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Summer Friendship Gathering Training

These training materials have been developed for all the roles needed for the Summer Friendship Gathering. Some volunteers will fill a single role while others may be fill multiple roles. The videos below have been arranged by specific roles that include all volunteers, volunteer companions, teachers, crafts, activities, service projects, worship leaders, food service, and facility planning.

All Volunteers

All volunteers include volunteers who will participate in the Summer Friendship Gathering with their friends with disabilities and volunteers filling support roles.

Why Summer Friendship Gathering? 

In this episode Don Boden gives an introduction and shares a story of why Summer Friendship Gatherings are important to everyone involved.

This video is intended for all Summer Friendship Gathering volunteers.

2024 Summer Friendship Theme Overview

This episode gives a preview of this year’s Summer Friendship Gathering theme and lessons, “He is Worthy.” We will study how God called Moses to lead His chosen people, the Israelites, out of slavery and into the promised land. Every step of the way God showed Moses His worthiness through His Holiness, His Power, and His Love. This video is intended for all Summer Friendship Gathering volunteers.

Registration 

This episode explains the importance of registration, the volunteers who need to register, those who do not.

This video is intended for all Summer Friendship Gathering volunteers.

Event Schedule Update COMING SOON!

Discussion Group Leaders and Volunteer Companions

Volunteer companions are any volunteers who will participate in the Summer Friendship Gathering with their friends with disabilities. The small group discussion, craft, activity and service project information is important for the discussion group facilitators and the volunteer companions who participate in discussion groups.

Summer Friendship Gathering – Volunteer Companion

In this episode we offer a vision for the characteristics of a Volunteer Companion. Throughout the Gathering the Companion’s relationship with our friends with disabilities can give a glimpse of the heart of God.

This video is intended for the Summer Friendship Gathering leadership and all volunteer companion teams.

2024 Preparing for Small Group Discussions 

This episode explains the Discussion Group time, which takes place after the Large Group Lesson. We offer tips for preparing the discussion group time for Days 1 and 2 of the Gathering.

This video is intended for those volunteers leading the Discussion Groups, as well as any companion who will be participating in the Discussion Groups.

2024 Crafts, Activities, and Service Projects COMING SOON!

In this video we demonstrate some optional service projects, crafts, and activities that be used during small discussion group time.

This video is intended for the Summer Friendship Gathering Leadership team, volunteers leading the service projects, crafts, and activities, and volunteers participating in small group discussions.

Large Group Lesson Leaders

Large Group Lesson Leaders plan and teach the Bible lesson on Days 1, 2 and three. This section provides resources that include, Large Groups lesson tips, a teacher’s guide, PowerPoint lessons, sample lessons, object lessons, and skits. The day 3 lesson is taught as the message for the closing worship service. 

2024 Large Group Lesson Tips

This episode offers tips for preparing the large group Bible lesson for all three days of the Gathering.

This video is intended for the teachers leading the large group Bible lessons.

2024 Preparing Large Group Lesson, Day 1 

This episode offers Biblical insights for preparing the Large Group Bible Lesson for Day 1.

This video is intended for the teachers leading the large group lessons at the 2024 Summer Friendship Gatherings.

2024 Large Group Lesson Sample – Day 1

In this Bible study “He is Worthy”, we learn about our God who is Holy, Powerful and Loving. In this first episode we followed the life of Moses to understand that we have a Holy God who is worthy of all our worship and praise.

2024 Preparing Large Group Lesson, Day 2 

This episode offers Biblical insights for preparing the Large Group Bible Lesson for Day 2.

This video is intended for the teachers leading the large group lessons at the 2024 Summer Friendship Gatherings.

2024 Large Group Lesson Sample – Day 2

In this Bible study “He is Worthy”, we learn about our God who is Holy, Powerful and Loving. In this second episode we followed the life of Moses to understand that we have a powerful God who is worthy of all our worship and praise.

2024 Preparing Large Group Lesson, Day 3

This episode offers Biblical insights for preparing the Large Group Bible Lesson for Day 3.

This video is intended for the teachers leading the large group lessons at the 2024 Summer Friendship Gatherings.

2024 Large Group Lesson Sample – Day 3

In this Bible study “He is Worthy”, we learn about our God who is Holy, Powerful and Loving. In this final episode where we followed the life of Moses to understand that we have a loving God who is worthy of all our worship and praise.

2024 Object Lesson, Day 1
COMING SOON!

This video is intended for the teacher preparing the Day 1 Large Group lesson.  

2024 Object Lesson, Day 2

This episode demonstrates the object lesson “God’s Power” for Day 2.

This video is intended for the large group leader for day 2.

2024 Object Lesson, Day 3
COMING SOON!

This video is intended for teacher preparing the Day 3 Large Group lesson.  

Photography and Publicity

Summer Friendship Gathering – Photography and Publicity 

In this episode, Don Boden explains the importance of photography and publicity and photography tips to raise the awareness for your Friendship group and the Summer Friendship Gathering in your church.
This video is intended for the Friendship or Gathering leadership teams, the photography, and publicity teams.

Worship Leadership

2024 Worship Leadership

In this episode we offer ideas for preparing the worship time leading into the large group lessons on Days 1 and 2. We also summarize the plan of having the Day 3 Bible lesson led as the message during the worship service.

This video is intended for the volunteers who will be planning the worship songs for the 2024 Summer Friendship Gathering.

Facility Planning

Summer Friendship Gathering – Facility Planning 

In this episode we provide valuable information to help you plan the spaces needed for the three days of the Summer Friendship Gathering.

This video is intended for the volunteers on the Friendship and Gathering Leadership and Facility planning and setup teams.

Food Service

Summer Friendship Gathering – Food Service 

In this episode Jackie Schaefer discusses the dynamics of the Summer Friendship Gathering fellowship meal, facility requirements, and funding possibilities, also emphasizing the importance of the schedule, menu, and special dietary needs.

This video is intended for the Summer Friendship Gathering leadership and food service teams.