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Diocesan Ministry Day

Registration

Workshop Descriptions

About Presenters

 

 

Congregations throughout the diocese and indeed, the nation, are experiencing reduced giving mainly because of the economic downturn. We are still committed however, to making a difference in our own lives and in the lives of those less fortunate. This Ministry Day has many suggestions on how to do just that. 

 

Join us on Saturday, November 7 at St. Bartholomew's, Poway for a day of growing and learning together.

 

Some workshop titles:

 

Twenty workshops, each presented twice, will cover such diverse topics. Attend these workshops and many more in order to:

 

Schedule

8:30 am - 9:00 am Registration

9:00 am - 9:25 am Bishop's welcome and prayer

9:30 am - 10:30 am Session 1

10:45 am - 11:45 am Session 2

11:45 am - 12:30 pm Lunch

12:45 pm - 1:45 pm Session 3

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Session 4

 

$25 per person, includes lunch and materials.

 

Come for the fellowship, come for the inspiration, come to be fed in so many ways. Bring a team from your congregation so that you can share your time and learning together. The cost for this wonderful experience, including lunch, is $25 and child care is available with advance notice.

 

 

Registration

 

Online

Click here

 

Print and Mail

Register today by printing out this downloadable registration form and mailing or faxing in to Isabel Lynne, Registrar: Registration Form .pdf

 

Late registration accepted until Tuesday, November 3 at 3:00pm!

 

Workshop Descriptions

 

Life Changing Education: a Model for Adult Formation that Transcends Trivial Pursuit

Presenter: The Rev. Randal Gardner

Session 1 and 3

Too often education methods settle for transmitting information from one person to another. Thomas Groome offered "shared praxis," a model for adult education and formation in which information contributes to imagination, discernment, ethical reflection, and community vision.

 

Fun and Faith: Balance in Youth Ministry
Presenters: Kirsten Plonka, Enrique Serrano and Jetea Glosson-Johnson
Sessions 1 and 3
You may have heard it said that our church is only one generation away from extinction. To counteract that truism, we need fun programs that inspire, make a difference in our youths’ lives and teach. Come to this workshop to learn how you can help our youth experience the breadth and depth of the Episcopal Church while building Christian values.

 

Sunday School on a Shoestring
Presenter: Amanda Davis, St. James, La Jolla
Sessions 2 and 4
While we might debate about whether or not a stimulus package will boost the economy, one thing’s certain—there’s no bailout for Sunday school spending. Tight times like these remind us to prioritize, take stewardship seriously, and trim back on everything but the essentials. But Sunday school can still be fun and educational for our children. This workshop is for all those interested in educating God’s children and doing it on a shoestring. You will learn where you can find free and low-cost teaching resources, how to use the Internet as a resource and build the best Sunday School that money can’t buy.

 

Grow Your Congregation Through Invite-a-Friend Sunday
Presenter: Cindy Gordon, Grace Church, San Marcos
Sessions 1 and 3
Often we want to invite a friend to church but feel uneasy about asking. We also know that we are all called by the Great Commission of Matthew 28 to spread the Gospel among all nations. The question is how do we do this? Come to this workshop facilitated by the Evangelism Commission to learn step-by-step skills to grow your congregation. The invite-a-friend Sunday approach has been used successfully in many parishes and it can be successful in yours as well. Participants will receive a packet of information to help them get started.

 

Power Evangelism: Sharing your Faith and Living it in the World
Presenter: The Rev. George Calvert, Good Shepherd, Bonita
Sessions 2 and 4
The Great Commission of Matthew 28 calls each of us to share the love of God throughout the world: “Go into the world and make disciples of all nations.” The Great Commission is fundamental to a healthy and growing church in the world. Attend this workshop to: learn why sharing your faith is important, how sharing your faith can help your congregation grow and strengthen your own faith, and how to live out your faith. “The word of God may run and be glorified. (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

 

Growing a Community Garden in Your Congregation
Presenters: Theresa Tynan and Carin Bunney, St. Mary’s, Ramona
Sessions 1 and 2
Building a community garden is a great way to serve the community and your congregation. St Mary’s, Ramona was the first church in our diocese to build a large community garden; it has brought in friends and neighbors from around the local community and is now feeding many of the needy. You don’t have to love gardening to create a successful community garden that benefits your community and makes your church relevant.

