Oasis 2016

Breathe. Learn. Relax.

Oasis is for everyone in the church who needs a space to refresh themselves. Oasis is for everyone who needs to draw on a well of new ideas.  Oasis is for everyone who wants to serve God more deeply and more fully.  Join us in Kansas City for this regional educational event and for a chance to take a deep breath.  This year in keeping with the topic of Sabbath, we have built the schedule with time included for personal reflection or unstructured time for you.     #sabbath     

Breathe in the Spirit of Sabbath.         

Learn about new ideas to recharge.          

Relax and let God be at work in you. 

Sunday
3:00 Hotel check in

5:00 pm Registration

6:00 pm Reception

7:00 pm Opening Worship and Keynote  Lee’s Summit – Carbon Copy – music

Monday

6:00-9:00 am Breakfast on your own

9:00-9:45 am Sabbath time

10:00 – 11:15 am workshop block 1 

 Labyrinth at Heartland Center  Sign up for this workshop to spend time at Heartland Center's medieval Chartres Replica labyrinth. This time is yours, set aside to have a silent time in prayer and contemplation. Directions will be provided to Heartland Center and Oasis volunteers will work to set up carpool opportunities for all who sign up for this workshop time. Plan to leave the hotel around 8 or 8:30 to give yourself travel time and time to accomplish your purpose. #ancientfaithpractice 

Creative Liturgy  How  do we craft liturgy to break through and grab our attention in the midst of too many words scrolling in our faces and too many voices in our ears? How do we craft participatory worship elements to create space to encounter and converse with God? We will explore different approaches to writing liturgy for all seasons with a focus on Advent. Rev. Jenny McDevitt is Associate of Pastoral Care at Village Presbyterian in Kansas. She also writes liturgy and introduced large-scale art into worship space. She loves to tell stories and help others discover how they fit into God’s story. She received her M.Div from Union Presbyterian Seminary and a Creative Writing degree from Kenyon College. #creativeliturgy

Suicide Awareness/Prevention with Youth  Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in youth. Suicide is preventable! Learn how you can Be-A-Link!® and save a life.  Chris Hansen has worked with Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention and in ministry for over 17 years. He is currently serving as a National Trainer and Board Member for Yellow Ribbon.  #YellowRibbon #ItsOKToAsk4Help

Church for All Ages  Church is not a place we go or something we do; it is who we are. All of us. This workshop explores how young and old contribute to the community of ministers. Specifically, we will look at children’s participation in the worship service, and how integrating them into the worshiping life of the community benefits the whole congregation.  Kara K. Root is pastor of Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, a Christian community shaping life around worship, hospitality and Sabbath rest. She is a trained Spiritual Director, Teaching Elder and Certified Christian Educator in the PCUSA.   She's written for Sparkhouse, Working Preacher and Patheos, and blogs at inthehereandnow.  Kara is the keynoter for this year's event. #churchforall

Children Worship & Wonder is an exciting way of approaching faith formation with children by providing them the opportunity to hear Bible stories and form responses out of their own life experiences. They learn the meaning of church traditions and participate in worship practices. We will talk about our children's relationship with God and how we are helping develop spiritual practices.  We will practice being in a special place with God, to listen to God, to talk with God, and hear the stories of God. Lisa Engelken is a pastor in the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, and regularly leads training on this learning method.  #children #worship #wonder

12:00 pm Lunch

2:15-3:30 pm Workshop block 2

Spirituality Center  As Oasis is intended to be about self-care and sabbath as much as learning and fellowship, sign up for this workshop space to explore the great Spirituality Center that we have on site here at the hotel. Use this time and space to experience quiet time and get ideas for what you might take back to your church with you. Our Spirituality Center was organized by Holly Samborski (First Presbyterian Church, Lee's Summit, Missouri) and Cathy Broockerd (John Knox Kirk, Kansas City, Missouri). #timetoslowdown

Conflict Management  Everyone encounters conflict! Beginning with a biblical approach to the topic, this workshop will focus on practical steps to take in addressing conflict, whether it be with colleagues or church members. Participants will also identify their conflict management style and receive a helpful list of resources for future use.  Rev. Dr. Deborah Boucher-Payne, an experienced presenter on conflict management and mediation, has served as a teaching elder for 26 years. She currently serves as the General Presbyter in Missouri Union Presbytery and has served both suburban and rural congregations, as head of staff and solo pastor.  #productivemanagement

Teaching Children the Language of the Church Theology, words about God, is the language of the church. Theological terms can be confusing, but they can also be boiled down to basic definitions that children can understand.  When children gain this vocabulary early, they have theological language to help them continue to explore and grow in their faith. Rev. Karen Wright, Associate Pastor at Southminster Presbyterian in Prairie Village, KS, is also a Certified Christian Educator.  She loves breaking complex concepts into pieces that children can understand.  #GodWords #GodMadeSimple

