REACH more than smoke signals: social media 101 This workshop will be a basic overview of the strengths of social media (focusing on Facebook and Twitter) as a tool for building on- line community. Particular attention will be given to the importance of engagement, the most successful types of content/communication, and the skills needed to produce them. Based on audience experience, the content level can be upgraded as needed. Time offered: morning and afternoon Reverend Mark Sandlin is the Minister at Vandalia Presbyterian Church. He blogs Huffington Post, Sojourners & The God Article. Mark uses social media across many platforms including Facebook, Twitter, podcasts, blogging, and more. songs that sustain: learning the new hymnal Are you wondering about the new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God? Excited? Nervous? This is your chance to explore the richness of the hymnal, new and old, and learn the exciting ways it can be utilized (like the Glory to God app). And yes, what s a hymnal workshop without a little singing? Time offered: Morning only Sally Ann Morris is Director of Music at Parkway Presbyterian Church and Chapel Musician at Wake Forest University School of Divinity in Winston- Salem, NC. She is also a hymn tune composer with tunes in many denominational hymnals, including the new Glory to God hymnal. She also has a new CD with author Adam Tice entitled Walk in Peace. surprises in the forest: church growth With church growth, it really boils down to culture: the culture of the church in question, the surrounding community, and a church s leadership. How do we change the culture of people and place? It takes tools God has put in place since Creation and catching up with what God's already doing. Format: Conversation and Hands- on The Rev. David Ealy is currently serving as Pastor at Hawfields Presbyterian Church in Mebane. He has 13 years helping people with their personal faith development and helping churches see "around the corner." He's led workshops on church growth for the Synod of the Mid- Atlantic as well as served with the Church Growth Committee in three Presbyteries. And he's field- tested a lot of ideas.
signs on the road: church communications Get the inside scoop on how to put together attractive and informative print materials (flyers, brochures, postcards) and tips on when to use them. We ll also look at websites, enews, and what makes a good bulletin announcement. Feel free to bring any church publications to look at and practice with during the workshop. Format: Lecture, conversation, hands- on The Rev. Jo Nygard Owens is the Associate Pastor at Guilford Park Presbyterian in Greensboro. Prior to serving there, she spent two and a half years as the Communications Coordinator for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro. And yes, she put together the flyers and brochures for this event. (You can learn how to do it too!) traveling companions: campus ministry and your church What attracts young adults to a particular ministry? How can local congregations support campus ministries within the presbytery? What can churches learn from campus ministries about young adults and their needs and dreams for the church? Join a conversation with representatives from local campus ministries as we discuss these topics and more. Format: Workshop The Rev. Kevin Conley has been involved with campus ministry in Salem Presbytery for 9 years and parent of two college age children. Special guests who are active campus ministers and students in campus ministry in Salem Presbytery will be joining in the conversation as well. EQUIP training your guides: officer training and theoacademy Tired of officer training that focuses on tasks instead of building on one s sense of call? Join Steve as he shares some exciting new initiatives in our denomination to put our church s elected officials in the best position possible to help congregations fulfill their call to build God s kingdom on earth! Joining us by Skype will be Landon Whitsitt, former vice- moderator of the PCUSA and developer of Theoacademy. This workshop is designed for: Everyone Time offered: Morning only Steve Lindsley is the Senior Minister at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. When Steve is not being a pastor, or sermonizing, or songwriting/gigging, or keynoting/leading music for various retreats and conferences, or blogging, or running and swimming, or playing pick- up
basketball with his two sons and letting them win, or cheering on his favorite Carolina Panthers, or watching music competition reality TV shows with his lovely wife, it probably means he s sleeping. digging new wells: the new presbyterian women For more than 200 years, Presbyterian Women has had a mission, a voice and a place in the church. It is this legacy of devotion to God and the church that is the strong foundation for our continuing mission to take Christ into every area of life in twenty- first century. Presbyterian Women exists today because women are adaptable, determined, proactive, charitable, generous and dedicated to God. But will we exit tomorrow? We must build upon this legacy to be a voice of love and care for all women in today s world. Format: Hands on group study and discussion Time offered: afternoon only Dr. Y. Dianna Wright is the Associate Presbyter for Equip and African American Ministries for Salem Presbytery. Dr. Wright is a graduate of the Presbyterian School of Christian Education and Columba Theological Seminary. She serves the church as curriculum writer for These Days devotions and most recently the Bible Study called God s Unity Our Journey. She is committed to the ministry of education and using creative ways to teach the gospel story. She believes that we must find a way to strengthen one another as we together build up the one Body of Christ and serve our Living Lord. campfire stories: older adult ministry This workshop will host a gathering of leaders who are interested in developing a network that is committed to the welcoming, supporting and resourcing older adults as they continue to serve faithfully the church they love. We will talk about the changing church and how the presbytery, as a whole and in neighborhoods, can encourage older adults to participate at every level of the church while meeting their needs and utilizing their talents. Format: Conversation, hands- on Time offered: morning only Dr. Y. Dianna Wright is the Associate Presbyter for Equip and African American Ministries for Salem Presbytery. Dr. Wright is a graduate of the Presbyterian School of Christian Education and Columba Theological Seminary. She serves the church as curriculum writer for These Days devotions and most recently the Bible Study called God s Unity Our Journey. She is committed to the ministry of education and using creative ways to teach the gospel story. She believes that we must find a way to strengthen one another as we together build up the one Body of Christ and serve our Living Lord. reading the map: practical tasks for ministry When you are asked to moderate a Session meeting, a committee meeting, or a Board meeting these helpful guidelines will build your confidence. Often times seminary fails to equip us with
