2006 Congregational Resourcing Event Workshops

March 11, 2006 - 8:30 am-3:15 pm

Workshop # sessions (a, b, and/or c) Workshop Title

#1 a, b Building a Spirit of Congregational Togetherness Through Careful Leadership
A practical session for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders interested in growing the unity of their congregation. Rev. Peter Marty, host of “Grace Matters,” the radio ministry of the ELCA

#2 a Congregational Council Presidents Orientation

Congregational Council Presidents and Vice Presidents are
encouraged to attend this workshop to learn tips on running a meeting, basics of parliamentary procedure, overviews of
congregational meetings, responsibilities of council, committees, and staff, information about the Synod and the ELCA, and more. Bishop Gary Wollersheim, Northern Illinois Synod

#3 a, b The Future of Renewing Worship
What happens next with Renewing Worship, and how will it involve you and your congregation? Learn how to plan for what is coming and how and why getting lots of people to synod events introducing Evangelical Lutheran Worship (the new book) matters so much. Cheryl Dieter, ELCA Renewing Worship Coordinator

#4 a, b Follow Me Home: Experiencing Christ in Home and Family
This workshop will help families of any configuration see the home as a sacred place where Christ calls us all into a deeper, fuller relationship with him and with one another. Come experience very simple ways to illuminate the presence of God in everyday life. Diane Monroe, ELCA Acting Director of Christian Education

#5 b Percept/Vista On-Line Resource for Outreach Ministry
Discover a synod-provided resource that will help strengthen outreach leadership within your congregation. Rev. Janet Hunt, Assistant to the Bishop/Mission Director

#6 a Bread for the World’s 2006 Offering of Letters: “One Spirit. One Will. Zero Poverty.”
In 2006, Bread for the World, a nonpartisan, Christian movement against hunger and poverty, will ask our government
to significantly increase effective development assistance to developing nations. This workshop will acquaint you with the
issues as well as the faith basis for action, and will provide ideas for planning a letter-writing event in your own church. Rev. Mariah Priggen, ELCA

#7 a-c Stories to Tell, Gifts to Share: Interpreting Mission and Ministry
This all-day workshop provides the necessary training to become a mission interpreter for the Northern Illinois Synod.
Learn the many ways that our benevolence is used to further the mission of the church at the regional and national level. Then find out how to help share those stories with other Lutheran churches in your area. Keith Mundy, ELCA Stewardship Specialist, and John Califf, NIS Dir. of Development (session b)

#8 a, b What to Do After the Fall Response: Year-Round Stewardship
Does your stewardship committee exist only for the response in the fall? God’s blessings come to us year round. Find out how stewardship can be promoted throughout the year. Rev. Jeffrey Clements, Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Randy Willers and Jim Scott, NIS Stewardship Subcommittee

#9 a, b Evangelism Starts with Hospitality
Creating a welcoming environment both through personal invitation and institutional design. Ruth Fairchild Lathan & Dr.
Randy Mullin, NIS Outreach Committee

#10 a Funding Your Future Ministries: Charitable Giving and Endowments
Come learn how to set up, manage, and market an endowment fund for the benefit of your congregation and church. David Novak, ELCA Foundation, John Califf, NIS Director of Development, Rev. Marcia Strahl and Russ Zesky, NIS Stewardship Subcommittee

#11 c Tips for Writing Good Grant Proposals
Learn fundamental, yet critical steps in the grant writing process. What are the most important factors in helping funders make a decision? Should the request be for $100 or $1,000? Learn how to turn out a good proposal with the best chance of funding. John Califf, NIS Director of Development

#12 a “Here Am I Lord, Send Me”
A brief overview of the candidacy process with time for questions and answers for those who believe they have received a call to rostered ministry. Members of the Synod Candidacy Committee

#13 b, c Copy Right
Information and resources on copyright permissions. Synod Worship Subcommittee

#14 a, b, c Establishing Outreach Calling in Your Community
Specific ideas of how congregations of all sizes can reach out to the communities they serve. Ideas will include door to door calling, mailings, road signs, web pages, and phone calling. Intern Ben Ingelson, Followers of Christ, Plainfield

#15 a, b, c Establishing New Congregations in the Northern Illinois Synod and How You Can Help
Specific ways that your congregation can start a new ministry or link with a new ministry in our synod will be explained and questions answered. Prayer, people, money, and land are needed to carry out this important work - to share the Good News of Jesus. Rev. Ron Voss, Followers of Christ, Plainfield and Mission Consultant for Northern Illinois Synod

#16 a, b Building and Growing a Contemporary Worship Band Ministry
Realistic, time-tested resources to begin and grow a contemporary worship band. Session “a” will be about choosing
music and rehearsal techniques. Session “b” will be about working with musicians both spiritually and musically. Lu Bettisch, Living Waters, Crystal Lake

#17 a An Introduction to Anti-Racism
This 90-minute workshop (continues into the lunch hour - lunch will be provided in the workshop) on the pervasiveness of racism, why the church should care, and what we can do to end it. Pat Msseemma and Rev. Kim Lee-Brown, NIS Anti-Racism Team

#18 c From Immigrant Church to Inclusive Church
How can we become a more inclusive church that reaches out to and welcomes all people into the fellowship and ministry of God’s people in our world? Rev. Frank Samuelson, St. John’s, Rock Island, and Sophy Littrell, New Life, Bolingbrook

#19 b Natural Church Development
Growth through spiritual development within congregations. Rev. Carol S. Gates and Rev. Chris Beamsley

#20 b, c Bullying
The school-based program of Lutheran Social Services of IL will teach you about signs to look for and how to talk with your child to help them deal with any bullying situation. LSSI program staff

