An Introduction to Christian Yoga
Laurie Bailey, presenter

This workshop will use Nancy Roth’s CD An Introduction to Christian Yoga.  On this CD Roth provides introduction to the practice of yoga as a Christian discipline of prayer, followed by a series of short exercises that are clearly explained.  A time of relaxation and meditation on a short biblical text rounds out the session.  Beginners as well as those who practice yoga but wish to incorporate it into their life of prayer are most welcome.  Please wear comfortable clothes.     

Help!  I’m New: The Christian Ed. Director’s Toolbox
Wendy Barrie and Jeffri Harre, presenters
No need to panic!  Wendy and Jeff will guide you through your first steps and introduce you to the resources available to you as you plan, implement and develop a joyful and enriching program of Christian Formation.  We’ll provide basic booklists and sample “church school” forms, help you with recruiting and training teachers, and give you ideas to integrate children and youth into parish life and worship.

Children’s Chapel: Turning a Thorn into a Rosebush
Sabrina Evans, presenter
I have never been a fan of Children’s Chapel.   I believe children should be in church with their parents.  However, my present church really, really wanted a good Children’s Chapel.  So, how did that thorn turn into a rosebush?  This workshop will address the following:  Making space work, The Children’s Liturgy – What Can They Do?, and Interaction of prayer and worship.

“Work”shop Space for Self-Care
Jenifer Gamber, presenter
Spend 90 minutes quietly exploring ways to nurture your soul through prayer.  Resources, manipulatives, books and materials will be on hand to learn about a variety of prayer practices with the opportunity to string and pray with Anglican prayer beads, write illuminated prayer cards, pray with icons, pray in color, create a mandala, and enter into your own space of prayer.  Participants will leave with an annotated bibliography of books and resources that can guide you in establishing a rhythm of prayer and care for the soul and that you can share with all people of all ages in your congregation.
             

Focus: Living Into Effectiveness and Efficiency     
Emily Given, presenter
Ministry calls upon many parts of oneself – the formation specialist, the pastor, the financial manager, the mediator, the juggler, the janitor and more.  At times these parts may seem in conflict with on another.  Finding a focus, cultivating a style, and maintaining a clear sense of role are several ways that one can do his/her best work and achieve the greatest sense of accomplishment.  In this session, we will share the challenges and opportunities of ministry to bring to light the new (and renewed) ways one can attain a higher level of efficiency and effectiveness in life and ministry.  It will also be a time to polish your existing skills as well as add a few more to your ministry “toolbox”.

Abiding in the Vine: Spiritual Autobiography in Community
Jeffri Harre, presenter
Living in Christian Community means being able to share our stories.  A part of Christian tradition from the earliest days, a spiritual autobiography is one way of articulating your story.  Together we will explore some ways of writing and sharing your own spiritual autobiography.

Keeping Up With the Times Without Sacrificing Quality
Lisa Kimball and Lori Daniels,  presenters
How do we sustain healthy Christian education ministries in an ever-changing world?  What happens when your budget gets cut, or people are so busy it’s hard to recruit volunteers or maintain program attendance?  What are the hidden blessings in times of transition and struggle?  This workshop will present ideas and proven practices to assess your situation, build on the strengths and opportunities in your congregation/context, and share stories of success!  It is designed to help refocus your energy and resources for vibrant faith formation across the life span.

Youth Ministry Today: Navigating Statistics, Trends, and Popular Culture for the Sake of the Gospel
Lisa Kimball
There is more information about teenagers in the public domain today than ever before.  To what extent does all that data help or hinder ministry development?  There are more youth ministry resources on the market than ever before.  What works in what contexts?  This workshop is designed to help build relevant, transformative, sustainable youth ministry for real kids in your congregations and communities.

Christian Educators and the Art of Caring Communication
7,10 Julie McCray-Goldsmith and Cathy Ode, presenters
As Christian educators, we’re often aware of difficult situations going on in the lives of parish families.  And we may find ourselves in situations that involve conflict or confrontation in our own workplaces.  It’s very helpful for Christian educators to communicate in non-reactive, caring ways.  Those without a strong background in counseling will find this workshop especially useful.  And all can benefit from strengthening skills for dealing with difficult, emotional situations in a caring and calm manner.

Faith Formation 2020: Exploring the Future of Christian Formation in Our Congregations
Sharon Ely Pearson, presenter
What will Christian Formation look like in 2020?  Many essential factors will determine a vibrant Christian formation program in the future.  Discover some of the research conducted by an ecumenical think tank, as we explore the scenarios that could impact our formation programs.  Using “Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation” passed at the 2009 General Convention we will apply these scenarios to determine how our churches can be places where we empower all to live a Christian life of meaning and purpose.

Restoring the Flow: Looking at our Baptismal Covenant
Polly Redd, presenter
Using the book Living Water: Baptism as a Way of Life by Klara Tammany, this workshop will explore water in our lives and our ministries.  We will look at the questions of the Baptismal Covenant thinking about how we might use it to help restore our own balance and perspective in life.  Each participant will hopefully leave renewed and refreshed by the Living Water, with instructions and materials to go home and create a small fountain for their own personal Sabbath space.

Parents in Conversation – How to Create A Sunday Morning Class for Your Parents
Debbi Rodahaffer, presenter
“Parents in Conversation” is a Sunday morning class for adults at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Louisville, KY.  This class began eight years ago out of a desire to have parents stay after church (rather than running to Target or to the grocery store) while their children were in church school classes.  It started as a gathering place for parents to talk about what worked for them in parenting.  It gave parents an opportunity to know one another and to know that they have wonderful gifts of parenting that they can share with one another.  Speakers from within our own congregation and from the community have turned it into a standing room only class on any given Sunday.  Learn how to begin this class and how to grow it.

Welcoming Children with Disabilities and Their Families into your Faith Formation Programs
Cindy Spencer, presenter
Each one of us is a special child of God, uniquely part of the Kingdom of God.  How is the child with special needs and their family welcomed into your particular faith community?  Many families with special needs children feel awkward or unwelcome in church.  We will talk about ways in which to invite and include all children into a lifelong journey of faith formation, as well as ways to equip your teachers and leaders.

Charting the Future of Faith Formation
Kate Gillooly, presenter
This past summer, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church passed a Charter for Lifelong Christian Faith Formation. This document affirms our call to see Christian Formation as a life-long process, and pledges support to congregations and dioceses as we seek to discern how best to live this out in our own ministry settings.
Together we will explore the Charter and how it relates to the joys and challenges of formation in our own congregations. We'll use aspects of the Appreciative Inquiry process, which helps us dream about the future and build upon the strengths and assets already in place. We'll assess our current situation, brainstorm opportunities for growth and challenge, and tailor it all to our corner of the vineyard. In addition to the big picture, we'll share practical strategies and resources for making it all happen. Bring your ideas, best practices and plans for the future of Formation as well as your questions and hopes.

Ministry in Media
Meg Wagner, presenter
In this workshop you will learn the basic technical skills to make short “movies” that you can use in your ministry to celebrate past events, advertise upcoming activities, or market the unique ministries your church has to offer.  These “movies” can be shown at annual meetings, during coffee hours, at conventions, or uploaded to YouTube, social media or websites.  Bring a CD with pictures and/or video clips from your ministry and a laptop with any movie making software.  We will have some laptops available for use during the class.  Suggested software for class: Windows Movie Maker (included free with most Windows computers), IMovie (Mac), or Pinnacle (either)