YEAR 7 RETREAT

“PENTECOST PEOPLE – MOVING AHEAD WITH SPIRIT”

IMPORTANCE OF RETREATS

• Time to be away from the classroom• A time to reflect on our years together• A time to reflect on myself and how I feel

about ‘moving on’• A time to give thanks for the abundance of

blessings that are mine to enjoy• A time to say ‘thank you’ – to each other, and

to God

WARM FUZZIES

• No put downs• If you can’t say

something nice don’t say anything at all

SESSION 1

REFLECTIONSWho am I?

What makes me tick?What are my hopes and

dreams?

ON THE COUCH

• After completing your sheet, share your answers with two people around you

• Why is this a valuable activity?

Choose a card based

on its words or

image

Take it back to

your place and look at

it – thinking

about what it means to you at this

timeIn pairs, tell ONE other person why you chose this card…

THE CLIMB

• Hannah Montana Miley musik video - The Climb.mp4

TIME FOR QUIET REFLECTION

• Find a space away from others• On the back of your ‘On the Couch’ sheet, you will

notice a shape of a body, with headings around it• Thinking about your time at primary school, begin

to jot down your thoughts, memories, feelings – IMPORTANT PEOPLE TO ME– THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS SCHOOL TO ME– IMPORTANT EVENTS/MEMORIES FOR ME

SHARING

• PAIR UP AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

THE TABLE CLOTH

• Share your memories• Groups of ten at a time• The remainder to write warm fuzzies

MORNING TEA

SESSION 2

“LETTING GO”

BEING CHRIST FOR OTHERS IN OUR OWN CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE

Lady_Gaga_Wants_Anti-Bullying_Law.mp4

WHAT HAPPENS WE IGNORE OUR OWN INSTINCTS?

Kate_Miller-Heidke_-_Caught_In_The_Crowd.mp4

DURING MY TIME AT SCHOOL – WHEN HAVE I NOT BEEN A TRUE FRIEND?

• When have I let others down?• When have I forgotten a friend?• When have I not stuck to what I

know is right?• WHO DO I NEED TO RECONCILE

WITH?

RITUAL OF RECONCILIATION

“COUNT ON ME”

• Count On Me - Bruno Mars Lyrics.mp4

LUNCH • DON’T FORGET TO WRITE WARM FUZZIES IF

YOU GET THE CHANCE!!

SESSION 3“PENTECOST PEOPLE – MOVING

AHEAD WITH SPIRIT”

“MOVING AHEAD WITH SPIRIT…”

• What does this mean?• The Story of Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-5, 25-28)

WISDOM UNDERSTANDING

RIGHT JUDGEMENT COURAGE

KNOWLEDGE REVERENCEAWE & WONDER

MAKE A FLAME FOR THE LITURGY

1 2 3

4 5 6

MAKING A BAND OF REMEMBRANCE

FOR THE CLOSING REFLECTION

• Please place your flame in the sacred space• Please have your bands of remembrance with

you

CLOSING REFLECTION

As we gather together, let us be mindful of this sacred place, this sacred time and this sacred company. We recognise God’s presence in our midst and light a candle to symbolise this presence in the burning flame.

WE GATHER~MOVING FORWARD WITH SPIRIT~

Moving On After Toy Story 3.mp4

OPENING PRAYER

Heavenly Father, With the gifts of the Holy Spirit may we be inspired to move into our futures with promise.May your spirit living inside us fill us with love,Forgiveness and understanding, helping us to become more like Christ your Son.Grant this through Jesus our Lord. Amen.

WE LISTEN(Philippians 4: 8-9)

A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.The word of the Lord.ALL: Thanks be to God.

WE SHARE

• Select a word of blessing and read it aloud.• “MY BLESSING FOR THIS GROUP IS…”

TYING OF THE BANDS OF REMEMBRANCE

• Select a person near you to assist them in tying on the band of the remembrance

• In turn they will do the same• Wish each other well for the journey ahead

CLOSING PRAYER

Loving God,We thank you for your many gifts so generously poured out, particularly during our primary school education. May our lives be pleasing for you and may we always share in your blessings, and live in your spirit, as we continue along our life journey.We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

WHEREVER I GO(Andrew Chinn)

While the song is playing, come forward one at a time and collect a

random flame to take with you to remind you of this day,

and to symbolise the spirit of this school and this group.

You are my familyI am who you areYou gave this life to meAnd love with all your heartYour love gave life to meMade me who I am We made this journey hand in hand

Wherever I am Wherever go you’ll always knowI’ll thank my God for you and all the love you’ve shownWherever I am Wherever I go I’ll always keep The love I have for you, and the love you gave to me

You are my friends; You shared the path with meYou walked with me, laughed with me, Shared all our dreamsYour love it lifted me, Together we now standWe made this journey hand in hand

Wherever I am Wherever go you’ll always knowI’ll thank my God for you and all the love you’ve shownWherever I am Wherever I go I’ll always keep The love I have for you, and the love you gave to me

You are my home,a place for me to growA place to love, to learn and to knowYour love it nurtured me, now I know I canWe made this journey hand in hand

Wherever I am Wherever go you’ll always knowI’ll thank my God for you and all the love you’ve shownWherever I am Wherever I go I’ll always keep The love I have for you, and the love you gave to me

You are my God, you always walk with meYou have always been, and you will always beYour love is my life, my life in your handsWe shared this journey hand in hand

Wherever I am Wherever go you’ll always knowI’ll thank my God for you and all the love you’ve shownWherever I am Wherever I go I’ll always keep The love I have for you, and the love you gave to me

COLLECTION AND READING OF WARM FUZZIES