#21 b, c Elder Abuse
Intouch Services of LSSI responds to reports of suspected abuse of seniors and provides follow-up services. Learn about the many signs and symptoms of abuse and how to protect seniors from abuse or exploitation. LSSI program staff

#22 a, b, c Lutheran Disaster Response Update
Learn how individuals or congregations can become involved with LDR as they help families, individuals, and congregations through their long-term recovery efforts, particularly in the Gulf Coast region. Lisa Hassenstab, LSSI Director of Church and Volunteer Relations and Coordinator of Lutheran Disaster Response-Illinois

#23 b Troubling the Waters - A Look at a New ELCA Resource
Participants will explore a resource that looks at the power, privilege, and prejudice that belongs to us as white Christians and sets a journey from privilege to partnership. Dr. Peter Kivisto and Marlene Park, member NIS Anti-Racism Team

#24 b World Hunger
Explore ways people and congregations can feed hungry people around the world. One of the many ways that will be covered is the Foods Resource Bank growing projects. Deborah Martin, Rev. Wayne Derber, and Kent Terry
 

#25 c Adventures in Faith - Faith in Adventures
Terry relates how his mountain climbing, biking, and kayaking adventures have helped his faith. Proceeds from Terry’s speaking and book support the “Stand With Africa” program. Kent Terry

#26 a, c A Faithful Response to Domestic Violence
Information on the basic dynamics of domestic violence and strategies congregations can utilize to support persons affected by domestic violence. Erin Clark

#27 a, b, c Bible Alive
Bible Alive is a ministry “to engage a diverse audience in the scriptures” through extraordinary means. Learn new ways to teach the Bible. Rev. Dr. Fred Baltz and members of Bible Alive

#28 b Unraveling the Knots in Your Life through Spiritual Companioning
Discover how to use Spiritual Companioning to enhance your service, leadership, or ministry. Karen Ream and Sara Wykes

#29 a, b Youth Encounter Mission in Arusha, Tanzania
The views of Youth Encounter Mission, July 2005, with Trinity, Ottawa youth leader and pastor. Ryan Burke and Rev. Bond Haldeman, Trinity, Ottawa

#30 a, b Becoming a Contagious Christian
Learn your evangelism style and how to start “spiritual conversations.” Based on the book: Becoming a Contagious
Christian by Mark Mittleberg. Rev. Michael Thomas, Living Waters, Crystal Lake

#31 a, c Reflections on Tanzania - 2005
Wadle shares his summer experiences: working at Enaboishu Lutheran Secondary School with sons, staff, and construction crew; facilitating Mwangaza math/physics seminars; and teamteaching with past Mwangaza TZ/US partners Marieth Mlay and Simon Panga in their classrooms. Mike Wadle, First DeKalb

#32 a, b Cut-Ups and Countesses: Involving the Entire Congregation in LWR Parish Projects
Draw inspiration and get your creative juices flowing as one congregation shares how it grew Lutheran World Relief Parish Projects (quilts, health and school kits, layettes) and other stewardship ministries. Members of St. John’s, Somonauk

#33 b, c God’s People, The Spirit, and a “Third Thing”
This hands-on, creative experience is effective as a spiritual tool and a method for group relationship building. Learn how
the “third thing” technique has been used with youth and adults, on retreats, and in grief support ministries. Try it yourself and explore applications for your own congregation. Pastor Laura Koppenhoefer, Trinity, Moline

#34 a, c Bible Month: An Idea for Renewing the Focus on Scripture in Congregations
Learn about a very successful “Bible Month” in which virtually every activity in the congregation revolved around learning and relearning the Bible narrative. Hear how it was done and consider how you might do something similar in your congregation.  Rev. Jeff Schlesinger and members of St. Matthew’s, Princeton

#35 c Companion Congregations: Northern IL Synod/Diocese in Arusha Region, Tanzania
Sharing… “Old” partners, New partners, or Potential Partners. Sharon Wadle and Ron Henning

#36 c Partnering with Parents
A workshop to give tools to congregations which will help parents take the lead in the faith formation of their children. Angie Hug Meus, Family Ministry Coordinator, Joyful Spirit, Bolingbrook

#37 a, c Web Page Design for “Dummies”
Learn how to make a free, basic web page for your congregation or youth group. Mary Brodd, St. John’s, Rock Island
 

#38 a, b, c Introduction to PowerPoint
This class will give an introduction to PowerPoint with a focus on its use in worship and education settings, (e.g. the new Augsburg Fortress Here We Stand Confirmation Curriculum). To get the most from this class, bring your own laptop with PowerPoint software.

#39 b Taste of India
A fascinating look at India, the land of ancient culture and religions emerging into a modern, technologically-advancing land. We will share stories from our recent Medical Mission trip to India. Stories of the first missionary to India - St. Thomas, the first Protestant (Lutheran) missionary to India, Ziegenbalg, John's ministry in two hospitals and Esther's encounter with a Lutheran Mission developer cum chapel sweeper Theresa, house boating with the Lutheran young adult volunteer, our own Charlotte Erickson, LWF and Tsunami relief and much more. Dr. John and Esther Prabhakar
 

#40 c Woven together by Prayer
Fall 2005 'Mosaic' produced by the ELCA department of communication featured our Synod Vice President Esther Prabhakar talking about her Pictorial Prayer book. It is a way to weave people whom we pray for under the cover of prayer, under the cover and protection of the Mighty God. Esther's Pictorial prayer book utilizes Scrap booking techniques to make a prayer book that one can use for prayer time every day. Come, see and hear how to create your own Pictorial Prayer Book. Esther Prabhakar