ENGAGING IN EFFECTIVE MISSION
EM101/102 Theology of Mission in the African Context.
The Theology of Mission, which begins with being created in the Image of God, can present special challenges in Africa as Africans strive to interweave their own creation stories with that of Christianity. How to live out that mission theology also can present special challenges, particularly where there has been great conflict in a nation, and especially in nations where Islam and Christianity often are in conflict with each other. This session will look at both the joys and challenges of mission work in Africa.
EM103/104 Working Creatively With Diversity in Mission.
This session will explore the challenges of handling diversity in attempts to creatively expand both our understanding of and practice in global mission. Using the mission agency scene in Britain as a case-study, we will critically examine how theological diversity and disparity of approach among the mission and development agencies and diocesan Companion Links is handled and any meaning for those beyond Britain.
EM105/106 Servant Leadership: Relationships and the Art of Motivation.
This workshop will explore the importance of relationship in the art of leadership and how the cultural perspective of people in the US is different from much of the rest of the world.
EM107/018 ERD and Community-based Development.
This workshop will consider how relationships are built to make a significant difference in the communities where Episcopal Relief and Development works. Two of ERD's international partners from the Philippines will present their experiences and facilitate a practical discussion on how to be part of substantive efforts to reduce poverty. They will address questions of development practice as it seeks to transform the lives of the most vulnerable, engaging people in defining their own path to improve the quality and dignity of their lives. What are the most effective processes for supporting people as they seek to improve their lives? How do we avoid creating dependency on continued assistance? What does "do no harm" mean in the context of partnerships between richer and poorer communities?
EM109 United Thank Offering: Past, Present, Future.
The Foundation of Prayer and Thanksgiving, the United Thank Offering provides the opportunity to make our own thank offering - to affirm who and what and where we are, by offering ourselves and our lives to God with Thanksgiving, and by distributing ourselves, our talents, and our treasures to those in our home, our community, and the world. The workshop will look at the granting process: who, how and where - and the results, as well as the network: you, your parish, dioceses, province, nation, and world. Come hear the rich history of the UTO, find out what is happening today, and learn about some new ideas for the future. This will be an interactive workshop sharing stories, successes and surprises.
EM110 United Thank Offering: New Models for Expanding Thankfulness.
This is an open forum to learn and share with each others come and reveal your successful models of grateful giving, divulge secrets that are working in your parish and/or in your diocese, expose your hidden passion for prayer and thanksgiving, unveil your brilliant ideas!
EM111/112 Funding for Mission: How to Get the Money God Wants You to Have for Gods Work.
We will examine the whys of what we do in light of the biblical record, as well as look at what has been successful in several places in the procuring of funds for the mission of the Church.
EM113/114 An African Approach to Reproducing Christian Leadership.
This workshop is designed to help inform and stimulate the participants to better understand an African approach (in terms of Northern Kenya and the rain forest of Madagascar) to reproducing Christian leaders in the context of evangelism, discipleship and ministry.
EM115/116 Living, Working, and Serving in a Restricted Access Country (China).
Douglas and Elaine Culver will share their experiences of living in China since 1999. To serve in China one needs a Resident Visa or something similar, especially in one wishes to work long-term. The Culvers have been able to open an office that allows them to earn money, hire Chinese and foreigners. It even allows them to provide their employees the ability to travel outside of the country. These experiences provide them the opportunity to work among various ethnic groups that live near the Burmese and Laos borders.
EM117 Companions in Transformation: What Does It Look Like?
This roundtable discussion looks at overseas mission today and visions mission into the future. Panel includes: Titus Presler (General Theological Seminary), Hellen Wangusa (Anglican Observer, United Nations), Glenda McQueen, Sandi McPhee (Chair, International Concerns, Executive Council), Stephen Lyon (Church of England, Partnerships in World Mission), and Michael Doe (USPG) and is moderated by David Copley (Mission Personnel Officer of The Episcopal Church) and Elizabeth Beach-Hacking (United Thank Offering Coordinator).
EM118 Every Mission Has a Story: Oral History Project
The ongoing mission of The Archives of the Episcopal Church is to document and maintain the history of the Church as well as to support the faithful in their search for meaning in mission and ministry. During this conference, we invite you to share your unique mission story by participating in our oral history program Every Mission Has a Story. Please visit us during registration and throughout the conference to schedule a short conversation. Your recorded interview will join the church’s permanent collection of mission history materials already in place and available to researchers from around the world.
EM119/120 The Kingdom of God in Sudan.
