Our ministries are our ways of connecting with God, our neighbors and ourselves. Let’s gather to learn how we can share resources and ideas which can strengthen the work of the Church.  The event will take place in person with the opportunity to attend 2 of 6 different workshops.  

K eynote Speaker – Rev. Kelsey Peterson Beebe

Rev. Kelsey Peterson Beebe (she/her) believes firmly in an all-loving God, embodied Christ, and ever-moving Holy Spirit that connects us all. She is a trained dancer, yoga instructor, and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She serves as a solo pastor at two churches just south of Milwaukee, WI, and is the Executive Minister of Dancing Pastor Ministries and host of the Lady Preacher Podcast. She has performed, preached, key-noted, and led retreats all around the United States as well as in Costa Rica.

Workshops do NOT need to be chosen until the day of the event.
Please Note: Childcare and youth programming will be provided that day.

WORKSHOP #1 – “A Taste of Companionship”
Speaker: Rev. Tim Darmour-Paul, Grantfork UCC
This is an introduction to Companionship Workshops which teach church members ways to respond to people dealing with mental health challenges. The full workshops, centered on developing five spiritual disciplines which promote building relationships, will help overcome the stigma associated with mental health concerns.

WORKSHOP #2 - “Creating Community for Online Worshippers”
Speaker: Darren Calhoun, Urban Village Church, Chicago
Darren Calhoun, a band member of The Many (who joined us for our 2022 Annual Meeting), will join us virtually to discuss how local churches can engage and build a community for online worshippers. Darren is a worship leader at Urban Village Church in the South Loop of Chicago.

WORKSHOP #3 – “Lebanon Listens Ministry”
Speaker: Christine Brewer – St. Paul UCC, Lebanon
Christine will explain how what started as a simple, open, and honest community discussion has blossomed into a vital ministry that connects neighbor to neighbor in direct response to addressing the food insecurity issues in the wider Lebanon community.  

WORKSHOP #4 - “Labyrinths – A Spiritual Practice”
Speaker: Rev. Stacy Tate, Irvington Friedens UCC
Rev. Stacy Tate will lead a workshop on the spiritual practice of labyrinths. Rev. Tate is a certified labyrinth guide. Participants will experience for themselves how this tool can be used for prayer, personal reflection, and spiritual transformation. 

WORKSHOP #5 – “Transforming Christian Education for the Inclusive Church”
Panelist:  Pastor Tim Reed, Pastor of Belleville Trinity UCC and Carla Kay Robertson
In this workshop, participants will be guided through a series of activities based on  Multiple Intelligences, a theory of intelligence developed by Howard Gardner. Provide the service of an interactive and engaging Christian Education Program utilizing these tried-and-true activities. 

WORKSHOP #6 – Movement in Ministry
Speaker: Rev. Kelsey Peterson Beebe
This workshop will explore how congregations can implement practices which embody ways to connect more deeply to themselves, others and God.

Schedule:

• Fee for the event: $25/person.

Schedule for the day: 

9:00 am – 9:15 am     Gathering words 
9:15 am - 9:50 am      Keynote Speaker: Rev. Kelsey Beebe
10:00 am - 10:40 am  Workshop A
11:00 am - 11:40 am  Workshop B
11:45 am – 12 pm      Closing words