There will be two sessions of workshops offered on Thursday, June 20. Please check out the descriptions below for more information. Note: Classroom sizes are limited. If a session becomes full, we will ask you to make another fabulous choice to learn from one of our creative and talented leaders. Find out more about our workshop leaders.
June 20, 10:30 am
Becoming Beloved Community:
Practical Strategies for Racial Healing, Reconciliation, and Justice (offered twice)
Join the Rev. Charles “Chuck” Wynder for an in-depth engagement with Becoming Beloved Community: The Church’s Long Term Strategic Commitment to Racial Healing, Reconciliation, and Justice Making. As one of the members of The Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop’s staff charged with leading this work throughout the church, Chuck+ brings his experience, collegiality, and sense of humor to the task of engaging the challenging and yet rewarding work of racial reconciliation and justice making. This workshop will provide background, frameworks, and practical strategies for deepening this ministry in your local context.
Practical Strategies for Racial Healing, Reconciliation, and Justice (offered twice)
Join the Rev. Charles “Chuck” Wynder for an in-depth engagement with Becoming Beloved Community: The Church’s Long Term Strategic Commitment to Racial Healing, Reconciliation, and Justice Making. As one of the members of The Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop’s staff charged with leading this work throughout the church, Chuck+ brings his experience, collegiality, and sense of humor to the task of engaging the challenging and yet rewarding work of racial reconciliation and justice making. This workshop will provide background, frameworks, and practical strategies for deepening this ministry in your local context.
Transitions: The Art of Saying Goodbye
From the moment a campus minister meets a student, it should be remembered that it will not be so very long before we will say “Good-bye” to them. A deep appreciation for the sacred nature of transition rests at the very heart of the ministry to and with university students. Learning to say “Good-bye” is essential to being a campus minister. It is also a wonderful skill to pass on to the young and eager students who bring such joy to our lives and the ministries we serve. This workshop will explore the biblical roots of faithful departure and allow us to share strategies.
From the moment a campus minister meets a student, it should be remembered that it will not be so very long before we will say “Good-bye” to them. A deep appreciation for the sacred nature of transition rests at the very heart of the ministry to and with university students. Learning to say “Good-bye” is essential to being a campus minister. It is also a wonderful skill to pass on to the young and eager students who bring such joy to our lives and the ministries we serve. This workshop will explore the biblical roots of faithful departure and allow us to share strategies.
The Power of a Story
The ELCA Youth Gathering values sharing people’s stories and connecting them to God’s story, using their participants’ stories as a part of faith formation. Join leaders of the Gathering to learn best practices of storytelling, including mentoring others to tell their story. Come and share ways your ministry is telling stories to build faith, or come with questions about how to effectively communicate story or why this might be a value for your ministry. Facilitated by Molly Beck Dean.
The ELCA Youth Gathering values sharing people’s stories and connecting them to God’s story, using their participants’ stories as a part of faith formation. Join leaders of the Gathering to learn best practices of storytelling, including mentoring others to tell their story. Come and share ways your ministry is telling stories to build faith, or come with questions about how to effectively communicate story or why this might be a value for your ministry. Facilitated by Molly Beck Dean.
Bridging the Divide: There’s Only Us
Join UND Christus Rex Pastor Chad Brucklacher for a conversation on social change built around a new video called, "There Is Only Us."
"There Is Only Us" is a powerful way to address how we can live better together. Featuring photographer and peace activist John Noltner's memorable stories, powerful images, and sincere storytelling, this video will open the door to honest dialogue about empathy, civility, and inclusion.
In an increasingly polarized world, photographer John Noltner drove 40,000 miles across our country asking people of diverse backgrounds the simple question, "What does peace mean to you?" The responses will inspire, challenge and engage.
"There Is Only Us" was created to encourage conversation about difficult issues. It is a thought-provoking and inspirational film reminding us that we are more alike than different. Featuring timely stories, John's authentic style highlights the importance of being more inclusive. This community-focused program offers a safe place and process to have challenging, but necessary, conversations on ways to create a more empathetic culture.
Join UND Christus Rex Pastor Chad Brucklacher for a conversation on social change built around a new video called, "There Is Only Us."
"There Is Only Us" is a powerful way to address how we can live better together. Featuring photographer and peace activist John Noltner's memorable stories, powerful images, and sincere storytelling, this video will open the door to honest dialogue about empathy, civility, and inclusion.
In an increasingly polarized world, photographer John Noltner drove 40,000 miles across our country asking people of diverse backgrounds the simple question, "What does peace mean to you?" The responses will inspire, challenge and engage.