 

Partners in Ministry: Working with ECS to Serve Our Brothers and Sisters in Need
Presenters: Lesslie Keller, Alyssa Osian
Sessions 1 and 3
“Partners in Ministry” parish involvement is integral to Episcopal Community Service’s mission of “serving God by serving those in need” and defines community building within our diocese. By working together, we can better tend to the needs of families and individuals struggling with homelessness, domestic violence, hunger, poverty and other kinds of suffering. Learn how your congregation can join “Partners in Ministry” by hosting ECS Sundays, donation drives, group volunteerism and family holiday sponsorship. Also learn more about the breadth of programs and services offered by ECS and how the agency is a valuable referral source for your church.

 

Living Wi$ely: A Spiritual Budgeting Course
Presenter: Canon Chris Harris, St. Paul’s Cathedral
Sessions 1 and 3
Recharge and reinvent your stewardship education and formation through spiritual budgeting courses such as Living Wi$ely. These courses approach stewardship from a new, fresh perspective that is welcome change in these difficult times. By exploring our individual relationship with money as well as developing practical tools to help us understand and control our own finances, Living Wi$ely and others like it, can provide a powerful, transformational experience that re-energizes your congregation’s approach to stewardship. In these economic times, we need to be talking about money more than ever and this workshop will give you the tools to get started.

 

Use 21st Century Parish Administration in New Ways to Grow your Congregation
Presenter: Canon Christine Spalding, St. Paul’s Cathedral
Sessions 1 and 3
Effective church administration is an integral part of church growth. This workshop is designed to help those involved in church administration, whether you hold the title or not, understand the basic philosophy and scope of administration ministry. We’ll cover the 14 core competencies of church administration and discuss best practices in some of the most important areas. A portion of the workshop will be spent developing key areas for growth within your own congregation.

 

Grow Closer to God With Centering Prayer
Presenter: Chris Hagen and Susan Hagen, St. Bartholomew’s, Poway
Sessions 1 and 3
Centering Prayer is a renewal of an ancient form of silent Christian prayer updated for our time. It is based on Matthew 6:6 “….When you pray go to your inner room and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. Our presentation will discuss the origin and method of this prayer and there will be an opportunity to learn and experience Centering Prayer.

 

Your Church Can Feed the Hungry: Feed a Family on 25 Cents a Day
Presenter: JD Cowart, St. Bartholomew’s, Poway
Sessions 2 and 4
This ministry allows any congregation to feed the hungry of the world and the community for just twenty-five cents a meal. Partnering with Poway-based charity Friends & Family Community Connection (FFCC), the congregation purchases bulk food ingredients and turns them into nutritious rice-soy casserole meals for hungry men, women and children in San Diego County and in the drought-ravaged nation of Tanzania or the worthy country or people’s of your choice. FFCC has packaged over two million meals since 2007. This workshop will show you how to join forces with fellow churches and community neighbors to raise the funds and package the meals. Join us for a tour of this fun, easy and highly effective food ministry, as well as a peak into the African nation of Tanzania that is among those enjoying the fruits, and love, of the church’s labors.

 

What is Microcredit Anyway? Conquering Poverty One Tiny Loan at a Time
Presenter: Elena Cruz
Sessions 2 and 3
Parish Partners for Micocredit is a diocesan program underway to involve parishes and other Episcopal organizations in serving poor women in the San Diego area. Micro-credit is one proven way to lift people out of poverty by giving them the tools for economic empowerment. Come and learn how to be involved at the congregational level or personal level.

 

The Parish as Steward of the Environment
Presenters: Allis Druffel; Jackie Vel from Icology Group; Canon Peter Bergstrom, Camp Stevens
Sessions 3 and 4
Just what is environmental justice anyway? It’s getting the best out of the environment and the earth to live as God asks us to live and protect the natural gifts God has given us. In this workshop you will learn how solar power can heat, power and green your home or church; how to use the environment sensitively; how to make the world a greener place and how to save water as well as other resources. Many practical tips and techniques will be presented on how to use modern technologies as well as how to take advantage of government rebates.