basic skills, so we need to build our skill base along the way. Come learn the ways of Roberts Rules of order, as recommended by the best of the PCUSA. This workshop is designed for: Pastors Format: Conversation and hands- on The Rev. Dr. Genie Martin is the Pastor of Springwood Presbyterian and has served as moderator of Salem Presbytery. She has led countless session meetings and other church events. seeing the fire: discerning a call to ministry Vocational discernment is a process that includes hearing a call from God, hearing that call within, and having that call confirmed by others. Whether you are discerning a call from within or recognizing a call in others, join in this conversation to learn more. The Rev. Kathryn Campbell is Associate Pastor at Starmount Presbyterian Church in Greensboro Prior to her call to Starmount, Kathryn served as Coordinator of Children, Youth, Young Adult, and Family Ministries at a church in Roseville, Minnesota. In her spare time, Kathryn enjoys playing soccer and watching sports of all kinds, as well as spending time with her husband, Austin, and their daughter, Avis. She currently serves on the Committee for Preparation for Ministry in Salem Presbytery. children in the wilderness: child abuse awareness The goals of the workshop will be: To inform about the extent of the problem of child abuse nationally and in North Carolina. To describe how the programs of Grandfather Home and Barium Springs address these problems and help children heal, thrive, and have hope for the future. To share how local congregations can help prevent child abuse and support programs to address the consequences of child abuse in their communities. Mae Weed is the Director of Church Relations Grandfather Home for Children & Volunteer Coordinator. Lorie Fees is the Development Officer and Church Liaison for Barium Springs Home for Children. Both Lorie and Mae work for Christian agencies whose work is to help abused children heal from their abuse and learn the skills they need to overcome their behavioral problems. They can share about the full range of services available to children and families seeking to heal from the consequences of abuse.
packing for the journey: christian education in small churches What do you need to take on your journey through the wilderness? We will explore the practical aspects of doing Christian Education in the small church: youth ministry, children s ministry, Sunday School, building community and more. Format: Conversation Mandy Ealy is the Director of Christian Education at Hawfields Presbyterian. She has an MA in Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary (1999). She s worked in youth ministry both as a volunteer and professionally for more than 15 years at churches in Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia. wilderness worship: using the psalms as worship The Psalms have a long history of use in our faith from the days of Solomon s Temple to the secret weapon of the Reformation to modern day uses lifted up in our Book of Common Worship. This workshop will share a wealth of resources and explore creative and practical uses of the psalms in worship, personal use, and special settings such as a Lenten Labyrinth. This workshop is designed for: Educators, pastors, and teachers Format: Lecture, conversation, hands- on Will Heyward is the pastor of Mount Jefferson and graduated from Union Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in the late 1980's. He was a camp director at Cedarkirk in Lithia, Florida for three years and has and served churches in Virginia for twenty- one years before coming to North Carolina in 2012. SEND finding your way back home: preaching the gospel The average person receives 5000 messages a day. But we Christians know the most important message is the gospel. Looking at Holy Scripture, memory study, neuroscience, and modern advertising for clues, how might we make the gospel more memorable for people who desperately need to hear it and remember it? Though this workshop focuses primarily on preaching, there will be material applicable for all persons who proclaim and listen to the gospel.
The Rev. Dr. Jeff Paschal, Pastor of Guilford Park Presbyterian, graduated from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) where he received the Master of Divinity degree and was co- recipient of the E. T. George Award for excellence in homiletics, worship and public speaking. In 2006 he completed a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Currently he writes a monthly Town Square column for the Greensboro News & Record newspaper. Journey inward and outward: spirituality and justice This workshop will focus on the connection between the outward journey of social justice activism and the inward journey of deepening our relationship with God. We will talk about the need for both the inward and the outward journey, if we are to do the work of God here on earth, as it is in heaven. There will be practical real life examples of making these connections through prayer, fasting and giving to the poor. Frank Dew is the founding (and current) pastor of New Creation Community. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Duke Divinity School. Frank served as pastor of the Vandalia Presbyterian Church of Greensboro for six years before beginning New Creation. He has also served on the Greensboro Human Relations Commission; the boards of Habitat for Humanity, Family Life Council and the Greensboro Urban Ministry. He was instrumental in developing the Presbyterian Pilgrimage movement. Frank presently serves part time as Chaplain at the Greensboro Urban Ministry. funding the walk: ways to develop and strengthen congregational stewardship Begin or strengthen stewardship in your congregation with practices and teaching tools that can be used to help your congregation understand and practice generous giving as an integral part of their discipleship. Time offered: Morning only Beth Utley is the Director of Christian Formation for Forest Hills Presbyterian, and has served on Salem Presbytery s stewardship task force. walking the road together: asheville youth mission What is mission really all about? What is the difference between doing mission and being the eyes, hands, and feet of Christ? This workshop will discuss the various aspects of mission and Christian service, using the example of Asheville Youth Mission as a model for engaging in the community in Christ s name.
This workshop is designed for: Pastors, Educators, Volunteers Format: Lecture, conversation, hands- on The Rev. Bill Buchanan is the Director of Asheville Youth Mission, a place where mission, creativity, and transformation are happening with young people.