Class Descriptions

Bob Pierson
This class gives clear understanding for sharing the faith in a very secular world, how Christians can be effective in reaching new people. It is based upon the new book, "TELL" by Dr. Pierson

Brittany Sky Stanley
We will have an open forum where we will discuss the most successful VBS strategies, curriculum, and resources we have had in our children's ministry summer programs. I will bring my favorite ideas, and I hope you will bring yours to share as well! This class is for anyone who works with or supervises those who work with children, and are interested in bringing back new ideas for their congregations summer programming for children and families.

Jennifer Dodson and Bea Paul
Women today are very familiar with the term "commitment." In fact, their lives are filled with commitments to: work, family, community, etc. Where does commitment to God and what God wants for their lives fit into this mix? How might the church help women find a way to "be still and know" God as the Living Presence at the center of their lives and not just one more commitment? Join the discussion on this topic with Jennifer Dodson who works with "Breathe" - a women's ministry at her church.

Susan Southall
The power of the Wesleyan revival of the 18th century was in part due to John and Charles Wesley's strong beliefs that for the church to be the church out in the world, the people also needed a strong spiritual foundation based on the disciplines of prayer, scripture study, worship, and sacraments. In our effort to "be the church" in a fast-pasted, "never enough time" culture, how can we call people back to our Wesleyan roots of works AND piety? In this class we will pursue how to help people find a way to be connected with God on a daily basis so as to strengthen them for the work of discipleship. Designed for small group leaders, clergy, or anyone who wants to "Stay In Love With God" (from Bishop Job's "Three Simple Rules")

Conference Youth Team
Introduction to the new confirmation curriculum

Judy Connor
A cancer diagnosis is a frightening experience. The individual may feel fear, uncertainty, anxiety, depression, anger, isolation and hopelessness-sometimes all at once! Family and friends, too, go through a wide range of feelings, including helplessness: we want to help, but we just don't know how. Having a cancer care ministry in your congregation can help bridge that abyss of despair and suffering. As Christians, we are called to minister to the sick. At the same time, however, we need to be very careful in how we interact with people who are experiencing a serious diagnosis.

Judy Benson
Is God calling your church to expand your ministries? All laity who see a need or feel the heart tug for making a difference and desire methods for success in beginning new ministries are welcomed.

Jim Hollifield
We will investigate this foundation on which all other congregational success is build. Methods to build will be discussed and destructive practices will identified.

Brian Bakeman
Are finances running your church or is your church running the finances? This class is designed for the chairs of Finance Committees, new and old, to discuss the leadership role of the chair.

1-10 Generations and the Church: Understanding How Each Connects Differently to the Body of Christ

Becky Pierson
Becky will lead the group through an interactive study of the five primary generations within our churches and the influence of Postmodernism on these generations, ending with a discussion of how the American church is and should be reacting to this current culture.

Adam Shahan
"Gambling is a menace." "Capital punishment limits the ability of Christ to redeem." "Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching." "Same-sex couples deserve power of attorney rights and equal civil privileges under law." "Abortion is never desirable, but necessary under certain circumstances." RILED up yet? Most people are about these pressing and, at times, controversial issues. However, unless we can commit as a church to faithful and effective dialogue concerning these issues, we will never move forward as a body and the house will divide.

Donna Dodson
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is the administrative unit in a local church where staff and congregational interests meet in order to focus on the mission of the church. So what are the exact tasks of the SPRC? Are job descriptions necessary? How does the appointment process work? How do we handle conflict in the church? If you are on the SPRC/PPR committee you are invited to attend this class.

Adam Brinson & Devon Krause
This workshop for teens will help them to discover who they are and how their talents, spiritual gifts, personality, values and passions can help them decide what to do with their lives. The workshop will help teens understand themselves better and see how they are a unique part of God's plan. A better understanding of differences in people and relationships will also help them to get along better at school, at work and in their families.

