Before your team can “GO” to your Summer Friendship Gatherings (SFG), you first need to “Get Set”. We need to train, and then plan for the event.

To help your team train for the event, we have scheduled two in-person training opportunities. We also updated our Summer Friendship Gathering Video training that is available on our website.

We ask all the Friendship Gathering leaders to make sure their teams take advantage of these training opportunities. The Connection Ministries’ team looks forward to seeing everyone and helping your Gathering be both safe and inspiring for our friends with disabilities.  

Your teams can attend one of our in-person sessions. But, if you are unable to attend, you group can also get together as a team to view and discuss the videos that apply to your individual roles.   

In–Person Training
Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church                               Monday, April 25                         6 p.m.
3535 Kessler Blvd. East Drive
​Indianapolis, IN  46220

College Park Church                                                   Wednesday, May 4,                    6 p.m.
2606 W 96th St                                                              (East Room)
Indianapolis, IN 46268

* Dinner will be served. All volunteers attending need to RSVP to connect@connection-ministries.org by April 20, so we can prepare adequate printed materials and food.

Video Training

Good News! There are 20 SFG training videos, but you won’t need to view them all. Below is a list of videos you should watch for the specific role you will be serving in.  

Registered Volunteers
Role – Companions (includes all volunteers who will interact with friends with disabilities)
    2022 SFG Theme
    2022 SFG Preparing for the Discussion Group
    2022 SFG Discussion Group Activity, Day 1
    SFG Volunteer
    SFG Registration
    2022 SFG Event Schedule

Role – Large Group Lesson Teachers
    2022 SFG Theme
    2022 SFG Large Group Lesson Tips
    2022 SFG Preparing Large Group (for your lesson)
    2022 SFG Large Group Lesson Sample (for your lesson)
    2022 SFG Object Lesson (for your lesson, Day 1 and 2)
    The videos for Companions

Role – Discussion Group Leaders
    2022 SFG Preparing for the Discussion Group
    2022 SFG Discussion Group Activity, Day 1
    2022 SFG Crafts and Activities.
    The videos for Companions

Role – Worship Music Leader
    2022 SFG Worship Leader

Role – Worship Service Pastor/Teacher
    2022 SFG Theme
    2022 SFG Large Group Lesson Tips
    2022 SFG Preparing Large Group (for Day 3)
    2022 SFG Large Group Lesson Sample (for Day 3)

Support Volunteers
Role – Facility Planning
     SFG Facility Planning
    2022 SFG Event Schedule

Role – Registration
    SFG Registration
    2022 SFG Event Schedule

Role – Food Service
    SFG Food Service
    2022 SFG Event Schedule

Photography and Publicity
SFG Photography and Publicity   
2022 SFG Event Schedule