Creating A Lifetime’s Family Diagram (Genogram) Part 1

Genogram Part 1: Creating A Lifetime’s Family Diagram

Through our families of origin we learn to be friend, spouse, parent & co-worker; and our previous generations influence everything from language to mannerisms. Creating & exploring a family diagram or genogram expands a basic understanding of relationship systems and helps identify our patterns of behavior. Participants agree to mutually demonstrate trust, acceptance, kindness, confidentiality, grace, openness, honesty and challenge in order to create shared space safe enough to be brave, heard & seen.

To learn more

Have questions? Please contact:
Naomi García
Associate Director for Connectional Ministries
[email protected]
(517) 347-4030

Want to see more?

Click here to view more Connectional Ministries Team Coming Atractions!

Visit the Family and Organizational Systems page.

Presenters

Patty Dennis Bio, Lay Leader
I have always been drawn to the helping professions and a curiosity to understand why we behave the way that we do. I began my professional life as a teacher and concluded my educational career as licensed professional counselor. While heavily involved in my church, I was approached about becoming trained as a mediator. Fortunately, I said yes! I have since participated in Lombard Mennonite Peace Center’s Clergy Clinic (now called Leadership Development Through Family Systems),

trained as a congregational resilience facilitator, church unique facilitator, healthy congregation’s facilitator and a coach. Throughout all this, my continued development and understanding of family systems has been extremely helpful on a very personal and professional level. Simply put, it can change your life and all your relationships! I am so passionate about it that I have co-facilitated family systems groups for the past several years. I love family systems because it has helped me bring my best “self” to my family and my facilitating. Family systems is a journey, not a short destination. I look forward to co-facilitating with Tim as we have worked together in Family Systems settings before. I hope you will join us!

Tim Wright Bio, Michigan Conference Elder Retired
I participated in the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) Clergy Clinic nearly20 years ago, which set me on a journey into Family System. It has continued to empower me to become more fully, the me who God is creating me to be. I have continued to participate and/or help facilitate Family Systems peer groups regularly since then.

Along the way I have received training by Healthy Congregations, Inc. and I am participating in on-going training as a part of the MiConference Congregational Resilience catalysts team; available to work with conflict ministry settings. I learn and grow best in peer learning settings which is what motivates me to co-facilitate this group. I enjoy an informal style with just enough structure to keep us moving forward. I look forward to co-facilitating with Patty as we have worked together in Family Systems settings before.

Naomi García, Associate Director for Congregational Vibrancy, change, systems, conflict…4 good.
- Accompanying Michigan United Methodist’s since 1989.
- Professional Education: Master of Arts, Christian Education; certifications as a Professional Coach (International Coaching Federation), Team Coach (Team Coaching International), Coaching Supervisor (European Mentor and Coaching Council); meditation trainer authorized by both the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center and Healthy Congregations, Inc.

- Colleague, trainer and supervisor of MI Conference faculty of coaches, family systems consultants and workshop facilitators, and Congregational Resilience catalysts (mediators)
- Family systems theory is my starting place for constructively address conflict.

Rev. Alice Fleming Townley, Consultant. Coach. Community Organizer
Being an ongoing learner of family systems theory gives me a wider perspective in navigating change, conflict and culture in groups. I have studied systems theory for years with Naomi GarcÍa, peer groups, the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, and Healthy Congregations, Inc.

I have pastored in rural and college town churches and served on the Conference faculty and staff. As a Congregational Resiliency catalyst, I’ve drawn from systems theory in responding to church conflict and designing workshops. I am an ordained elder in the Michigan Conference United Methodist Church, Executive Director of The Fleming Townley Collaborative, and part of the Ministry Incubators Team.

WHAT

• Complete session preparation assignments.
• Participate in various groupings for reflection & dialogue.
• Interact responsively to exercises, questions & conversations.
· Create &/or update your genogram.
• Explore how and where family patterns show up.
· Learn how to gain & share insights through genogram stories from other learners.
· Decide how to continue applying genogram insights.

*Be prepared for Genogram Part 2: Finding Oneself in the Lifetime’s Family Diagram on the 2nd Thursday January-May 2025 from 12:30-2:30 PM ET/11:30-1:30 PM CT.

WHO

Everyone searching for a relational way of knowing the connections between what’s obvious & what’s cloaked in important relationships. Because every moment matters with every loved one.

WHEN

Join us mid-day each Thursday in October and November beginning October 10 to November 21, 2024 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM ET/11:30 AM to 1:30 PM CT.

COST

This event is FREE to attend.

WHERE

Secure your virtual spot and receive a Zoom link upon registration.

Last Updated on October 2, 2024

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