To: Clergy, Wardens, Vestry Members, Treasurers and Leaders
From: Gordon Scruton, Bill Coyne, Sarah Shofstall and Steve Abdow
Subject: Wardens, Vestry and Leadership Gathering
Saturday, March 6, 2010, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
American International College, Springfield, MA
The leaders in our diocese have long understood the importance of learning from one another. We have changed the format of this year’s event to do our work in the context of Worshipful Work – we will sing, dwell in the Word, reflect together, pray, learn and complete the day with Eucharist.
During particularly stressful times it is particularly important for leaders to pay attention to their own spiritual lives. The plenary and several workshops will focus on how to do that. Other workshops will offer specific ideas about how to help congregations move forward in mission. Still others will help to develop the nuts and bolts skills of congregational leadership. There will be something for everyone. We hope that you will bring a large group. We are certain that everyone who attends will go home with some new ideas, new relationships and new energy for ministry.
Below you will find links to a schedule for the day, a list of workshops and a registration form. Please return the registration form (one per congregation) along with a check for the registration fee by February 26th.
Early Registration $10.00 per person if received by February 26, 2010
Late Registration $20.00 per person if received after February 26, 2010
Schedule of Events (updated February 10. 2010)
9:30 -10:30 a.m. Plenary: Spiritual Practices for Finding God’s Guidance - Bishop Scruton
10:45 a.m. Workshops
12:00 p.m. Noon Day Prayers & Lunch
1:15 p.m. Creativity & Change
1:45 p.m. Workshops
3:00 p.m. Liturgy of the Table
3:45 p.m. Evaluation & Closing
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Morning Workshops
From Conflict to Opportunity – Canon Shofstall
Small Groups - a core concept of life in Christ – The Rev. Len Cowan & team
Legacy Stewardship round table - John White
For Wardens Only – Bishop Scruton
Vestry 101– Archdeacon Coyne
Congregational Development Investments – Stories & Strategies – The Rev. Nancy Strong and team
Treasurers’ Roundtable- Steve Abdow and team
Mixed Messages...what is your worship service really saying? - The Rev. Jill Williams
Afternoon Workshops
37 ways to highlight and form stewards all year -- Bruce Rockwell
Project Management for Vestries – Robin Hammeal-Urban
Vestry Graduate School – Canon Shofstall Choosing
Deep Change over Slow Death – Bishop Scruton
Congregational Development Investments – One-to-One Coaching - The Rev. Nancy Strong and team
Simple Living: Spiritual living for busy people – The Rev. Jill Williams Prayer - A Two Way Conversation with God – The Rev. Scott Seabury
Annual Parish Audits - Esther Barker
Web Presence for Churches: Life after the Yellow Pages – Warren Hicks
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This annual event is held in March for Clergy, Wardens, Vestry Members, Treasurers and Leaders of the Diocese. Read about the 2009 gathering in the Pastoral Staff.