Active Shooter Preparedness
This session will provide an overview of preparations to consider in your parish for an active shooter incident. You will learn about the basics of preparedness, discover resources available to help your parish prepare, and ask questions of an active shooter incident expert.
Facilitator: Tim Wagner
Ask the Bishop – Reunification Discernment Edition
Learn more about the efforts of the Reunification Discernment Committees and share your thoughts, hear from others, and ask questions about this important work.
Facilitator: The Rt. Rev. Kevin D. Nichols
Celtic Spirituality
This session introduces you to Celtic Spirituality, allows you to experience a variety of Celtic prayer forms, and provides you the opportunity to share your experiences with Celtic worship and prayer and ask questions.
Facilitators: The Rev. Laura Thomas Howell, Obl.S.B., Brother Matthew-Luke, Anamchara Fellowship
Daughters of the King Information Session
In this session you will hear about The Order of the Daughters of the King from a few members in the Diocese of Bethlehem, their call to this ministry, and ask questions about how this organization can expand your ministry and your parish’s ministry. Current and former members of the Daughters of the King are encouraged to attend this session to share their experiences. More information available: https://www.doknational.org.
Facilitators: Olivia Tramontana, Bonnie Kuronya
Financial Resources Available Now!
There are financial resources available to your parish for a variety of situations. Learn about Mission Resources Grants, Assessment Adjustment, Colt Sterrett Loans, and the “Long Name Society” grants, as well as share your experiences with finding financial resources locally or nationally.
Facilitators: Canon Steve Baker and Paula Lapinski
The Gift of Community Engagement
At the heart of our faith lies a call to be actively involved in the world around us. In this session, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from leaders who are making a difference in their communities and explore how you and your faith community can embrace and amplify the transformative power of community engagement.
Facilitator: Vincent Chrepta, Canon Sandy Milien, The Very Rev. Jon Stratton, Doreen Tobin, D. Ed.
Growing God’s Garden
In this session you will be introduced to the Growing God’s Garden program by Dr. Joshua Davis, a Creation Care effort based on permaculture design (building systems that connect rather than separate, reuse rather than consume, function broadly rather than specialize), and discover ways that parishes can incorporate these principles into their ministries.
Facilitators: The Rev. Andrew VanBuren, the Rev. Midge Pendergast
How Does Church Work?
Share your experiences serving on Vestry, hear from fellow Vestry members, and learn more about the ins-and-outs of Vestry leadership in this two-session presentation. This session is intended for current and hopeful Vestry members who have not yet participated in these sessions. Vestry members who have not yet attended this training are encouraged to register. Note: Double session
Facilitators: Canon Steve Baker, Sara Grady
Leaders & Liberators
“Leaders & Liberators” is a dramatic reenactment of the story inspired by observance of 111 years since the death of Harriet Tubman, famed Underground Rail conductor , who attended an imagined meeting in Cape May, New Jersey on Independence Day, 1872. Harriet Tubman met with Stephen Smith and William Whipper, courageous PA conductors and agents who led hundreds – possibly thousands — of formerly enslaved Africans to freedom through the network of the Underground Railroad, from the 1830s through the 1850s. They reflect on their experiences as abolitionists. The project, an outgrowth from the 2022 General Convention resolution encouraging every diocese to honor Tubman’s 110th death anniversary resulted in this impactful production by members of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and funded by a grant from the Province III.
Facilitators: TBD
Life in the Age: Being Honest about Heaven and Hell
Our practical conversations about heaven and hell are often influenced by TV, movies, and literature. But what do Christians actually believe about what happens when we die? Join us for this workshop where we identify common tropes about heaven and hell and talk faithfully about the hope we have for life with God in the age to come.
Facilitator: The Very Rev. Dennis Reid, Episcopal Diocese of Idaho
Mental Health First Aid Information Session
Come and learn about Mental Health First Aid, a powerful training program in the diocese that your parish may want to consider presenting to enhance the impact of its ministry. More information about this program available: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/what-you-learn.
Facilitator: The Rev. Michele Causton
Parochial Report Mysteries Explained
In this session you will learn more about The Episcopal Church’s Parochial Report, a canonically required annual report from your parish to the wider church. You will hear from parish leaders about this details of this report as well as share with other parish leaders your experiences in completing this important work.
Facilitators: Jim Harding and Paula Lapinski
The Power of Storytelling
Storytelling is foundational to our faith as it enables us to share and bear witness to the work of the Divine in our lives. In this interactive session, you will learn and practice different story-sharing techniques and explore how to incorporate these into your faith communities.
Facilitator: Canon Sandy Milien
“Rootedness”
Join the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force to delve beneath the surface of our lives and our church community to uncover the deep-rooted beliefs, biases, and systems that perpetuate racial injustice and hatred that divide us. Through thoughtful reflection and group discussions, we will discern what needs to be uprooted within ourselves and our communal spaces to pave the way for genuine reconciliation and building of the Beloved Community.
Facilitator: Judith “Judie” Dickerson, Racial Justice & Reconciliation Task Force Member
Reading Parish Financial Statements
No matter who you are or what role you’re serving in at your parish, understanding parish financial statements is important and sometimes confusing. In this session you will learn what to look for in these statements through an interactive session and discussion of a parish case study that will leave you more informed about how these statements can be used.
Facilitator: Jim Harding
Safe Church Information Session
Seeking an overview of Safe Church? Confused by Safe Church details? Wondering who at your parish should complete Safe Church certification? This session will answer these and other questions as well as your own questions about the Safe Church program.
Facilitator: Tim Wagner
Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross Information Session
In this session you will hear about The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross from a few members, their call to this ministry, and ask questions about how this organization can expand your ministry and your parish’s ministry. Current and former Companions are encouraged to attend this session to share their experiences. More information available: https://schccompanions.org/.
Facilitators: Pat Gaukler, Deb Baker
Treasurers Roundtable Discussion
Join a conversation of peers to discuss the challenges and opportunities you face in your ministry as a Treasurer. Please note: This session is intended for participants serving currently as their parish’s Treasurer.
Facilitators: Canon Steve Baker, Jim Harding
Wardens Roundtable Discussion
Join a conversation of peers to discuss the challenges and opportunities you face in your ministry as a Warden. Please note: This session is intended for participants serving currently as their parish’s Senior or Junior Warden.
Facilitators: Canon Steve Baker, Wayne Harley
What Really Makes us Episcopalians?
From sacraments to culture, scripture to common life, what are the truly unique traits of the Episcopal Church and Anglicanism when it comes to belief, practice, and congregational life? Come explore the life and theology of our tradition and the things that make us distinctively Episcopalian.
Facilitator: The Very Rev. Dennis Reid, Episcopal Diocese of Idaho
When Life Throws you a Curveball
As we experience life along its path, what are some of the ways you cope? We will discuss our experiences in dealing with both physical and spiritual challenges and invite participants to respond.
Facilitators: The Rev. Barb Gessner, the Rev. Betsy Sentigar