Workshop Choices...
Friends of the Groom can come to your church and put on a variety of workshops for part or all of a weekend. We are flexible and willing to fit into your program. Call us (513) 831-2859 for more information. Here's a "menu" of what we've done before:
BEYOND BATHROBES: CHRISTIAN DRAMA AND STORYTELLING -- This is a workshop for Christian educators, youth leaders, actors, directors, mimes, clowns, and anyone else who likes to express their faith creatively. Those who come will be invited to participate in a variety of drama and storytelling activities, including five ways to perform a story in church and using drama in worship and education. The workshop will also include practical information about where to find resources for Christian theatre and storytelling.
ALL GOD'S PEOPLE GOT TALES: STORYTELLING -- This workshop is designed for Christian storytellers, educators, preachers and people who just like to hear a good tale. Participants will experience a variety of storytelling techniques, including five ways to tell a story in church, storytelling principles and techniques, and where to find stories.
CREATIVE DRAMATICS IN THE CHURCH -- This is a workshop for Church school teachers, actors, youth group leaders, and anyone interested in using drama with young people in the Church. Participants will experience theatre games and exercises that can be easily used in classrooms, Bible study, worship services, and group meetings. Come find out how to make religious stuff exciting without using pizza!
A WEEKEND WITH FRIENDS - AN EXPERIENCE OF CHRISTIAN GROWTH FOR CONGREGATIONS --This is a weekend aimed at spiritual renewal and/or Christian education for individual congregations. The Church will experience a combination of performances, talks, and small group activities designed to help each person grow in Christ and to build a sense of Christian community between members. You can choose to limit the weekend to adults, or open it to all ages.
Here are two suggested schedules:
Schedule A (No Friday activities - All day Saturday and Saturday night activities - Sunday program)
Friday
Early Eve Group of three Friends of the Groom performers arrives.
Saturday
9:00 - 9:15 Singing (Church provides song leader for all singing), performance for all age groups.
10:00 - 11:00 Separate activities for youth and children. Adults remain for additional presentation and small group activities/discussion.
11:15 - 12:00 Morning ends with children, youth and adults reassembling to prepare for final worship/presentation.
12:00 - 12:30 Lunch
12:45 - 1:45 Final worship/presentation - groups for acting, writing, prayers, singing. (Communion service is possible if you provide a priest or minister.)
2:00 - 3:00 Friends of the Groom rehearse for Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
6:00 - 7:00 Potluck supper.
7:00 - 8:00 Performance.
Sunday
We can fit in with your regular Sunday morning schedule in the following ways:
- Performing at one or two services during the sermon time (or at other times).
- Performing at a Christian education period for adults, youth or children (we prefer working with all
ages at once).
- Carrying festive banners (kites) in the processional and recessional at the services.
Schedule B (Friday and Saturday activities - no program Saturday night - Sunday program)
Friday
Early Eve Group of three Friends of the Groom performers arrives.
6:30 - 7:30 Potluck dinner, registration.
7:30 - 9:00 Introductory session: Singing (Church provides song leader for all singing.), mixers; Opening performance for all ages.
Saturday
9:00 - 9:45 Singing; Performance for all ages.
10:00 - 11:00 Separate activities for youth and children. Adults remain for additional presentation and small group activities/discussion. Youth and children involved in theatre games and activities using scripture.
11:15 -12:00 Morning ends with children, youth and adults reassembling for final presentation.
12:00 - 12:45 Lunch.
12:45 - 1:45 Preparation for worship; groups for acting, writing prayers, leading singing.
1:45 - 2:30 Final worship/presentation. (Communion service is possible if you provide a priest or minister.)
3:00 - 4:30 Friends of the Groom rehearse in worship space for Sunday morning.
Sunday Same as Schedule A above.
We're flexible and willing to fit into your program. For example:
We can develop a weekend around a particular theme (assuming it's not overly specific).
The schedule can be designed to include a 1 1/2 hour rehearsal with a group of volunteer performers from your church (older youth or adults). After a second "run-through" on Sunday morning, these "One-Rehearsal Players" would perform during Sunday morning worship.