 

Diocesan Reading Program: a Discussion with Bishop Mathes About The Secret Message of Jesus
Presenter: The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes
Sessions 1 and 3
If you are looking for a stimulating workshop look no further. At this workshop, which concludes the “One Book, One Diocese” program, Bishop Mathes will facilitate a discussion about Brian McLaren’s ground-breaking book The Secret Message of Jesus. The book encourages readers to take a fresh look at Jesus and to stop focusing on going to heaven and live instead in the kingdom of God here and now. Bishop Mathes will seek feedback about what readers have learned and their thoughts. This workshop provides excellent preparation for our Diocesan Convention in February 2010, where Mr. McLaren will be our keynote speaker.

 

Find a Job or Help Those in Transition: An Introduction to Inland Net
Presenter: Jim Miller, St. Bartholomew’s, Poway
Sessions 2 and 4
The unemployment rate in California is over 12%. Almost all of us know someone who is in transition or working below their skill level just to keep up. Inland Net can help. Inland Net’s purpose is to help people in transition find jobs. The networking group provides training on how to use the latest online tools such as www.linkedin.com. It also facilitates classes that teach every aspect of the job process thereby increasing the probability of success. Inland Net adds a unique, pastoral component to the search process helping those in transition with pastoral and practical needs such as food, shelter, and personal services. Attend this workshop if you are in transition and need a position or if you feel called to help those in transition and want to open an Inland Net chapter in your congregation.

 

Websites Galore: Learn How You Can Save Time, Money and Resources with a Website
Presenter: Susan Rust, St. Paul’s Cathedral
Sessions 2 and 4
Are you frustrated with your current website? Maybe you don’t think you have the resources to build or improve an existing site? Maybe you need more knowledge about how a new or upgraded website can help your congregation or business. Without a top-notch website the church just can’t reach the visitor it needs to reach. In today’s world, over 90% of those seeking a new church first visit the church online. Having a great website is no longer an option; it is a necessity. Attend this workshop if you want to learn how a website can help your congregation grow. Learn how reasonable it can be to build an eye-catching and useful site that nourishes the congregation and the visitor. Learn how you can save time, money and volunteer resources by centralizing your information flow. Although much of the same information will be presented in both sessions, session 2 will help larger congregations and session 4 will focus more on smaller congregations, including how to use social media to grow your church.

 

Episcopal Refugee Network: A Ministry that Makes an Immediate Difference
Presenter: Dr. John McLevie, St. Andrew’s, Encinitas
Sessions 1 and 3
Learn how your congregation can get involved with the life-saving work of the Episcopal Refugee Network. The network began as a resource for Sudanese refugees and has expanded recently to assist refugees from Burma and other war-torn places. See how you can transform your congregation with this vital ministry for the least among us.

 

Legacy Giving: Building the Church for Future Generations
Presenter: Canon Howard Smith, Office of the Bishop
Sessions 2 and 4
Planned giving is a vital part of stewardship. We will explore end-of-life giving and your legacy in the Church. Learn to develop these skills for your congregation.

 

Effective Newsletters: Tips and Tricks to Encourage People to Read
Presenter: Hannah Miller, Office of the Bishop
Sessions 2 and 4
Bring copies of your newsletters to share in a supportive, helpful environment. Learn how to grab the reader’s eye and provoke the desired outcome or action. We will also discuss online newsletters. Meet other church communicators and discuss best practices.

 

Celebrating Our Most Precious Resource - Our People: How to Excite, Motivate and Empower Volunteers
Presenter: The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, Bishop
Sessions 2 and 4
Participants will learn how volunteers are motivated, the best ways to recruit, train and retain volunteers and what to do if a volunteer needs to move on. Learn the importance of thanking volunteers and how to do it gracefully. Bishop Mathes also looks at teams versus committees and grassroots movements versus institutions. This comprehensive workshop on volunteers will help your congregation incentivize the most precious resource it has - its people!

 

About Workshop Presenters

 

Canon Peter Bergstrom is the Executive Director of Camp Stevens, our diocesan camp and conference center; he has served there since 1972. Peter is a member of the Standing Committee, the Social Justice Commission, and has served on the Environmental Task Force of the Episcopal Province of the Pacific, and the national Episcopal Committee on Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation. Camp Stevens has been designated a Jubilee Center by the Episcopal Church for its work in environmental and social ministry.

