Christian Advocacy and Social Justice

Christian Advocacy and Social Justice go hand-in-hand with the Christian faith. Core to our faith is the call to be people of justice for all people, both domestic and global. The PC(USA) has a history of advocacy since the days of abolition which continues today as we work for the elimination of cash bail, the separation of families and deportation of refugees. This workshop will explore the work of the church through the Office of Public Witness in Washington DC, in presbyteries and congregations through a scriptural lens.

Leader: Jimmy Hawkins is the Director of the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC.

Killing Church Softly and Reviving Church Loudly!

Lifelong Discipleship Formation takes more than education. It requires a commitment by the whole congregation to support and include everyone. We’re inviting you into a conversation in which we’ll explore the impact our focus on Christian Education and gatherings tailored to specific ages and stages of life has had on the cohesion and identities of our congregations. Drawing from national research and conversations, we’ll share with you how building an intergenerational worshiping community where all are engaged, can re-root our children and youth in our faith identity and invigorate the whole gathered body of Christ we call a congregation.

Leader: Brian Frick is the Mission Associate for Formation and Camp and Conference Ministries.

“Just” Church

Sometimes justice work is viewed by churches as an “extra-curricular activity.” We will examine how an outward-looking church is a justice-minded church and craft an understanding of what the church looks like when it is intentionally anti-oppression.

Leader: Denise Anderson is the Coordinator for Racial and Intercultural Justice for the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Theology & Praxis of Intercultural Communities

What set apart the Christ-following-communities from other religious groups was their “intercultural” make up. It was the first truly intercultural & international community/institution, and for Paul this creation of a tightly-knit family from different people was the power and purpose of Christ’s work. To be a vital church is to be an intercultural ecclesia/assembly. We will root ourselves in the why (theology) of intercultural community, and how (praxis) we can grow in the discipleship of loving in midst of differences.

Leader: Samuel Son is the Manager of Diversity & Reconciliation for the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

The Least of These: Engaging Presbyterians in the Work of Preventing and Alleviating Poverty

This workshop will examine poverty in the US context and how it affects us all. Attention will be given to issues such as living wages, homelessness, education, healthcare, mass incarceration and how each intersects with race, class and gender. Using biblical perspectives of justice, this workshop will also equip participants with missional strategies to engage the issues in their local communities through direct action and advocacy. The workshop will also include an activity designed to encourage relationship and community building among participants for networking together in addressing the issues of poverty, equity, and systemic change.

Leader: Alonzo Johnson is the Coordinator for Self-Development of People for the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Evangelism: The Shift from Bad Word to Good News

Evangelism is good news. Mark’s Gospel begins with these words, “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah.” Evangelism is not a tool to grow our churches and to reach people to fill our pews. Evangelism is the good news of God’s love in Jesus that changes our lives and the life of this world. We are a sent people. We are sent to do justice and to share the hope we have in Christ. We will explore together the deep connections between discipleship, evangelism and justice.

Leader: Ray Jones is the Interim Director for Theology, Formation and Evangelism for the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Financial Sustainability Track

The Financial Sustainability track offers a number of presentation/discussion sub-tracks to help those involved with New Worshiping Communities understand finances, construct budgets, attract grants, foster giving, raise money and find partners. Sub tracks include:

• Tapping Presbyterian resources – accessing grants available through 1001.
• Creating a culture of generosity – developing committed givers by developing committed disciples.
• Becoming a fundraiser – finding donors and asking for funds.
• Developing vital partnerships – creating financially beneficial relationships with established congregations.
• Managing finances –receiving funds, basic accounting highlight, budgeting and managing risk factors.
• Fundraising challenges in immigrant communities and communities of color – best practices.
• Personal finance – Managing your financial life.

Leaders:

• Simone Adams-Andrade, Budget Coordinator, TFE
• Elizabeth Brookens-Sturman, Founding Pastor of Brambleton Presbyterian Church, Brambleton, VA
• Scott Gore, in-fusion
• David Loleng, Presbyterian Foundation
• Tim McCallister, Mission Program Grants
• Jon Moore, Mission Engagement Advisor, PMA
• Paul Rock, Second Presbyterian Church, Kansas City
• Rev. Tega Swann, Founding Pastor and Teaching Elder of Refreshing Springs Ministry

Hospitality Track

Won’t you be my neighbor? Mister Rogers Neighborhood modeled to children the gift of loving each other just as we are. But hospitality is not just warm coffee or comfy couches. We want to think both theologically and practically about the gift of hospitality in our worshiping communities, especially for those who have historically felt un-welcomed in our sacred spaces. Join us as we ask questions like: what are best practices for healthy systems and right boundaries in the practice of hospitality that will allow all of God’s children to feel they belong? We will be hearing stories from folks doing this work in radical, creative, imaginative ways.

Convenors:
Rev. Jeff Eddings – 1001 NWC Coaching Associate
Rev. Libby Tedder Hugus – The Table, Casper, WY

Panelists:
Dr. Bethany McKinney Fox – Beloved Everybody Church, Los Angeles, CA
Rev. Shanea Leonard – PMA Associate for Racial and Gender Justice
Rev. Letiah Fraser – Poor People’s Campaign, Kansas City, MO
Dave Lettrich – Director of Bridge to the Mountains, Pittsburgh, PA
Johanna McCune Wagner – 2MI People, Caritas Presbyterian Fellowship

Leadership Track

Starting and sustaining a new worshiping community can never be a solo act. One of the most significant vital signs of a healthy community is when participants increasingly take ownership of the community and become leaders. To achieve this, your community needs a clear pathway for participants to be inspired and equipped. In this track, you’ll see several examples of how new worshiping communities and supporting agencies are developing leaders. After learning from some of the 1001 movement’s most effective leadership developers, you’ll also be given space and assistance in creating a leadership development plan for your new worshiping community.

Leaders:

• Karen Rohrer, Director of Church Planting Initiative, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
• Sean Chow, Associate for Training and Western Region, PMA
• Michael Gehrling, Associate for Assessments and the Northeast Region, PMA

Lectionary and Liturgies Track

What about worship?

How does your community walk through the year in worship? Lectionary? Liturgical seasons? Responding to happenings in community and culture?

Let’s put some thought to how leaders guide the work of the people in worship. Through an afternoon of working together, participants can expect to go home with new ideas, transformative questions, and fresh practices for planning the year.

Leaders:

Rev. Abby King-Kaiser, Associate Director, Dorothy Day Center for Faith and Justice and Organizer of Common Ground New Worshiping Community
Gabi Lisi, Nine Month Apprentice, M.Div student at Union Theological Seminary