Bob Pierson
This class gives clear understanding for sharing the faith in a very secular world, how Christians can be effective in reaching new people. It is based upon the new book, "TELL" by Bob Pierson.

Brittany Sky Stanley
We will have an open forum where we will discuss the most successful programming we have had in our children's ministry programs. I will bring my favorite ideas, and I hope you will bring yours to share as well! This class is for anyone who works with or supervises those who work with children, and are interested in bringing back new ideas for their congregations.

Jerry Gill
Local church historians and other laity interested in their church's history and church staff involved in maintaining official records and historical documents will benefit from this session.  Information and materials about traditional programs and guidelines for preserving local church history will be provided. New this year will be a video presentation and discussion of oral interviews  as a simple and yet compelling way to capture the history and heritage of your church and the "stories" of individuals who lived and helped shape its history.

Tom Hoffman
"Missionary" is one of the oldest and most honored offices of the Christian church, with origins found in Paul's writings in the New Testament. UM missionaries witness and serve in dramatically different locales and cultures and engage in a range of professions and activities. In this workshop, find out how your church can be actively involved in the work our missionaries do on our behalf. The class is great for anyone who wants to know more about how the UMC makes a difference around the world!

Susan Southall
The power of the Wesleyan revival of the 18^th century was in part due to John and Charles Wesley's strong beliefs that for the church to be the church out in the world, the people also needed a strong spiritual foundation based on the disciplines of prayer, scripture study, worship, and sacraments. In our effort to "be the church" in a fast-pasted, "never enough time" culture, how can we call people back to our Wesleyan roots of works and piety? In this class we will pursue how to help people find a way to be connected with God on a daily basis so as to strengthen them for the work of discipleship. Designed for small group leaders, clergy, or anyone who wants to "Stay in Love with God" (from Bishop Job's "Three Simple Rules")

Conference Youth Team
Social Media is everywhere! Our neighbors, family, friends, youth, former classmates, and many companies use social media to connect with others. Facebook and Twitter are seen everywhere when it comes to staying in touch and getting the word out! What is its place in our church? How can it be used to communicate and announce our ministries and events to our members and the general public. We will cover how to set up Facebook groups for the church and how Facebook and Twitter can be used in different ways that benefit our church!

Judy Benson
One of the beautiful things about the UMC is that we are connectional. Because we are connectional we are open to allowing the Holy Spirit to help us learn from each other. This class will provide an opportunity for the sharing of what ministries and or events worked for your church and then in turn you will receive information on what worked for other churches around our Conference. To attend this class, we ask that you bring with you at least one ministry that has worked for your church to share with others. This will be a time of constant discussion, brain storming and question and answering. We are the Church, together!

Dianne Peters
This class will help pastors, PPR members, youth directors and other interested laity have conversations with people who are hearing God's call for a future in lay or ordained ministry. "Did you know we have at least 17 possibilities for specific ministries in the UMC?"

Brian Bakeman
The job of the Trustees includes managing the buildings, risk management, other legal issues, and bequests.

Adam Shahan
"Gambling is a menace." "Capital punishment limits the ability of Christ to redeem." "Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching." "Same-sex couples deserve power of attorney rights and equal civil privileges under law." "Abortion is never desirable, but necessary under certain circumstances." RILED up yet? Most people are about these pressing and, at times, controversial issues. However, unless we can commit as a church to faithful and effective dialogue concerning these issues, we will never move forward as a body and the house will divide.

Gayle Edmison
Discussions on how local congregations can minister to people based on mobility-rather than age-in the areas of spiritual development, health, fellowship, education, life transitions, service, intergenerational interaction, daily assistance, and National Grandparent's Day. This is directed towards anyone interested in ministry by, for, to, and with the growing numbers of older adults in our communities.

Adam Brinson & Devon Krause
This second session will be a time to discuss the future of the District Youth Council and brainstorm ideas to get it headed in the right direction