2003 Annual Meeting Workshops

(Revised August 2003)

You may attend two workshop sessions on Saturday, October 18, from 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 1:10-2:15 p.m. The first session is slightly longer to allow you to bring and eat your box lunch. Workshops will meet in the classrooms at Saxe Middle School in New Canaan. All workshops will be offered at both sessions unless noted below. After you register at the Annual Meeting, please take tickets for the workshops you would like to attend. They will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Room assignments will be on your tickets. Please review the list prior to arriving so you will be prepared to select your two first or second choices as you register.

1. How to be a Partner Church
Rev. Gary Brown, Chair, and the Colombia Partnership Committee, Workshop Leaders

Learn how a church in Connecticut can develop a partner relationship with a church in Colombia. Members of the partnership committee at First Church in Middletown will discuss the process and describe their joys and struggles thus far. You will also see the faces of Colombia and learn about the country and its trials.

2. Being Stewards of God's Creation: What the Church Can Do
Rev. Ellen Petersen, Workshop Leader (offered first session only)

Why should the church be a model for caring for God's creation? We will look at scriptures which address God's love for all of creation, what it means to be stewards of creation, what the church can do, and how the Bible speaks to the environmental crisis.

3. Iran in the Context of the Christian Faith
Rev. Anne Higgins and Charles Prewitt, Workshop Leaders

Join in a conversation about the Christian response to the situation in Iran. Anne will share her thoughts on the theological basis for peace in Iran. Charles will speak about his experiences in Iran in the '60s and those of his sons in the '70s. He lived in Muslim countries for nine years and will compare Islam and Christianity, and review present USA and Iran relations.

4. The Environment and Its Affect on Human Health in Today's World
Nancy Alderman, President of Environment and Human Health, Inc., Workshop Leader

Learn about the state of human health and what role the environment is playing in the rise of certain diseases. Rates of cancer, asthma, and now obesity and diabetes are rising. How can we, as individuals, turn this situation around and help in improving people's health outcomes?

5. Let Your Voice and Your Vote Be Heard
Kim Harrison, Public Policy Advocate for the Connecticut Conference, Workshop Leader

One person does make a difference. Learn the steps necessary to become an effective advocate for justice issues. Plus, get insider tips on the best way to lobby the CT General Assembly.

6. Refugee Resettlement since September 11
Rev. Linda Carleton, Workshop Leader

Learn about the impact of our nation's increasing xenophobia on the ministry of refugee resettlement. A panel will describe how their churches have responded: traditional refugee sponsorship, using church-owned housing for refugee resettlement, and "partnership sponsorship" with the CT affiliate for the UCC Wider Church Ministries refugee program.

7. Sea the World with Maritime Ministry
Rev. Andy Krey, Workshop Leader

Learn about the church's most multi-national, -cultural, and -faith ministry. Of the 1900 maritime ministries worldwide, one serves the CT seaports of Stonington, New London, New Haven, and Bridgeport. Learn about the exciting ways maritime ministry connects with local UCC outreach and mission goals.

8. Breaking Down the Walls: A Workshop on Combating Racism
Jeanette Olmsted Sawyer, Workshop Leader

Inspired by a 2003 resolution presented to General Synod concerning racism in UCC churches, this is a crash course on how a local church, that may be racially, socioeconomically, or even denominationally different, can initiate reconciliation and unity. Biblical principles stress the relationship proclaimed by Christ in John 17:20-22, "That they may all be one." Learn how to initiate discussion at Church Council meetings or special meetings on this subject, with evaluation suggestions to aid in future discussions.

9. The Spiritual and Emotional Legacy of War: Understanding Survivors
Rev. Carol Ann Bass, Workshop Leader

Carol Ann was recently the Protestant chaplain on an historic journey to Vietnam with 80 other veterans, adult children who lost their fathers in the war, former military nurses, widows, and other relatives. Will those now serving in Iraq have similar experiences? Come understand the long-term impact of war on individuals and families here and abroad, including your congregations. Learn about healing from conflict and be further inspired to work for peace abroad and healing at home.