 

Carin Bunney is the Master Gardener for the Labyrinth: A Community Garden for Ramona, and a member of San Diego Master Gardener’s Association since 2001 and a member of the Ramona Garden Club.

 

The Rev. George Calvert is rector of Good Shepherd Church in Bonita, chair of the Evangelism Commission and member of Diocesan Council.

 

John David “JD” Cowart is a St. Bartholomew’s parishioner who is active in outreach ministries, including the “Time, Talent, Tanzania” food-packaging ministry. In January 2009, JD joined local charity Friends & Family Community Connection on a humanitarian-aid trip to the nation of Tanzania. JD doubles as an intellectual property attorney for Teradata Corporation in his professional life.

 

Elena Cruz has over 35 years experience working with immigrants and refugees. She is experienced in development of employment opportunities for non-English speaking persons. Ms. Cruz works as the director of the Foundation for Women’s microcredit program, a member of the Bilateral Safety Corridor Collaborative for Human Trafficking and a board member of the Middle Eastern Social Services Organization.

 

Amanda Davis has been the pastor for children’s ministries at St. James by-the-Sea, La Jolla since 2007. Ms. Davis is a lifelong St. James parishioner with a background in education and professional theatre. In fact, she got started in theatre at the age of 5 with Father Lawrence Waddy, and continued to work on his book, Bible Drama, with him through the years. At St. James, Ms. Davis incorporates elements of drama and sacred story into her curriculum and special events to encourage children to engage more personally with their faith.

 

Allis Druffel is the Southern California Outreach Director of California Interfaith Power and Light. Her previous incarnations have been as a classical singer and teacher and director of community services in a large Catholic parish. She came to the issue of climate change after recognizing that most issues she worked on, including local and global hunger, fair trade and energy issues, all linked immediately to the environment.

 

The Rev. Randal Gardner is the rector of St. James by-the-Sea, La Jolla, and an adjunct faculty member for the Doctor of Ministry program at Virginia Theological Seminary. His own doctoral work was a study of shared praxis applied to the liturgical leadership of the laity. He relied on shared praxis as a foundation for diocesan commissions that wrote curriculum for dialog about sexuality, that developed conferences on discernment and vocation, that rewrote diocesan processes for calling clergy and screening applicants for ordination, and that developed a formation program for seminarians and new clergy. Shared praxis was also key to a congregational remodeling program that successfully completed a two-million dollar update of an aging facility.

 

Jetea Glosson-Johnson is the youth mnister at Good Shepard, Hemet. She serves on the diocesan youth commission, enjoys praise and pizza and encouarges Christians to use high esteeming language.

 

Cindy Gordon is on the vestry of Grace, San Marcos where she and others have successfully implemented the Invite-a-Friend Sunday Program.

 

Chris Hagen and Sue Hagen have been practicing centering prayer for eight years and they facilitate two centering prayer groups at St. Bartholomew’s. They also coordinate Contemplative Outreach of San Diego, an ecumenical Chapter of Contemplative Outreach Ltd. with over five hundred members.

 

Christopher Harris, Esq. is the Canon for Congregational Development at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where he is resposible for: newcomer incorporation, small group organization, ministry development and stewardship - including the annual financial appeal, legacy and planned giving and a yearly time, talent and gift discovery series. Chris oversees communications at the Cathedral including the weekly “Cathedral Life” newsletter, website and media relations. Prior to joining St. Paul’s, Chris owned his own law practice which specialized in tax law, and served as chairman of the Alpha Project for the Homeless, a multi-service homeless outreach agency recognized nationally by President Bush as the country’s 185th Point of Light.

 

Lesslie Keller has been the CEO of Episcopal Community Services (ECS) since March 2007. ECS is the social service arm of the Diocese of San Diego with a dozen programs in the areas of homelessness, mental health, education and addition services. A CPA for over 20 years, Ms. Keller served as the Director of Finance and Administration for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and its six related corporations before moving to San Diego. Prior to that she served three years as the Assistant Controller for the national financial office of the United Methodist Church. She serves as a Finance Faculty member of CREDO and is a member of St. Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego.

