Contact
Malinda SpencerHeartland Presbytery
816-923-5486
education@heartlandpby.org
Embracing Hope walk-in registrations
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of
the Holy Spirit.”- Romans 15:13
Registration closed January 21. We will, however, accept walk-in registrations. Please bring a check for $30 made out to Heartland Presbytery. You will be asked to choose workshops. The descriptions are below, so that you can be prepared for your choices.
Thank you for supporting our event!
Embracing Hope is glad to welcome the Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Gradye joined the Office of the General Assembly in 2000. A native of Tennessee, he served congregations in Newport and Bristol, Tennessee, for 15 years before becoming the executive presbyter and stated clerk of Holston Presbytery in 1994. He was elected stated clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) in 2008. The executive position includes interpreting the Book of Order, the church's constitution, serving as the denomination's chief ecumenical officer, and organizing meetings of the General Assembly. Gradye graduated from the University of Tennessee and received his Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. He did postgraduate work at Columbia Theological Seminary and was ordained in 1979 by Holston Presbytery.
Enjoy Gradye's monthly articles at http://www.pcusa.org/blogs/stated-clerks-column/
In addition to being our keynote speaker, Gradye will be offering ruling elder training workshops in 1B and 3B. See the descriptions below.
We are also glad to welcome the Rev. Dr. Philip Butin, leading "Why We Are Stronger Together."
Rev. Dr. Philip W Butin serves with his wife Janet as Co-Pastor of First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, AR. From 2002-2010 he was President and Professor of Theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books and numerous articles on the Trinity, John Calvin, the Reformed tradition, Christian theology, and Christian worship.
7:30 registration opens/continental breakfast
8:30 gathering
9:00 workshop 1
10:15 workshop 2
11:15 lunch and conversation options
12:30 workshop 3
1:30 snack/dessert
1:45 keynote and worship
3:15 Take hope back to your church!
Participant costs are $30 per person, but if your church registers five people by Thursday, January 15, a sixth person can attend free.
CMD will offer child care during the three workshops. You must, however, register the child(ren) by Wednesday, January 21. The cost will be $15. Paste this address into your browser to register for child care at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7stinjdab&oeidk=a07ea43m1vlcad0b434
Workshops block 1 1A Preaching to the right (brained) -- Post modernism has been dubbed the rise of the right brain. News outlets, schools and companies utilize wonderfully creative and interactive ways to share their message. Yet in the church, we tend to rely on Sunday morning lectures to share the most dynamic message ever! Come share and hear examples of how we better incarnate God's creativity. Paul Rock and Meg Swagerty serve and create together at Second Presbyterian Church. Meg is the director of children's ministries and Paul is the senior pastor. Both received their undergraduate degrees in education and are passionate about communicating Jesus' message in ways that connect with the diverse minds and hearts of God's children.
1B Dangerous Elders, the good kind -- Are you tired of going to session meetings and talking about leaky roofs and budgets? Do you sense that being a Ruling Elder should be about more spiritual quests? Come join a discussion on how the be a dangerous elder in a good way. Gradye Parsons has been the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, and the Chief Executive Officer for the Office of the General Assembly (OGA), since July 2008. Gradye has over 15 years experience as a pastor and has served in two different congregations in Tennessee. Repeated at 3B.
1C Why we are Stronger Together -- In a time of social turmoil in which some are seeking to leave our church, we will focus on ten biblical, theological, and practical reasons to redouble our commitment to one another as the one body of Christ. Rev. Dr. Philip W Butin serves with his wife Janet as Co-Pastor of First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, AR. From 2002-2010 he was President and Professor of Theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books and numerous articles on the Trinity, John Calvin, the Reformed tradition, Christian theology, and Christian worship. Repeated at 2C.
1D Incorporating Creative Drama--Have you ever been WOWED by the use of drama in your worship/class/presentation? The use of creative dramatics can be powerful and memorable. Allowing your imagination, and the creativity of your intended audience or participants is a tool to keep pulling out of your toolbox. Come improvise with us and learn how to use drama in new ways. Kim Ratliff is a member of Village Presbyterian Church, in Prairie Village, Kansas. She currently serves as a Deacon and has participated in their Drama Ministry. Kim is a veteran classroom teacher, and has a background in theater. After graduating from KU, Kim attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
1E Training Volunteers to be Prepared 4 Special Needs--We'll offer best practices for training volunteers and trouble-shooting so to engage kids of difference ages and stages with autism and special needs. Stephen "Doc" Hunsley is the Special Needs/People Care Pastor for Grace Church in Overland Park, KS. Doc started the SOAR Special Needs Ministry in 2011, helping it to become a hallmark ministry for the church, which now ministers to over 300 families in the metro. Doc is a retired pediatrician, former Children's Pastor, & Special Needs parent.
1F Accounting in the Cloud--Learn about the features and benefits of the cloud-based management accounting tools including QuickBooks Online, Bill.com, and Cubby. Brian Hathhorn is financial administrator for Heartland Presbytery.
1G Engaging New Members--How do new members become active members? In this workshop, we will: learn how one congregation is doing so through membership training, common commitments, and a shepherding program and consider ways to get and keep members engaged in ministry that can help your own congregation. Michael McCall is pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Lee's Summit. For 27 years, he pastored Hillsboro Presbyterian Church in Oregon that steadily grew in numbers and in participation; launching several separate ministries and building a new facility.