The Why and How of Sabbath Living  Sabbath is a radical, countercultural concept that flies in the face of our consumer society and Protestant work ethic. Yet it is central to God's identity and integral to humanity.  This workshop conversation expands on the Keynote sessions to explore why Sabbath matters, and what Sabbath living might look like in our families and congregations. Kara K. Root is the keynoter for this year's event. #sabbathhow

Beading with Joy  Explore a portion of the life of Jesus through Scripture by making a bookmark using beads and other technologies. Materials cost $5.00.  Joy Myers is an honorably retired pastor and longtime craft enthusiast.  #justbeadit 

3:45 – 5:00 pm Workshop block 3

Creating Stoles  In this time we will be doing hands-on learning and creating clergy stoles. You will leave with an unfinished stole top which will require sewing to finish. You will have three different techniques from which to choose for your project. You may also choose to do a small art piece if you'd rather have something for a wall hanging.  A materials cost will be collected at the beginning of class.  Grace Cox-Johnson is a nationally known liturgical artist who has served over 25 years with local and national congregations creating art for worship settings. She is currently the artist in residence for Color 4 the Journey, lives in Kansas City and is also the Director of Music at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church in Raytown.  #worshipenhanced

Jacob and Jesus: Wounds and Blessings of Grief We will explore the emotional, social, cultural  and spiritual aspects of grief and loss. How does faith help us cope with grief and loss? Faith and culture can hinder and assist healthy grieving and resilience. A Personal Loss Inventory will explore how we can "BE" a better care giver with those who are grieving and experiencing loss. Rev. Marc Giedinghagen, D. Min. is an Association for Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor at Saint Luke's Health System in Kansas City, MO. He is an ordained Presbyterian Church (USA) minister who served as the pastor of three Presbyterian Churches in Ohio, Michigan and Kansas before becoming a CPE Supervisor and Palliative Care Chaplain.  #careinloss

Ministry in the Connectional Church A year ago, two pastors from churches that have about 5-10 youth stumbled upon the idea of having a joint youth event, out of which a partnership was born that has enriched both of their church’s ministries (and has been a lot of fun!). Come hear their story and brainstorm how you could collaborate with others in your own context. Clare Lozano and Jason Carle are solo pastors in the Kansas City area who both provide leadership to their respective congregations' youth ministry programs and have also worked together on Heartland Presbytery's Youth Council. #dontbealoneranger #ministryisbettertogether #oneistheloneliestnumber #mopeepsmofun

Adolescent Brain Development  To truly connect with adolescents in a faithful and meaningful way we must understand how they think, how they process information, and why they make the choices they do. We will engage with the newest research on the adolescent brain and discuss how to utilize these discoveries to create more engaging and life lasting ministries with youth. Brian Kuhn is the Director of Youth and Family Ministries at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church in St. Louis MO as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor. He is a 16 year veteran of Youth Ministry and committed to studying the awesomeness that is adolescents. #braintalks #itisnotjusthormones #untilyour25

5:00 pm Dinner

7:00 pm Worship and Keynote

9:00 pm Time to relax

Tuesday 

Breakfast on your own

9:00 – 10:15 am Workshop block 4

Spirituality Center  Please see description in block 2.

Adult Education Galore A bird's eye view of adult education, with some specific tips on structuring classes, mentoring facilitators, and choosing curriculum.  Malinda Spencer is the associate for curricula training and promotion for Congregational Ministries Publishing in the Presbyterian Mission Agency.  #notjustbigchildren #christianformation #youcandoit

Faith and Politics will consider the important and sensitive intersection of faith and politics from the perspective of scripture, worship and preaching, mission and ethics.  Rev. Jeff Clayton, pastor of Southminster Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, Kansas, takes seriously the call to citizenship.  #BibleNewspaper

Social Media with Teens  Do you have a love - hate relationship with Social Media, especially when it comes to your youth? Join us for a discussion on the pros & cons of social media in our ministries.  From dial-up to swipe up, children, youth & young adults. Chris Hansen has been in ministry for half his life, and in the world of Social Media for even longer.  #pros&cons #ministrynow

Engaging Children in Mission How do you engage children in the church’s broader mission work in the world? Are there resources to give you ideas? We will discuss these questions and share from our own experiences. You will leave with children’s sermons ideas, Sunday school lessons, activity ideas and more. Rev. Sally S. Wright, an ordained Presbyterian Church (USA) pastor, currently serves with the Presbyterian Mission Agency in Louisville,KY, in the Office of Special Offerings. She is a minister member of Heartland Presbytery and loves to teach and preach. Sally and her family live in Overland Park, KS. #mission4everyone #kidsnmission #missionarykids

10:30 am Worship and Keynote

Noon Conclusion of OASIS

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