10. Disaster Response Preparedness Planning
Rev. Newell and Jane Curtis, Workshop Leaders

After a disaster happens it is too late to prepare. Local churches are the fundamental disaster response units of the faith community. Find out how your church can develop a response plan, respond to natural or technological disasters, identify church members who have skills that could be helpful in an emergency, identify members who might need special assistance in a disaster, become familiar with your community's emergency operations officer and disaster response plan, and develop your church's role in the plan.

11. The Faithful Format
Rev. Tom Burlington, Workshop Leader

Meetings too long or too boring? Is "real" ministry happening outside after the meeting? Learn how to find a healthy balance between tasks and relationships. The Faithful Format outlines a group process for any type of church meeting, class, seminar, etc., from a biblical/theological point of view. Psychological and sociological considerations are accounted for, so individual and group needs are met. Groups using this process are modeling the great commandment to love God with soul, heart, mind, and strength, and neighbor as self!

12. Starting a Church Website
Rev. Eric Anderson, Workshop Leader (offered second session only)

Your church wants to join the other congregations with a presence on the World Wide Web. Where do you start? What do you do? Who will do the work? And who can help? These are some of the questions to be examined. Eric Anderson has maintained the Connecticut Conference's website since 1999.

13. Misconduct Prevention Primer Workshop
Rev. Sue Prichard, Workshop Leader

A brief introduction to Safe Church practices for your church. We'll look at the reasons Connecticut Associations require clergy to be trained in misconduct prevention, give you sample church policies, and talk about events in the news.

14. When is the Church NOT a Family? Destructive Family Patterns that Destroy Church Community
Rev. Beverly Weinhold, LMHC, CCMHC, Workshop Leader

You have probably encountered dysfunctional family dynamics in your church. This workshop will consider scriptural assumptions for "the church as a family," expose myths when this thinking is taken too far, and provide tools to help develop healthier relational dynamics in our congregations.

15. Centering Prayer: A Christian Meditation Practice for Spiritual Growth, Personal Insight, Relaxation, and Healing
Rev. Cheryl Anderson, Workshop Leader (offered second session only)

Experience peace and equanimity as we go together to the silent heart of prayer. In "contemplative prayer," we stop talking to God, and simply "be" in the God's presence and allow the Holy Spirit to "intercede for us with sighs too deep for words." If you already practice meditation, bring your cushion and join us to deepen our group meditation. If you have never experienced meditation, just bring your "beginner's mind." This introduction will get you started on a whole new journey.

16. Walking the Labyrinth, Walking the Life
Rev. John Danner, Workshop Leader

From ancient times, labyrinths have been used as tools for prayer, meditation, and inner pilgrimage. Learn a brief history of labyrinths and experience walking a labyrinth. The labyrinth to be used is a 36-foot diameter canvas labyrinth modeled after the labyrinth found in Chartres Cathedral.

17. The Transforming Power of Holy Communion
Rev. Pamela Bro, Workshop Leader

After examining a brief history of communion, this workshop will begin to explore the transforming power of this ritual as a holy container into which we ritual subjects enter in order to meet God and to be transformed into the Body of Christ. It will also seek to reframe the notion of sacrifice. The objective is to help liberate any boring or rote practices of communion into life-giving, Spirit-filled ones.

18. African Hand Drumming
Jan Gregory , Workshop Leader

Learn some basic rhythms and have a chance to play. Bring your own djembe drum or use one of the 15 drums available to borrow at the workshop.

19. Recognizing and Responding to Anti-Semitism
Ms. Marji Lipshez-Shapiro and Rev. Suzanne Wagner, Workshop Leaders

Incidents of anti-Semitism in Connecticut and around the world are on the rise. This interactive session will help participants understand this phenomenon as well as offer a perspective for the Christian community to become allies with Jews on responding to anti-Semitism.

20. 22 Going on 12: One Year at the Family Village Farm, South India
Ellen Tompsett, Global Ministries Missionary Intern, Workshop Leader

Ellen Tompsett has just returned from her assignment at a home for orphans, single-parent children, destitute women, and the elderly. She is here to share her experience with village life, current social issues, and the work of Global Ministries.

