Workshops
Session One (9:10 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.) (skip to Session Two)
Accompanying People Experiencing Homelessness
led by Leigh Weber, Community Pastor and Chaplain, Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches
You see someone with a sign standing on the corner and they look like they need help. What do you say? Do you give money? Do you pretend not to notice? In a large metropolitan area like ours, this is a sadly common occurrence and knowing how best to be a support person is invaluable. In this workshop, we’ll talk about how we as individuals and as congregations can engage the homeless population in helpful and healthy ways. We’ll talk about what it means to be a “companion” to others and how to educate our churches to be a safe and welcome space.
Breaking Down the Walls of Hostility: The Path to Racial Reconciliation
led by Rev. Dr. Linda M. Smith, Executive Director and Pastor of SKY Center for Urban Empowerment Ministries and REACH Center of Hope
Come engage in interactive conversation and dialogue around issues of race relationship in our society. Learn about restorative principles and practices as we explore and discover the complexities of race in our societies. Examine how different types of racism operate in everyday encounters and explore solutions rather than symptoms. You will come away with an increased awareness of issues and factors that perpetuate racism and will be exposed to diverse ways of engaging in dialogue around racism that lead to restorative principles and practices that break down the walls that divide us.
Equipped: Practical tools for inclusion in daily life and ministry
led by the Krista Foundation for Global Citizenship
In increasingly diverse and interconnected communities we face tremendous opportunity and often daunting challenge. Come learn ways to leverage differences as gifts and assets for building community, reaching out, and working together in our global-local neighborhoods. Together, with young adult leaders and staff of the Krista Foundation for Global Citizenship, we will explore and build our capacities to engage the intersections of intercultural understanding and the visioning of a just and sustainable world for all.
Financial Management for Churches
led by Michelle Doherty, Accounting Manager, Pacific Northwest Conference United Church of Christ
Faithful women and men bring some financial skill to the role of church treasurer – but the management of church finances differs from other businesses and not-for-profits. This workshop, Financial Management for Churches, will help participants learn more about how church numbers are different (understanding endowments, investments and more); the treasurer’s role and responsibilities (following “best practices” for a variety of tasks); church-friendly financial statements (telling the story, ensuring transparency); the power of a narrative budget for stewardship (inspiring generosity by connecting people to mission spending); and policies and procedures every church needs (to protect the treasurer, the church and the funds).
Human Trafficking Awareness
led by Pastor Sheila Houston, MNPL; Living Hope Christian Fellowship, Renton
This workshop will describe the different types of trafficking and the different levels of sex trafficking happening in America. You will also learn how to identify the indicators and victims of human trafficking; this training will help people understand how the most vulnerable are victimized. In addition, this workshop will teach you about Washington state laws and what you can do as members of the church to be involved in this movement.
Sabbath - a Christian Perspective and Practice of Compassion and Justice
led by Rev. Katie Ladd, Pastor, Queen Anne United Methodist Church/The Well
Biblically speaking, Sabbath is a measure of justice, a way to organize community, a source of joy, and holy time to companion God and neighbor. Is there a way for Christians today to embrace what the earliest Christians knew and practiced in ways that honor our differences from Judaism and our distinctive identity? How might we practice a rhythm of work and rest that honors God as Creator and Liberator, compelling us to more deeply engage in witnessing for justice for all God’s creation? Reclaiming a form of Sabbath is worth exploring for the sake of our own spiritual lives and for the sake of our life shared together.
Sing Our Way to Justice
led by Jan Cherry, Diaconal Minister, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Our worship liturgies are a primary place where the people gathered are formed theologically into the People of God. Therefore the prayers we use, the images of God lifted up, the words we use to refer to God and the hymns we sing all contribute to this vital formation. For all who seek to lead the People of God from the Table out into the World, to form people who understand that we are Church for the Sake of the World, and to actually be the Living Body of Christ in the world, it is important that the liturgy reflect these values. Many of our denominations have assembled new Hymnbooks, and as an ecumenical Agency, we have access to a treasure trove of hymnody and songs that speak directly to this understanding. We will spend time looking at some of these powerful hymns, and singing them. You will have copies of hymns to take back to your churches and communities. Let us begin to “Sing our way to Justice” in our assemblies and in our hearts!
