Developed for the 2nd Annual National AROY Lenten Retreat, April 2002

"And love is not the easy thing....
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind"
--Walk On, U2

What's Inside:

• First Talk
• Second Talk
• Third Talk
• Afternoon Activity
• Retreat Closure

Schedule:
Friday
8-9 PM Registration
9-11 Introduction

Saturday
8:30-9:00 AM Morning Prayer
9:00-9:45 AM Breakfast
10:00-1:00 PM Sessions
1:00-2:00 PM Lunch
2:00-5:00 PM Activities
5:00-5:45 Great Vespers/ Confessions
6:00-7:00 PM Supper
7:00-11:00 Evening games and discussion

Sunday, April 14, 2002
10:00 AM Divine Liturgy
1:00 PM Lunch and Departure

I. Opening Sequence (9:00 PM)
The first few activities are very important for building the foundation of the retreat. In the opening session you must seek to accomplish a number of objectives. The opening sequence then can move into the first talks in which the theme of the retreat is introduced.

Objectives: By the end of the opening sequence participants should be able to

• Know the rules of the retreat and the behavior expected of them
• Know each other's names and a little bit about each participant
• Belong to a small group for discussion throughout the retreat

Activity #1: Prayer Service (5-10 Minutes)
Begin the retreat in prayer with the participants. The shape of this prayer depends on the resources available such as time, clergy, location, and so on. Ideally this will take place in the Church with clergy who will bless the proceedings. The minimum should be no less than singing "O Heavenly King" (or similar, depending on the season). Likewise, each session should open and close with prayer.

Activity #2: Breaking the Ice (20 minutes)
This is a series of activities to warm up participants and bring them closer together. These are typically games, songs, and other potentially uncomfortable situations for the shy and self-conscious adolescent or adult. The idea of the "ice-breaker" is to engage that discomfort and shyness and use its energy to get beyond it, to break through it. These warm-ups should take one half-hour. Two successful activities that reflect the idea of choices are the following Name Game.
Name Games: Form a circle with all participants, young and old. Coordinator begins by stating his or her name and something that they brought with them which also begins with the same letter as their first name. Example: "My name is Peter and I brought a pillow," or, "My name is Paul and I bring patience." The thing does not have to be concrete (as in "patience") nor does it have to be exactly true (Peter could have said "petunias" for a laugh), since the point is to make a connection with that person and their name. The next person must begin by saying the name and thing of every person who has gone before them. For example, Mary beings her turn by looking back to Peter and Paul saying, "This is Peter. He brought a pillow. That's Paul and he brought patience," and then she adds, "And I'm Mary and I brought a mystery!" This list grows with each person until it returns to the first person (the coordinator) who must recite the entire group.

Activity #3: Rules Talk (10 minutes)
This is the time to lay down the rules of the retreat clearly and concisely so as to avoid any problems down the road. Each situation will dictate its own specifics, such as what areas are off-limits, what times for lights out, what is expected for behavior and dress and so on. In addition, for a successful Choices Retreat, there are a few basic principles to follow:

Honesty: This retreat involves a lot of talking with each other, especially about each other's lives and personal choices. While participants are not expected to share every detail of their lives, nor should they feel compelled to, what they do share should be honest and truthful.

Respect: In order for honesty to work, other participants must show courtesy and respect by allowing each participant to speak freely, without fear of criticism or judgement. Participants must agree to be able to disagree. Also, what is shared in the retreat is not for public consumption but is to be respected as private. It is not to be discussed outside the discussion group setting without the consent of the relevant participants.

The Golden Rule: Lastly, as with all of Christian life, our actions are to be governed by Christ's teaching to "Do to others what you would have them do to you." Participants should treat each other with all the same care and kindness that they want for themselves.

The Rules Talk is also a time to officially recognize the retreat coordinator and those in charge who can answer any questions about food, first aid, phones, scheduling, transportation, etc.

Activity #5: Establishing the Groups (10 minutes)
Small group discussions are the core of the Choices retreat. Before moving into any of the talks, it is necessary to select groups and be clear about what is expected of them. This section outlines the basic format for group discussions and dynamics.

Selection Process: To begin this talk, you need to arrange participants into groups of 5-7. Groups should be selected at random on the spot or previously. These groups will remain the same throughout the retreat. If there is a serious personality conflict in a group or too much distraction for whatever reason feel free to reassign members as needed. You will also need to keep track of who is in what group.