Workshops block 2 2A Renewing the People's Song--In a culture that rarely sings - our worshipping communities need help to find their voices and to discover the joy and power of singing in church. This workshop will model fresh ideas for engaging our congregations in more fervent, passionate song. Although not a sales-pitch for the new PC-USA Hymnal, it will be the featured songbook of the event. Mark Ball is in his 14th year as Director of Music Ministry at Village Presbyterian Church. A major focus of his work there has been the enlivening of congregational song. He frequently serves as teacher and clinician in this area of musical leadership.
2B Homeland Security Initiatives in the Faith-based Community—Consider elements of a security plan for your congregation’s physical location, including safety for children, background checks of volunteers, and protecting the pastor. Rick Goins is the Protective Security Advisor for the Missouri district of the US Department of Homeland Security.
2C Why we are Stronger Together—See 1C for description
2D Church in a Box: Regular Place into Sacred Space--What makes a space sacred? Worshipful? Can we transform secular space into sacred space? Can it feel like church without pews, organ and stained glass windows? We'll explore how to do 'Church in a Box' by transforming our own classroom space into worshipful space and exploring what we really need to 'do' worship. Sarah Butler is a pastor, painter and poet who currently serves as interim pastor of Trinity Presbyterian in St. Joseph. Trinity is a church on the move, redeveloping and currently worshipping in a hotel conference room.
2E Pastoral Care and Listening Skills--This workshop will cover basic listening skills in a pastoral care setting, punctuated by examples of what it looks like to listen for the message behind what is actually said aloud. We will talk about how to guide and be guided in pastoral care, as well as some do's and don'ts of body language and phrases we sometimes use in attempt to console. Kristin Austin serves as chaplain for Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care. Kristin felt a call to chaplaincy and pastoral care as a youth, especially hearing people's life stories, praying with them, and sitting with them as they process life's difficulties and joys. She worships with Central Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, MO.
2F Training for Clerks of Sessions--An opportunity especially for "new" clerks of sessions to learn about their role and responsibilities. Sally Hinchman is the stated clerk of the presbytery. She has served as a DCE, Associate Presbyter in New Covenant Presbytery, General Presbyter for the Presbyteries of Nevada, Sacramento & Stockton and as an Interim Presbyter for the Presbyteries of Shenandoah and then Florida. She is retired and excited about being back in the KC area where she grew up.
2G Online Giving--The way Americans give is changing and offering online giving is one avenue of giving that congregations need to consider offering. We will discuss the benefits of online giving and how to implement and integrate it into your overall giving program. Lisa Tait Longo is a Ministry Relations Officer with the Presbyterian Foundation. She has worked with congregations in the areas of stewardship and planned giving for the past eleven years and has worked in nonprofit management and giving for the past 23 years.
Workshops block 3 3A Introducing World Music into Worship--Whether your congregation sings from The Presbyterian Hymnal, Sing the Faith, or Glory to God, world music is becoming more and more a part of worship. It is important that we include music from other languages and cultures and there are some simple ways to introduce it for the first time. Rev. Karen Wagner is the Interim Associate at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village. She plays trombone, guitar, and djembe. She sees music as a way for us to experience cultures and languages different from our own which serves to deepen our understanding of God.
3B Dangerous Elders, the good kind—See description for Session 1B
3C Leaving a Spiritual Will and Legacy--What are spiritual legacies and spiritual wills? Participants will explore ways to pass along their values and commitments to their children and grandchildren through various types of writing after discussions about what has shaped those values and shaped their very souls. Bill Tammeus, a former Kansas City Star columnist, writes the daily "Faith Matters" blog on The Star's website as well as columns for The Presbyterian Outlook and The National Catholic Reporter. He's an elder at Second Presbyterian Church of Kansas City.
3D What Does Evangelism Look Like Today? Will your community notice if your doors closed today? How can the church fulfill the great commission in a way that resonates with the human heart. People get Jesus, but they hate the Church. How do we effectively share the Gospel in a world that's tired of institutionalized religion? Ryan Kapple, his wife and four kids came to Leawood seven years ago, where 12 little old ladies attended worship each week. 125 kids and 250 adults now gather and scatter weekly in Leawood.
3E God in a Hurting World--This session will deal with the question of "How do we understand God and relate to God in a world where suffering and evil seem so pervasive?" This session will explore God's plan for humanity and the attributes and character of God revealed in His plan. Dr. Borden's book, "God in a Hurting World" will serve as a framework for the journey. John Borden is an honorably retired Presbyterian minister who was called to the ministry while a CEO in banking. John and his wife, Peg, reside in Leawood, Kansas, and attend Village Presbyterian Church.
3F The Practice of Peacemaking--As a society we put our faith in violence. We might not like it, but we believe, when push comes to shove, that violence works. We see it as an acceptable method for achieving justice. Interestingly, most of us reject nonviolence as doing nothing or impractical, though we are increasingly surrounded by evidence of its effectiveness. Steve Iliff is Dean of the School of Professional Studies at Avila University and faculty member teaching Peace Studies, Conflict Resolution and Mediation in both Avila's traditional undergraduate program and adult Advantage program.
3G Cultivating Legacy Giving--Just over 30% of annual charitable giving goes to religion. The number drops to around 5% for estate giving. Legacy giving can provide an income stream for extra mission or to address stated needs. It can provide financial stability. We will discuss how to cultivate legacy giving and how to build confidence and success in a legacy gift program. Lisa Tait Longo is a Ministry Relations Officer with the Presbyterian Foundation. She has worked with congregations in the areas of stewardship and planned giving for the past eleven years and has worked in nonprofit management and giving for the past 23 years.