the Transcendent Connection to the Transcendent Connection to Self Connection to Self

Connection to Self Remembering who we are Remembering who we are –Our Whole Story –Beliefs & Ethics –How and why of living –What makes your heart sing?

Connection to Self Self-challenge Self-challenge –Book studies –Yoga/Tai Chi/Dance –Learning and growing never end

Where? Congregation Congregation –Study/Prayer Groups –Performance Groups –Men’s/Women’s Groups –Social/Activity Groups –Parish Nurse programs

Where? Community Center Community Center Service Groups Service Groups –Lions/Rotary/Masonic/Volunteer 12 Step Programs 12 Step Programs Parks/Nature Parks/Nature Affinity Group/Memories Affinity Group/Memories

How? In Person In Person Phone Phone If you build it… If you build it… they might come! they might come!

How? Internet Internet – –Facebook / Social Networks –MP3 Downloads –Websites Denominations Denominations Groups / Places Groups / Places

Enhancing Programs Accessibility Conscious of time & place Synergy –B–B–B–Blood pressure/meal/study/cards –M–M–M–Mix interest/age groups Allow free time Encourage self-direction Creativity / Flexibility

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

Words of Wisdom “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” E.B. White

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

Words of Wisdom “May you live every day of your life.” Jonathan Swift

Thank You