Leaders: Each group will need its own leaders(s). You should find out who some of the most mature participants are ahead of time and approach them about taking on this responsibility. The task of the group leader is simple: Initiate the group discussions and keep the group focused enough to accomplish each assignment.

Make sure that the results of each discussion are recorded (written down) and ready for presentation to the large group made up of all retreat.

Make sure that every member of the small group is able to speak openly and no one person dominates the conversation, including him or herself.

Discussions: Each small group discussion lasts about 15 minutes. Following each talk by the retreat coordinator(s), the small groups will be given a number of discussion questions. The first few questions are design to spark dialogue about the issues raised in the talk/session and the last is a reflection question in which the group as a whole is called upon to apply the ideas to a specific problem or challenge.

Location: These small group discussions should take place in private far enough away from any other group to avoid eavesdropping and distraction. Each group will likely stake out its own territory on the retreat grounds nearby where they will go to carry out their discussions.

Report: After the private discussions, each group must choose a spokesperson to report their conclusions to the general retreat. This spokesperson should be different for each session so that every member takes a turn. The group leader should take this job no more than once.

Assembly Format: When all groups arrive back from small group discussions, each will take a turn to respond to the reflection questions given by the retreat leader. Groups remain seated together in a semi-circle facing the retreat master. Group Name: Each group should develop an identity, often symbolized in a name. You may decide to let each group choose their own name or assign one. A nice option would to have each group select a patron saint for their name. This conveniently limits the options yet allows for creative expression, and of course, returns the focus to the Holy.

Once groups are established you may proceed directly to Part II: Expectations Talk.

Notes on running the small group discussions

• Start-off: Once groups are formed and together they are ready to immediately go into the first discussion. For each talk the group leader have a copy of the talk's instructions. Groups should split off to separate locations and follow those guidelines, returning after about 15-20 minutes. Each participant should also have a notebook/ journal book and pencil/pen. They will need to use these throughout the retreat. Announce this so that they make sure they do not misplace them.
• Progress checks: You may want to wander from group to group during these time to note progress as well as get to know them. Make this regular but not intrusive. If they seem stuck or have finished to quickly, prompt them to further discussion with more questions, sharing examples from your own life as necessary. You'll need to be familiar with the group leader instructions yourself, of course. If they have completed the questions sufficiently, feel free to allow them the remaining few minutes to get to know one another better, this will increase openness later on.
• Arranging the Space: While the groups are away the first time, this is a good time to arrange the space for the large group discussion. Depending on your situation, the space and the furniture, you should arrange the room such that each group stays together and is facing towards the retreat master. No one should be seated with their backed turned to the central speaker. A semi circle of table works this way. It is important to establish a focused space with minimal potential for distraction. Finding the right space is often a challenge, and you will have to make do with whatever God grants. Do what you can.
• Debrief: Whenever the groups return to the main meeting area (you may have to gather the flock with some effort), begin by restating the reflection question. Ask each group to put forward their spokesperson to give the main group their reflections. Then discuss as a whole the ideas and issues raised, using example from your life to illustrate them whenever possible or practical. This period of "debriefing" the small groups is essential to the group talks.

II. Expectations Talk (9:45 PM)

Objectives:

• Share experiences in small group discussion
• Identify hopes, fears, and expectations about this retreat

This is a talk for each group to do individually. After the groups are divided they may be sent off immediately to complete the talk.

Leader Guide: Expectations Talk
Begin by stating your name again and something about yourself such as where you are from. Each participant should do the same.

Reinforce the importance of honesty, respect, and be willing to be open and to share and to listen. Give an example from your own experience of a time when you were faced with a new situation and had to be open with others.

Ask the following questions, giving each person, including yourself, a chance to respond out loud:

• Why did you come to the retreat?
• What do you hope to experience or learn at the retreat?
• What do you think this retreat is about?

There are no "wrong answers" to these questions. If the answers given are very short, discuss them a little more to find out more about the group members. After discussing these questions, ask this last reflection question (then return to the main group):

The name of this retreat is "Walk On." What do you think that means? (Where are we walking? With whom? Why?)

		Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry Orthodox Church in America PO Box 675 Syosset, NY 11791 http://yya.oca.org yyacm@oca.org The Hub | Back to top