The Greater Council of the Circle of Living Spirit
The
Greater Council of the Circle of Living Spirit is open to members of the Circle who are willing to serve the church and the community through leadership. Voting is limited to members in good standing. Greater Council meetings and associated community gatherings are scheduled as needed.
Foundation for the Greater Council of Living Spirit
The Greater Council of the Circle of Living Spirit meets in council using the following principles. Decisions by the Greater Council are made by consensus of those in attendance with Spirit holding the center of the council. The Greater Council can add to these concepts and modify them, by agreement. Many of these principles are adapted from Calling the Circle, the First and Future Culture by Christina Baldwin. We are grateful for the tools she provided.
Principles of Greater Council
Practices of Greater Council
Basic Agreements of Greater Council
Agreements [Covenants] of Greater Council
Format of a Circle of Living Spirit Greater Council Meeting
Foundation for the Greater Council of Living Spirit
The Greater Council of the Circle of Living Spirit meets in council using the following principles. Decisions by the Greater Council are made by consensus of those in attendance with Spirit holding the center of the council. The Greater Council can add to these concepts and modify them, by agreement. Many of these principles are adapted from Calling the Circle, the First and Future Culture by Christina Baldwin. We are grateful for the tools she provided.
Principles of Greater Council
- Although the host is often the leader, leadership can rotate to another person.
- Responsibility is shared.
- The center is held by reliance on spirit.
Practices of Greater Council
- Attentive listening.
- Intentional speaking.
- Conscious self-monitoring.
Basic Agreements of Greater Council
- What is said in the circle remains in the circle.
- We listen to each other as witnesses, not passing judgment.
- Each person asks for what s/he needs and offers what s/he can.
- Whenever uncertain or in need of a resting point, we agree to fall into silence, and wait for guidance.
Agreements [Covenants] 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 support s/he wants and needs.
- 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.
Format of a Circle of Living Spirit Greater Council Meeting
- Attendees should 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. The altar can be set up prior to the beginning of the meeting.
- 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 following.
- The Host may choose to pass smudge or a bowl of water around the circle to help those gathered to cleanse and focus.
- The Host may share a story with the group that centers attention on the topics to be discussed.
- The Host may lead the council in three deep centering breaths.
- When all are focused, the Host asks for a volunteer to act as Guardian; volunteer states intent to be Guardian of the Council meeting.
- 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.
- At any time, anyone may pick up the Talking Stick.This is permitted even if that particular Council is designated as a Talking Stick Council.
- 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 hands, and the host blows out the candle.