19 October 2013

last day, last supper

Today was the last day of our Level I, Part 1, training course in Leiden. I spent some of yesterday and this morning working with a partner on the presentation about the Last Supper.

I loved how she "offered" the wine to everyone
[Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (like its descendant, Godly Play), maintains a distinction between historical characters, represented by 3-D figures, and characters who are only elements in a story, such as the Good Samaritan (Jesus tells a story about him, but there is no assertion in the Gospels that he was a real person). Parable characters are "flat", both literally and figuratively. So Linda pointed out that although these Last Supper characters are chunky it would be even better if the corners were sanded off them so that they were rounder and more clearly distinguishable from wooden 2-D figures.]

We finished our day with a look at the Pentecost Celebration. I found it a somewhat dissatisfying mix of teaching and participation (being pressed for time, we had to do both at once). Yet even so, I was captivated enough to wonder whether and how to try to work it right into our congregation's Pentecost service next year - not just for children but for everyone!



Before leaving we presented some gifts - a book for our trainer and a bottle of wine for the local organiser. We're already talking about trying to meet in March for Part 2.

"Good Shepherd" wine, of course


2 comments:

  1. Wow! I just had fun reading all your Catechesis training posts and wish we could sit down with a cup of tea and talk it all out!! You have so many interesting observations and questions. I can really relate to your experience of being the only person who was not catholic and how challenging that can be. I've experienced that in several trainings and it is a real tension we live with in in CGS. I'm guessing it must be a struggle to be in between two very similar and yet distinct approaches. I'm looking forward to hearing more of your impressions and am here if you have any questions or thoughts to share!

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    Replies
    1. I agree about the cup of tea and chat - I thought of you several times during the course! My (North American) trainer seemed completely unfazed by my being Church of England, but several participants found it astonishing and even slightly disturbing.

      I'm so glad I was as disciplined as I was to get those posts out daily. (They went as emails to family as well as regular blog posts.) I do hope to get some more written on the subject before too long.

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