FRIDAY WORKSHOPS
Morning Sessions
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Incorporating Pilgrimages into Your Everyday Life. Not everyone can hike the Camino, but many people are still interested in seeking out the benefits of a pilgrimage. How can your church or group of individual parishioners create pilgrimages closer to home?
Becoming Beloved Community in Southwest Florida. Our past is part of who we are. Knowing and understanding our past helps us heal and move forward. The Diocese of Southwest Florida established the Committee for Race and Reconciliation – Becoming Beloved Community — to accomplish just that mission. Our workshop is designed to help parishes and their members and friends begin or enhance their own racial healing work. Topics to be included are Becoming Beloved Community program, Sacred Ground, Dismantling Racism Training, and Resources and ideas for parishes and individuals.
Non-Profit Leadership Lessons You Can Apply to Your Congregations. Non-profit organizations are experts at finding volunteers, raising awareness, and generating donations for their cause-based missions, what tools can we take from their playbook and apply to our churches to build a brighter future for our congregations?
10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
What is Your Calling? God calls each of us to serve in unique ways. This workshop focuses on non-ordination callings, particularly the vital roles of lay leaders in ministry. Learn how to discern your spiritual gifts and understand the significance of your contribution to worship and community leadership. Through guided reflection and group activities, this session will help you listen more closely to God's call and empower you to step confidently into your ministry role.
¿Cuál es tu llamado? Dios nos llama a cada uno de nosotros a servir de maneras únicas. Este taller se centra en los llamados que no implican la ordenación, en particular en los roles vitales de los líderes laicos en el ministerio. Aprenda a discernir sus dones espirituales y a comprender la importancia de su contribución a la adoración y al liderazgo comunitario. A través de la reflexión guiada y las actividades grupales, esta sesión lo ayudará a escuchar más atentamente el llamado de Dios y lo capacitará para asumir con confianza su rol en el ministerio.
Healing Produces Growth. Sometimes it takes a storm to show what needs healing, what needs to grow again, to show weaknesses underneath the structure needing to be replaced, and even what needs to be made new. We discover suffering and growth can coexist in the process of healing and we are stretched, becoming more resilient, as we heal and grow as the body of Christ.
Broadening the Invitation: Diversifying our Music, Demystifying our Bulletins. In this workshop, we will explore how we can "open up" our church music and our church bulletin to be positive aids to those new to our tradition, and use examples of best, and not-so-best, practices. We will also look at some tools that can help with music selection and bulletin preparation, which can be very helpful when "thin" church staffing, or limited musical talent in a small congregation, is more and more the norm.
Bishops' Panel
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
The Rt. Rev. Douglas Scharf will be joined by the Rt. Rev. Dorothy Wells of the Diocese of Mississippi, the Rt. Rev. Moisés Quezada Mota of the Diocese of the Dominican Republic and the Rt. Rev. Griselda Delgado del Carpio, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Cuba for an exciting panel about the future of the church.
Afternoon Session
2:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
How Artificial Intelligence and Process Automation Tools Can Optimize Church Leaders Time. In today's fast-paced world, church leaders often find themselves overwhelmed with administrative tasks, scheduling, communication, and data management. To focus more on your core mission of ministry and pastoral care, it is essential to leverage modern technology. This workshop will explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Process Automation tools tailored specifically for church leaders.
Creating a Focus-Driven Mission: Connect your church’s mission and gifts with a community-centered people group, problem, or need your congregation can support. This workshop will highlight the benefits of aligning your financial contributions with volunteer time, creating a holistic approach to giving back. Discover methods for selecting the right focus area, engaging your congregation, and making a lasting impact through spiritual and congregational growth.
Using Church-Owned Land to Care for Environment and Neighbor. In 2018, General Convention passed Res. D053: Stewardship of Creation with Church-Owned Lands, which affirmed that church-owned land holds the potential for ecological benefit, community healing, and ministries of discipleship and evangelism. Wise land care and use can proclaim the gospel, conserve biodiversity, grow community health, create new relationships, and address historic injustices. Come experience some of the many ways your church can use its land for good.
