Slaying Dragons and being transformed by Frogs: Reformed Theology for the 21st Century

Urban Dictionary describes The Frozen Chosen: “The Presbyterian Church. Frozen by their beliefs and Chosen by God to do [God’s] will. It can also mean that they can be overly traditional and not welcome to change.” Do you find this definition to be disempowering and limiting? That’s because it is and also contrary to the richness of the Reformed theological tradition. Join me as we debunk myths and recover some of the critical underpinnings from the Reformed traditions that can help you develop your own theological framework for ministry.

Lead by Rev. Kerri Allen

Offered Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning

The Stories That Keep Us Locked In the Tower!

The stories we tell and the stories we are told shape us in ways we don’t even realize.  They are meant to do just that.  We know it.  It’s what we do every week in our pulpits.  But what about the power of stories over and within ourselves – stories of scripture, myth, fairytale, even our own lives?  What power do these stories wield in the ways that we lead the people of God and serve and follow Jesus?  This workshop will explore the power of story as we seek to find the truth that sets us free.

Lead by Rev. Nikki Collins MacMillan

Offered Tuesday morning and Wednesday afternoon

 

The Quick & The Dead

 

Tentmakers feel like we are both the quick and the dead. It’s exhausting. Tentmakers constantly live between two worlds, have little free time, and never seem to fit—into a Presbytery or their secular job, especially as women. These realms also give you the chance to be creative, to be lucrative financially and career wise, and it can give you a sense of deep love for the Church and the secular world. Whether you’re interested or are already tent-making, this workshop will provide practical ways of coping, opening up your mind to the advantages of this work, and allow for a cathartic space of holy chaos as you build, perfect, and dream in your tent.

Lead by Rev. Holly Clark-Porter

Offered Tuesday afternoon

The Stories That Keep Us Locked In the Tower!

The stories we tell and the stories we are told shape us in ways we don’t even realize.  They are meant to do just that.  We know it.  It’s what we do every week in our pulpits.  But what about the power of stories over and within ourselves – stories of scripture, myth, fairytale, even our own lives?  What power do these stories wield in the ways that we lead the people of God and serve and follow Jesus?  This workshop will explore the power of story as we seek to find the truth that sets us free.

Lead by Rev. Nikki Collins MacMillan

Offered Tuesday morning and Wednesday afternoon

 

 

Serving Beyond the Parish: Dragon, Frog or Something Else?!?!?

 

When we are called to serve the Church, we often think that we will serve the small town church or even a large city church; but what happens when we are called to serve beyond the Parish? Where there classes at Seminary that would prepare us to serve as Presbytery Executive?  How do we tame this dragon or are we given a frog to transform? Together we will identify the tools we need to live into a call beyond the Parish.

Lead by Rev. Bronwen Boswell

Offered Tuesday morning

 

I Do Two

 

Saying “I do” to being a clergy couple is double the vows, double the trouble, and double the fun. At Christmas, there are double the fruit cakes to deal with (the people and the snack). At Easter, there are 10 services that inevitably happen at 10 different times. And your days off (if they exist), are a work of art to plan together. Yet in sickness and in health, sharing a calling and a marriage can give you moments of great joy and love. Let’s chat with clergy couples of all stripes about the realities of this calling, helping you make thoughtful decisions and intentional plans for a balanced and fulfilling marriage and ministry.

Lead by the Revs. Bronwen & Howard Boswell and the Revs. Kaci & Holly Clark-Porter

Offered Wednesday morning

 

Transitional Ministry, Transforming Expectations

 

Dragons and frogs abound in the ministry of a Transitional Pastor. Transitional Pastors are expected to handle all of the roles of an installed pastor while simultaneously managing the very particular tasks of transitional ministry. As a Transitional Pastor, you may face the dragons who imply that you aren’t a “real” pastor or dragons of deep-seated conflict and control issues in the church. The frogs of Transitional Ministry include congregations which treat the transitional time as a long-term job interview and those who don’t want to bother with transitional tasks. Sometimes we face the frog of falling in love with a congregation and wrestling with our own feelings about the temporary nature of the relationship. Come share in this discussion of struggles and joys, expectations and opportunities, and celebrate those “Happily Ever After” moments of Transitional Ministry.

Lead by Rev. Kimberly Trimboli

Offered Tuesday morning & Wednesday afternoon

 

Sage Words from our Elders

 

Who better to talk to the dragons, frogs and the other Fairy tales of women in ministry then those women who were the pioneers in ministry? They come to share their stories but also to inspire us. We will hear from several in person and some via written word.

Lead by various Elder Mothers

Offered tentatively Tuesday morning & Wednesday afternoon

 

 

 

 

The Fantasy and Reality of Second Career Ministry

This is an interactive workshop which will explore some of the fantasies, rewards, and the realities of being a second career woman in ministry.  Using the example of women from scripture and well-known fairy tales we will explore the make-believe and actualities of ministry.  The workshop will include discussions around the following topics:

 

• “Mother of Dragons” Remembering the Call to Ministry
• “Kissing the Kermits”   Dreams Deferred
• “There is No Magic Potion” Using all of your giftedness in your ministry setting”

Lead by Rev. Betty J. Tom

Offered Tuesday afternoon & Wednesday morning