Around the Table Coach Training at Highlands Camp
A Message from Neema:
I had the incredible opportunity to bring together 20 dynamic leaders for an Around the Table Coach Training at the beautiful Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center in Allenspark, Colorado, August 20-23, 2024. We gathered from across the nation—California, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Puerto Rico—to orient coaches to the purpose, goals, and cohort plan of the Office of Christian Formation Around the Table Initiative. This initiative focuses on coaching faith leaders to support faith formation within households.
I am excited to share that our diverse team of coaches is now prepared to guide their cohort groups of faith leaders spanning from over 20 states across the nation. The coaches were introduced to digital tools designed to share and house materials and resources for their seven online sessions. The cohorts will be coached in using six Sabbath Practices to help parents, caregivers, and grandparents develop natural habits and easy-to-adopt daily routines, supporting children and youth in their practice of following Jesus amidst the busyness of family life and the challenges of today’s world.
Additionally, I am pleased to share that we will have Spanish-speaking coaches leading intentionally small cohort groups, ensuring participants receive guidance in a culturally comfortable and familiar language. We also have coaches who speak other languages available for faith communities needing instruction in languages other than English.
Coaches also received valuable training in team coaching standards, facilitated by Rev. Dr. Barbara Wilson. Dr. Wilson, an accredited ICF (International Coaching Federation) Trainer, leadership consultant, and coach trainer, works with leaders, leader teams, congregations, and denominations to enhance congregational vitality for ministry and mission impact.
We learned that Team Coaching is about empowering groups by providing essential tools and techniques for collective success. In the context of Christian Formation, this means that teams, consisting of leaders from faith communities, are guided toward their goals. For our Around the Table coaches, this involves helping faith leaders focus on fostering faith and nurturing families in their daily Christian walk.
Aside from the dense materials covered, coaches had plenty of time to explore the incredible grounds of Highlands, which overlook the stunning Longs Peak. This mountain, the northernmost fourteener in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and the highest point in Boulder County and Rocky Mountain National Park, was a constant reminder of the enduring majesty of God’s beautiful creation. The 14,259-foot peak served as a breathtaking backdrop to our meeting room.
We were all thrilled to be there, and we even had a visit from a bull moose—a term I learned for a male moose! It was incredible to witness these magnificent creatures enjoying their uninterrupted life on the Highlands grounds. I’m just glad we didn’t encounter a local bear during our stay!
Rev. Neema Cyrus-Franklin
Project Coordinator| Around the Table