Session Two (10:50 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.) (return to Session One)
Climate Change, Pope Francis, and You
led by Jessie Dye, Program & Outreach Director, Earth Ministry
Laudato Sii (Praised Be in English) is the first papal encyclical on climate change and the pre-eminent Catholic faith statement on the environment. Pope Francis develops the theme of “integral ecology”—the absolute interconnectedness of the wellbeing of human communities and Earth’s ecosystems. This moving and prayerful meditation is addressed to all people of goodwill around the world, and has a broad ecumenical and interfaith call. In this workshop we will explore the key faith foundations of Laudato Sii, its call for dialogue across the partisan divide, and its implication for personal and political action on behalf of the common good.
Companioning in Mental Health
led by Kae Eaton, Chaplain, Mental Health Chaplaincy
How do you support the individuals in your community who live with mental illness, insecure housing or chemical dependency? How do you move from a transactional exchange to a relational engagement enabling substantive change?
Companionship is designed to encourage compassionate awareness for those struggling within our neighborhoods and communities of faith. The training develops skills to listen consciously with openness, along with an awareness of limits and boundaries, easing the isolation these difficulties often bring. Learn how you can integrate Companionship into your faith community with your ushers, social justice teams, pastoral care teams and staff.
Facing Privilege
led by Angela Davis, co-founder of Seattle Restorative Justice
and Rev. Terri Stewart, Chaplain, Youth Chaplaincy Coalition
Angela Davis and Terri Stewart will be leading a discussion on white privilege and social location. It will culminate in a discussion of our intersectional identities (CoCultures) and a privilege walk. Angela Davis is one of the three co-founders of Seattle Restorative Justice (along with Susan Partnow and Andrea Brenneke), and the Co-chair of the African American Community Advisory Council to Seattle Police Department. Angela has a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Seattle University as a Non-traditional Student. Angela's CoCultures are African American single parenting, domestic violence and sexual assault survivor, Apostolic, and survivor of discovering the suicide of her mother as a child. Terri Stewart is the Founder and Director of the Youth Chaplaincy Coalition-a Task Force of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, canoness of BeguineAgain.com, and a board member of Reconciling Ministries. Her intersecting CoCultures are: western European descent, middle-upper class, educated, adult child of alcoholic parents, United Methodist pastor, and firmly entrenched in the queer community.
Grounded: A Creative Worship Exploration
led by the Creativity Council of University Congregational United Church of Christ
Rather than talking about creativity in worship, let’s experience it. Join a worship that digs into the theme of Grounded. Walk into a chapel that’s transformed into a visual arts space. Partake in a service that engages the senses and imagination. Share in the journey that University Congregational Church is taking to discover worship that speaks to people of many ages and experiences. Offered by the Creativity Council of University Congregational UCC. Paintings by Sandra Bowden will be featured.
Reading the Bible Through the Lens of Justice
led by Rev. Kelle Brown, chief consultant of ReConciling Acts
Isaiah 40:4 prophesies, “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” This beautiful vision requires our work for justice. Scripture welcomes and promotes faithful discipleship and spiritual formation through intentionally creating authentic community and solidarity with those in need of liberation and justice. Using the miracles of Mark 5, participants will be invited to engage Scripture as a tool of empowerment and to discover techniques to effect positive change for society as a whole.
Resilience for the Journey toward Justice
led by the Krista Foundation for Global Citizenship
As faithful disciples, we are called to recognize and confront the challenges and injustices of society. We are also called and sent to celebrate Good News. How can we hold joy, frustration, and sorrow with strength and hope? Learn how to address these tensions, examining the impacts of pain, hardship and stress through facilitated activities. Together, with young adult leaders and staff of the Krista Foundation for Global Citizenship, we will nurture spiritual grounding and wellness through arts-based practices to claim and develop resilience with creativity, grace, and community.
Sacred Conversations: Consensus and Beyond in Church Decision-Making
led by Rev. Dr. Marcia Patton, Executive Minister, Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches
and Nora J. Percival, University Friends Meeting
How does a church community grow through and beyond internal differences? Join us to hear about the consensus process adopted 12 years ago by the Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches, and the Quaker business process of corporate discernment of God’s will. We will discuss the journey, pitfalls, gains, and learnings of these approaches to decision-making, and the tools to help make them work.
Return to Session One
Return to Session Two