 

The Rt. Rev. James Mathes worked in Episcopal schools for several years before attending Virginia Theological Seminary. After graduating in 1991, he served parishes in the dioceses of Massachussets and Chicago. He served as canon to the ordinary in the Diocese of Chicago until he was elected fouth bishop of San Diego in 2005.

 

John McLevie, Ph.D. is president of the board of the Episcopal Refugee Network of San Diego; He has been active for the last ten years. He is a parishioner and former senior warden at St. Andrew’s, Encinitas. Dr. McLevie is a retired university professor and administrator. His ten years of work in Southeast Asia and three years in Brazil helped prepare him for the multi-cultural challenges of the needy refugees from Africa and Asia now served by the Refugee Network.

 

Hannah Miller is the Communications Coordinator for the Office of the Bishop. She edits the diocesan website, the Messenger and the e-newsletters: “Clergy News,” “News from the Office of the Bishop” and “Diocesan News.” Prior to joining the staff, she worked in technology and website sales.

 

Colonel James Miller (USA Ret) is a member of St. Bartholomew’s, Poway and the Executive Director of Inland Net. Jim has extensive knowledge of the job search process, the most modern Internet tools and how to find and land jobs that are both rewarding and financially satisfying.

 

Alyssa Osian is the Director of Development and Communications for Episcopal Community Services in San Diego. Ms. Osian came to ECS in May 2007 after serving two years as the Director of Donor Relations for Seacrest Village in Encinitas, and five years as the Associate Director of Special Events for the Jewish Home in San Francisco. She holds a Bachelor in Social Work from San Francisco State University and a Professional Certificate in Non-Profit Management from San Jose State University. Ms. Osian is Membership Chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego, and a charter member of San Diego’s Young Non-Profit Professionals Network.

 

Kirsten Plonka is a youth minister at St. Bartholomew's, Poway, which is bringing spirituality to reality.

 

Susan Rust is a member of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Executive Director of Green Bird Media, the leading Southern California-based website development firm for nonprofit organizations. Susan has constructed websites for the Diocese of San Diego, St. Peter’s, Del Mar, and St. Bartholomew’s, Poway and many other congregations and organizations.

 

Enrique Serrano is the youth minister at Trinity, Escondido Youth Minister. She works on developing a youth ministry that is contemplative and authentic. 

 

Canon Howard Smith, Director of Development, has served on the bishop’s staff since 2005. Before coming to the Diocese of San Diego, he owned a business in Winnetka, Illinois. Active in Episcopal churches, Canon Smith served as Sr. Warden, Jr. Warden, Stewardship chair, and Sunday school teacher. He currently serves on the national CREDO staff as a member of the financial faculty and has recently taken up the role of diocesan fund development.

 

Christine Spalding is the Canon for Administration at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Her most recent corporate position was as a bank vice president in charge of a large consumer loan servicing portfolio. She has held a number of management positions in banking and finance involving project management, audit and human resources. Prior to joining St. Paul’s, she served on the Finance Committee and Peace & Justice Committee and chaired the Nominating Committee. She is a fourth-year EfM student and past president of the local Chapter of the National Association of Church Business Administration.

 

Theresa Tynan is the garden coordinator for Labyrinth: A Community Garden for Ramona and a member of St. Mary’s in-the-Valley. Last year she was inspired to start a garden to provide a place for those in need to grow food and build a community. Theresa has no gardening experience or knowledge (she is a mortgage banker) but she used her business skills to develop and build the garden. The Bishop’s Committee at St. Mary’s in-the-Valley agreed to take a leap of faith by trusting her to build a community garden on church property. Church members, working with volunteers and donors from the community, built the garden which now serves over 25 individuals and families; a local school uses the garden as well. A labyrinth is being built in the garden to provide a place for quiet reflection.

 

Jacky Vel is President, CEO and co-founder of Icology Group Inc. Drawing on 19 years of experience in international business management in the high-tech optics and laser industry, Jacky now applies her vision, integrity and passion for business to a social challenge of immense proportions. She applies the skills and concepts of entreprenuership and corporate management to meet the needs of the impoverished.