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The Greater Council is a membership body of the church. We meet in
council using the principles outlined in Christina Baldwin's landmark
book "Calling the Circle."
Decisions by the Greater Council are made by consensus of those in
attendance. Since Spirit holds the center of the council, all in attendance
act as Spirit intends.
"The circle as a social practice asks us to be willing to arrive,
to pay attention, to speak as clearly as we know how, and to help
action and accomplishment arise out of the group."
[from "Calling
the Circle" [fourth edition] page 63]
Purchase "Calling the Circle" here.
Principles
of Greater Council
- Everyone is a leader.
- Responsibility is shared.
- The center is held by reliance on Spirit.
- Please
speak to a Greater Council member for an explanation of these
principles. The Greater Council has chosen to modify slightly
the principles stated in the book; however, you may refer to Chapter
4 of "Calling
the Circle" fourth edition [or Chapter 5 of the first edition]
for an in-depth discussion.
These principles were adopted unanimously by the Greater Council
on August 4, 2002.
Practices
of Greater Council
- Attentive
listening
- Intentional
speaking
- Conscious
self-monitoring
Please refer to Chapter 4 or to page 216 of "Calling the Circle" fourth
edition [or Chapter 5 of the first edition], for further explanation
of these practices.
These principles were adopted unanimously by the Greater Council on
August 4, 2002.
Agreements
[Convenants] of Greater Council
- What is said in the circle belongs in the circle.
- The circle is a practice in discernment; we listen
to each other as witnesses without passing judgment.
- Each person takes responsibility for asking the
circle for the suppoert s/he wants and needs. [see
page 59]
- Each person takes responsibility for agreeing
or not agreeing to participate in specific requests.
- Anyone in the circle may call for silence, time-out,
or ritual to reestablish focus, to recenter, or to remember the
need for spiritual guidance.
- Agreements are adaptable. If something is not
working, revise the agreements and maintain the process.
For the sake of clarification, the Greater Council
has slightly changed the agreements which were listed in "Calling the Circle." Discussion
with any Greater Council member should help with understanding the
intentions of these agreements. Also, Chapters 4 and 6 [of the
fourth edition] provide insight into the agreements. The first edition
presents the agreements on page 202.
These principles were adopted by consensus of the Greater Council
on August 11, 2002.
Format
of a Circle of Living Spirit Greater Council Meeting
- Attendees physically sit in a circle.
- The Host greets those gathered.
- Open the circle.
The Host leads the opening ritual to separate sacred council space
from social space.
- An altar is set up in the center.
- A candle is placed on the altar.
- The Talking Stick is placed in the center of the circle.
- The invoking of council circle may also include:
- The Host may choose to pass smudge or a bowl of water around
the circle to help those gathered to focus.
- The Host may share a story with the group.
- The Host may lead the council in three deep centering breaths.
[See page 70, fourth edition, for one example of this practice.]
- When all are focused, the Host asks for a volunteer to act as
Guardian. Volunteer states intent to be Guardian of the Council.
[The role of the Guardian is explained on pages 75-76 and page 215
of the fourth edition.]
- The Host passes the Talking Stick for a brief checking-in.
- The Host announces the first agenda item.
- When discussion on a topic seems to be complete, the Host will
verify there are no questions and request a vote. Voting will be
by thumb-up, thumb-down, no-thumb, or thumb-sideways. Voting no-thumb
or thumb-sideways will mean that the person abstains or does not
choose to vote on the issue. Note: this is a different definition
than the one given in the book.
- At any time, even if that particular Council format is not being
held as a Talking Stick Council, anyone may pick up the Talking
Stick.
- Greater Council will release the circle by joining hands, standing
in silence for a moment and then sharing a prayer. Either the Host
or Guardian, or another previously determined, can offer this prayer.
- Following the prayer, all return to silence, releasing each other's
hands. Host blows out candle.
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