Session A: 2:30-3:40 P.M. Workshop Descriptions
Becoming Leaders After God's Own Heart: Praying the Psalms Rev. Steve Simon, Honorably Retired PC(USA) Pastor God once described David as "a man after my own heart," and David is also closely associated with the book of Psalms. In this workshop, we will explore how praying the psalms can help us become leaders after God's own heart. We'll examine the nature and purpose of the Psalter, discuss ways of praying the psalms, and learn about the value of and strategies to memorize the psalms. Steve is a retired PCUSA pastor and has served churches in Michigan, Idaho, and Washington. He is also the author of "Holy Walks: Learning and Praying the Psalms (Wipf and Stock, 2019) and has taught and preached about the Psalms for over a decade.
Called into God's Mission: A New Model for Vocational Discernment Eric Robinson, PhD in Intercultural Studies, Columbia International University What does it mean to be called? How does one discern their calling? What if we could root the nature of our calling from a missional perspective? This workshop seeks to understand how a deeper understanding of the mission Dei and imago Dei can help believers discern the work to which they are called and equip them for missional witness. Eric is a graduate of Columbia International University with a PhD in Intercultural Studies, and a graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary with a Master's in Christian Education. His doctoral research focused on how a fuller understanding of God's mission can equip Christians live out their calling in and through their work. Heis also a career teacher and currently teaches 6th grade math and social studies at Walnut Grove Christian School.
Church Officer Training for Beginners and Veterans (Please bring a copy of the Book of Order) Rev. Dr. Hoover & Rev. Olivia Haney, Providence Presbytery This workshop will explore the beauty and brilliance of Presbyterian polity as it is established in our constitution and practiced by the congregations and councils of our church. We will gain an increased appreciation for and understanding of the way our church is organized and governed and the responsibilities assumed and shared by those set apart within it to serve in ordered ministries. Hoover and Olivia Haney are Transitional Co-Presbyters and Stated Clerk of Providence Presbytery. Olivia has been a Presbyterian Minister since 1985 and Hoover since 1987.
Connecting During Times of Crisis Mark McCain, Moderator, SC Presbyterian Disaster Assistance In this workshop, we will define and establish an understanding of the basic concepts of setting up a program of ministry to assure the preparedness of your congregation to manage a man-made or natural disaster. The overarching objective is to instill confidence by your fellow Christians to lead and manage events surrounding the responsibilities of Christian service to our communities of faith. As an Elder of Sea Island Presbyterian Church of Beaufort, SC., and a National Response Team (NRT) member of the PC USA's Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program, Mark brings his experience in natural and manmade disasters and as a civil engineer to serve as the Moderator of the South Carolina Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team assisting our five presbyteries and commissions.
Effective Anthems for Church Choirs Dr. Don Rogers, Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church, Rock Hill This workshop will review and rehearse many anthems that are suitable for church choirs of varying voices (unison, 2-part, 3-part, and 4-part) as well as rehearsal techniques and conducting strategies. Dr. Rogers has served as Director of Music at First Presbyterian Rock Hill since 2008 and retired in 2019 as the Chair of the Department of Music at Winthrop University in 2019. He has been a Certified Church Musician (CCM) through the Presbyterian Association of Musicians since 1985
Listen to Care: Learn the Skills to Actively Listen Rev. Sally Franklin, Priest, St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fort Mill In our frenzied pace, self-centered culture, we have become a people who seek first to be understood rather than to seek first to understand. In this workshop, you will learn the skills of active listening - especially in a pastoral environment where we are all called to care for one another. As part of this workshop, participants will practice the skills of active listening. The Rev. Sally Franklin has been an Episcopal priest for 27 years and the rector of St. Paul's in Fort Mill, SC for 18 years. She loves doing pastoral ministry and teaching lay persons to provide pastoral care.
Mission Trips: What is Your Who, What, When, and Why? Rev. Erika Funk, Director of CROSS Ministries, Charlotte, NC Whether you have limited experience planning mission trips or are looking for a booster, answer the four W's in this workshop: Why are you doing mission, Where is your heart engaged, Who is it for, and What are you going to bring back? We will discuss how to be a true partner in ministry, what questions to ask before you serve. Rev. Erika Funk is the director of CROSS Missions, located in Charlotte, NC. CROSS combines service, worship and learning to create engaging service experiences for youth groups.
Preserving Your Family's & Church Family's Heritage: An Introduction to Archival Records John Skardon, Genealogy Librarian, York County Library This workshop is an introduction to archival concepts including organizing and gathering records; best practices for preservation, arrangement and storage; creating disaster plans; deaccession of records; creating retention schedules; digitization of materials; writing a church history; and whether to transfer materials to a denominational or regional archives. John currently serves as the York County Library, Special Collections/Genealogy Librarian, a position he has held since 2016. He received his MSLS Archives & Records Management degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012.
Sunday's Coming, Again? Rev. Joanne Sizoo, Pastor Grace Presbyterian Church (Y) Connie Bonebrake, Chair of Worship Team, Grace Presbyterian Church (Y) Ginger Deaton, Director of Music, Grace Presbyterian Church (Y) In this workshop, we will look at best practices - or at least OUR practices - and resources for planning worship that is faithful, Reformed, and engaging. Joanne Sizoo is pastor at Grace, Fort Mill, and active in Providence Presbytery. She's a straight, cis gender white woman who works hard to be aware of her privilege and use it on behalf of marginalized folks. Connie Bonebrake ischair of the worship team at Grace. She is a Population Health Leader for Humana, where she works for health care access for underserved populations. Ginger Deaton is Director of Music Ministries at Grace and teaches piano.
Using Technology to Reach Outside the Walls of the Church Rhett Eckhardt: Current Tech Support Fort Mill School District & Former Tech & Communication Support, Grace Presbyterian Church (Y) This workshop will demonstrate the various ways to livestream church services, meetings, and events. It will show different ways to have hybrid meetings so your church can include both a group of people in-person and online at the same meeting! Many people are leager to use technology to expand the church's reach but just don't know where and how to begin. Join us for the information you need to use technology as an effective evangelism tool. Rhett began working with the youth at Grace while also working on the technology and audio/video aspects of the church. Over the course of the pandemic, he spearheaded adding equipment to livestream worship, while also helping meetings and study groups be able to meet remotely. and in a hybrid format.
What To Do With Just a Few: Faith Formation with a Variety of Ages Kathryn McGregor, Certified Christian Educator, Unity Presbyterian Church "Our church has one 3-year-old, one 5th grader, and one high schooler. How do we offer Sunday school for this wide range of ages?" "Our church has no children. / guess we can't do children's ministry. "Before the pandemic, we had a nice size group for youth group. Now, we're lucky if we have one or two.' This workshop will offer ideas for churches who want to offer faith formation, but don't have enough of any age group to do things the way we used to. Hear about ministry ideas and resources that can help and how other churches are creating new and exciting ministries - with just a few! Kathryn McGregor is a Certified Christian Educator, currently serving as the Director of Christian Education at Unity Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill. She previously served as the Associate for Christian Education for Providence Presbytery where she gained a love for resourcing small churches who don't have educational staff.