"There Is Only Us" was created to encourage conversation about difficult issues. It is a thought-provoking and inspirational film reminding us that we are more alike than different. Featuring timely stories, John's authentic style highlights the importance of being more inclusive. This community-focused program offers a safe place and process to have challenging, but necessary, conversations on ways to create a more empathetic culture.
Minding the Gap
The Crossing is a grassroots, do-it-yourself church based in ancient practices with today's voices. Finding their voice in the crossing of Boston's transiency, ministry is meant to change constantly. So how do they stay grounded amidst change? How do they find stability in ministry when they don't know what it will look like? It comes down to Jesus, radical welcome, and giving power away. Come and see what the Spirit creates in the midst of transition.
The Crossing is a grassroots, do-it-yourself church based in ancient practices with today's voices. Finding their voice in the crossing of Boston's transiency, ministry is meant to change constantly. So how do they stay grounded amidst change? How do they find stability in ministry when they don't know what it will look like? It comes down to Jesus, radical welcome, and giving power away. Come and see what the Spirit creates in the midst of transition.
Building Unity in the Christian Church With Young Adults
In this workshop, Kelly Fassett, founder and director of UniteBoston, will share the journey of starting a non-profit that bridges historic divides in the Christian faith for united prayer and collaborative service in Greater Boston. This ministry has incorporated hundreds of young adults in their summer worship night and neighborhood dinners. She will offer key recommendations for leaders in other contexts who are seeking to nurture unity-focused initiatives and bridges between the church and the community.
In this workshop, Kelly Fassett, founder and director of UniteBoston, will share the journey of starting a non-profit that bridges historic divides in the Christian faith for united prayer and collaborative service in Greater Boston. This ministry has incorporated hundreds of young adults in their summer worship night and neighborhood dinners. She will offer key recommendations for leaders in other contexts who are seeking to nurture unity-focused initiatives and bridges between the church and the community.
Decision-Making from the Soul
How do we align ourselves with God’s most lovingly generous purpose for us? How do we attune ourselves to Her guidance, helping us to design creative steps forward? How do we sustain our bravery and faith when we feel lost, or when our choices and lives don’t conform to what others (or parts of ourselves) define as success?
In this interactive presentation, you’ll learn two core elements of the Decision-Making from the Soul practice: (1) how to imagine and draw courage from a group of trusted individuals: your “thriving circle” and (2) how to skillfully listen to the wisdom of your intellect, body, emotions, and Being and creatively design decisions that will allow your whole self to flourish. (Being is at the heart of the Decision-Making from the Soul practice. With the help of mystics, poets, and our group’s experience, we’ll explore how this sacred center expresses itself within us.) You’ll receive workbooks that will allow you to bring what you learn in this session to the young adults you serve. My goal is to support you in helping them reduce their stress and self-doubt and gain clarity and bravery as they discern their unique paths forward.
How do we align ourselves with God’s most lovingly generous purpose for us? How do we attune ourselves to Her guidance, helping us to design creative steps forward? How do we sustain our bravery and faith when we feel lost, or when our choices and lives don’t conform to what others (or parts of ourselves) define as success?
In this interactive presentation, you’ll learn two core elements of the Decision-Making from the Soul practice: (1) how to imagine and draw courage from a group of trusted individuals: your “thriving circle” and (2) how to skillfully listen to the wisdom of your intellect, body, emotions, and Being and creatively design decisions that will allow your whole self to flourish. (Being is at the heart of the Decision-Making from the Soul practice. With the help of mystics, poets, and our group’s experience, we’ll explore how this sacred center expresses itself within us.) You’ll receive workbooks that will allow you to bring what you learn in this session to the young adults you serve. My goal is to support you in helping them reduce their stress and self-doubt and gain clarity and bravery as they discern their unique paths forward.
June 20, 1:15pm
Creating Community for Queer Christians
Learn more about the creation, successes, and struggles of creating the community "Queer For Christ" spoken about during Mikah's morning presentation. Followed by an open Q&A time!
Mikah Meyer has recently completed his 3-year road trip to all 418 National Park Service sites. As an ELCA campus pastor's son and former employee of America's National Cathedral, Mikah is also the founder of "Queer For Christ," an ecumenical fellowship of young-adult, LGBT followers of Jesus. His passions for travel and ministry intertwine as a guest preacher and singer for churches from Nebraska to New Zealand, along with speaking at colleges and companies across North America.
Learn more about the creation, successes, and struggles of creating the community "Queer For Christ" spoken about during Mikah's morning presentation. Followed by an open Q&A time!