21. UCC Involvement in Post-Apartheid Africa
Clyde and Betsy Work, Workshop Leaders (offered first session only)

This is a visual report and commentary on recent observations in six eastern and southern African countries of the devastation, orphanages, and clinics related to the HIV/AIDS pandemic; projects to provide potable water and food; real life stories of "The Lost Boys of Sudan" (including a visit to the refugee camp that was their home for eight years); and recovery from the bitter apartheid experiences.

22. Plight of the Marginalized Peoples of the World
Clyde and Betsy Work, Workshop Leaders (offered second session only)

See examples of exploitation faced by the people of developing (or deteriorating?) countries: child labor in Pakistan and Indonesia, textile production in the Philippines and the effect of multinational plantations (bananas in Honduras, tea in Malawi, rice in Sri Lanka, fabrics in the Andes). Hear the story of the Family Village Farm in India, an example of the UCC Sponsorship Program, services to victims of civil wars, medical care, education, and the role of women, particularly as related to the affluent nations of the world.

23. Israel and Palestine
Rev. Ken Taylor, Workshop Leader

Ken spent three months, March through May of 2003, in the West Bank and Jerusalem, sponsored by the World Council of Churches. He will show a few slides and will lead a group discussion of current issues.

24. Equipping Volunteers for Ministry
Esther Shoup, Workshop Leader (offered first session only)

Changes in society-not theology-make it necessary to find some new ways to do ministries in the 21st century. This workshop will explore opportunities for reshaping the ministry system. What is the role of the church leadership in moving forward? How can churches equip and support volunteers? Are ministry teams the answer?

25. I Was in Prison
Rev. Charlotte White, Workshop Leader (offered first session only)

The presenter is a chaplain at York Correctional Institution, CT's only state prison for women. Learn about issues unique to incarcerated women and some of the exciting programs offered at York CI to help women deepen their spirituality so they may lead responsible, spiritually-enriched lives that are drug-free and crime-free. We will discuss opportunities for individuals and churches to be involved in prison ministry.

26. Effects of the No Child Left Behind Act: A Justice Issue
Dr. John Yrchik, Executive Director, Connecticut Education Association, Workshop Leader

This 2001 act is having profound effects upon education in America. Learn about the impact of various provisions, such as arbitrary, mandated testing on students, teachers, administrators, and parents, and why they constitute justice issues about which local churches and members should be concerned.

27. Stories and Storytellers
Rev. Ron Evans, Workshop Leader

Long before the Bible was a source for storytelling, it was the product of that same "oral tradition." Listen to a few well chosen stories we can all use, plus some practical hints to make any of us better tellers of tales, and share a host of practical resources to aid us in this most basic of evangelistic skills. Bring some. Get some. We'll share some timeless stories together.

28. Capital Campaigns 101
Hugh and Kate McLean, Workshop Leaders (offered second session only)

Has your church identified building improvements or expanded programs that cannot be achieved within your annual budget? You may be thinking about undertaking a church-wide capital campaign, but sometimes it's hard to know how to begin. This workshop will help you get started on the planning and preparation necessary for a successful campaign.

29. Contemporary Christian Music
Albert Kim, Workshop Leader

Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) can be a powerful tool for teaching young people/young adults about modern worship and contemporary praise. But where do you start? What music is available? We'll examine music from popular artists and new bands, hear a wide variety of song samples, and discuss practical ways you can infuse CCM into your youth group, Bible study, Sunday School classes, and contemporary worship service. Get the latest resources and ideas, and hear testimonies from CT churches.

30. The Top Ten Best and Challenging Things About Youth Groups: A Panel Discussion
(to be named), Workshop Leader (offered second session only)

Come and listen to a panel of youth and youth leaders to learn about the most effective and least effective aspects to running a youth group in your church.

31. We're on a Mission!
Rev. Chris Nichols, Workshop Leader

Mission projects are among the most important activities a church can provide for youth. Learn how to construct a mission project or find a new idea for your group.

32. Peace on the Korean Peninsula
Roger Babbitt, Workshop Leader

Last year's resolution ("advocating peace and reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula") calls us to learn about the situation in Korea and our government's policies, and to encourage policies leading toward peace and reconciliation. Learn about the situation from a multitude of news sources. Participate in letter writing in an attempt to persuade our President and legislators to take a nonviolent approach.

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