Mikah Meyer has recently completed his 3-year road trip to all 418 National Park Service sites. As an ELCA campus pastor's son and former employee of America's National Cathedral, Mikah is also the founder of "Queer For Christ," an ecumenical fellowship of young-adult, LGBT followers of Jesus. His passions for travel and ministry intertwine as a guest preacher and singer for churches from Nebraska to New Zealand, along with speaking at colleges and companies across North America.
Faith and Politics/Civil Discourse
We’re losing the art of engaging in difficult conversation with those who have views different than our own. Drawing from excerpts of The Episcopal Church’s Civil Discourse Curriculum, we’ll explore the role civil discourse plays for creating better and richer policy and legislation in the U.S. federal government, and how you can use civil discourse to become better advocates for change in your own community. This workshop will help you both as an individual improve your own practices of engagement and equip you with resources to use in your ministry to get others engaged too.
We’re losing the art of engaging in difficult conversation with those who have views different than our own. Drawing from excerpts of The Episcopal Church’s Civil Discourse Curriculum, we’ll explore the role civil discourse plays for creating better and richer policy and legislation in the U.S. federal government, and how you can use civil discourse to become better advocates for change in your own community. This workshop will help you both as an individual improve your own practices of engagement and equip you with resources to use in your ministry to get others engaged too.
Exploring Bible Study Practices in Contemporary Contexts
Participants will be exposed to a variety of contemporary Bible Study practices that students and young adults are engaging with using social media, in person meetups and experimental settings. Attendees are invited to bring their own recent successes and provide a digital/shareable document that can be added to materials shared with conference attendees. (send contributions to [email protected])
Participants will be exposed to a variety of contemporary Bible Study practices that students and young adults are engaging with using social media, in person meetups and experimental settings. Attendees are invited to bring their own recent successes and provide a digital/shareable document that can be added to materials shared with conference attendees. (send contributions to [email protected])
Building Ecumenical Partnerships
Why go it alone? At this session we will discuss how ecumenical partnerships can help us truly be the Church in our context. Casey and Brad help guide discussions through what it means to work within ecumenical settings, and how one goes about setting these agreements up. Please come with any questions or topics of intrigue you may have!
Why go it alone? At this session we will discuss how ecumenical partnerships can help us truly be the Church in our context. Casey and Brad help guide discussions through what it means to work within ecumenical settings, and how one goes about setting these agreements up. Please come with any questions or topics of intrigue you may have!
Becoming Beloved Community:
Practical Strategies for Racial Healing, Reconciliation, and Justice (offered twice)
Join the Rev. Charles “Chuck” Wynder for an in-depth engagement with Becoming Beloved Community: The Church’s Long Term Strategic Commitment to Racial Healing, Reconciliation, and Justice Making. As one of the members of The Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop’s staff charged with leading this work throughout the church, Chuck+ brings his experience, collegiality, and sense of humor to the task of engaging the challenging and yet rewarding work of racial reconciliation and justice making. This workshop will provide background, frameworks, and practical strategies for deepening this ministry in your local context.
Practical Strategies for Racial Healing, Reconciliation, and Justice (offered twice)
Join the Rev. Charles “Chuck” Wynder for an in-depth engagement with Becoming Beloved Community: The Church’s Long Term Strategic Commitment to Racial Healing, Reconciliation, and Justice Making. As one of the members of The Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop’s staff charged with leading this work throughout the church, Chuck+ brings his experience, collegiality, and sense of humor to the task of engaging the challenging and yet rewarding work of racial reconciliation and justice making. This workshop will provide background, frameworks, and practical strategies for deepening this ministry in your local context.
The Power of a Story (offered twice)
The ELCA Youth Gathering values sharing people’s stories and connecting them to God’s story, using their participants’ stories as a part of faith formation. Join leaders of the Gathering to learn best practices of storytelling, including mentoring others to tell their story. Come and share ways your ministry is telling stories to build faith, or come with questions about how to effectively communicate story or why this might be a value for your ministry. Facilitated by Molly Beck Dean.
The ELCA Youth Gathering values sharing people’s stories and connecting them to God’s story, using their participants’ stories as a part of faith formation. Join leaders of the Gathering to learn best practices of storytelling, including mentoring others to tell their story. Come and share ways your ministry is telling stories to build faith, or come with questions about how to effectively communicate story or why this might be a value for your ministry. Facilitated by Molly Beck Dean.
Pop Up Workshop
This space is intentionally left open to allow for open space conversations and a workshop that may come organically from those gathered for the conference.
This space is intentionally left open to allow for open space conversations and a workshop that may come organically from those gathered for the conference.