Working in Sudan presents special challenges for missionaries, in part because of the unstable situation, in part because of government restrictions (both U.S. and Sudanese), and in part because the people there live in what Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul has called a “culture of war.” This workshop will give an overview of Sudan’s history and look at the work the Church is doing in Sudan, particularly focusing on peace, justice and reconciliation efforts, and how the Church in Sudan incorporates partners in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
EM121/122 Journey to Partnership: Two Dioceses’ Companion Relationship. This workshop will tell the story of how two dioceses - Diocese of Missouri and Diocese of Atlanta - walked the path toward their respective partnerships. It will looks at the models they adopted, bumps in the road, and the current status of their relationships.
EM 123/124 Promoting Health & Curing Disease: Sustainability/Health Missions.
Historically, concerns about financial solvency have plagued cross-cultural Christian medical clinics and hospitals. this session will consider the economic pressures on mission health care facilities, responses to those pressures, the changing world-wide health care environment, and recommendations that health missions concentrate on preventive medicine and community health, rather than curative medicine.
EM 125/126 Making Friends of Strangers: Refugees and Migrants.
This session looks at understanding the parish as a sponsor of and advocate for refugees, the experience of Guest and Host, the crisis of global migration and the Voice of the Church in understanding the moral and spiritual dimensions of the worldwide crisis of refugees, migrants, and other forcibly displaced populations.
EM 127/128 Balancing Local Community Empowerment and Mission Teams. This workshop will explore the creative dynamic between mission teams and local community leaders who work together to impact a given community. With case examples from Central America, this workshop is intended for those interested in the transformational impact (both positive and negative) of mission visits.
EM 129/130 Principles and Practices of Church-based Micro-enterprise Development.
This session will give an overview of the theology behind holistic development using the micro credit and micro enterprise development as its primary focus. Attendees will learn practical tips for churches and missionaries interested in starting or supporting micro enterprise development project.
EM 131/132 Retirement: A Time for Mission Work.
What do you do with your skills after retirement? Do you put them on a shelf, never to use them again? Mission work in retirement is one of the most satisfying, life-changing, spiritually enriching ventures you can imagine. Come hear how one couple did it.
EM 133/134 Staying Healthy in the Mission Field: Lions/Tigers/Bears.
An overview of the health risks involved when serving in developing countries. A detailed discussion of prevention and treatment for these illnesses, product information, questions and answers period will follow the presentation. This workshop will be helpful for anyone new to mission work (individuals or groups) and anyone who would like a review.
EM 135/136 Seminary as Mission Training Site.
Through the commitment of living in community, the intellectual challenges of a 1-to-3 year theological curriculum, and the opportunities for supervised cross-cultural pastoral and teaching work in multiple US and overseas sites, Episcopal seminaries in various parts of the United States can help you test a calling and prepare for the demanding work of a short-term, long-term, or nonresidential missionary.
EM 137/138 Theological Models for Global/Local Mission.
A major shift has taken place in our global world: the problem in the 21st century involves the uncontrolled rise of religious passion rather than the fear of apathy toward God. Religious fundamentalism rather than the overtaking of religion by secularization is the context for mission. Using this as a backdrop for reflection, the presenters outline and critically discuss four existing models for viewing Christian mission: I. Christian mission based on ecclesiology (Church), i.e., “planting churches;” II. Christian mission anchored in soteriology (Salvation), i.e., “saving souls;” III. Christian Mission founded on eschatology (End time or final age), i.e., “saving from final judgment;” IV. Christian mission funded by an understanding of the Triune God (Common life in love) i.e. “Saved into Life.”
EM 139/140 Christian Mission and Otherness.
The objective of Christian mission is moving from overpowering otherness to facilitating multiple assertions of otherness in light of the good news made available to the world in Jesus Christ. In India, caste is employed to create fear of a religious and social other. By lifting up the plight of Dalits (180 million Untouchable peoples in India) we first explicate the oppressive and destructive mechanics of caste and the manner in which it perpetuates suffering on millions today. We then reinterpret the positive contribution of the history of Christian mission in the emancipation of Dalits in Hindu India. Finally, we re-imagine the Gospel as a potent force that can continue to derail the internal structures of colonization and construct a more liberating relationship pattern among human beings that is pleasing to God.
EM 145 Missionary Memories: A Precious Resource.
We have a hidden treasure in the Episcopal Church – our rich mission history and the people who made it! Kelly and Priscilla Clark, whose mission service focused on theological education in Asia for more than 20 years, will participate in an oral history workshop designed to inspire all of us go out and interview others.
EM146 World Mission Screening Room
Take time out to watch a great movie or two (or more) in the World Mission Screening Room, which offers videos from mission projects around the world. This is a vibrant way to see the many ways we build relationships and live out God’s mission.
EM 147/148 Redeeming the Forgotten Half of Mission: Come Home to Empower People.
Short and long term missionaries are often at a loss when they return home to sending communities that cannot easily grasp what they have experienced in Christ and culture abroad. Workshop participants will learn how to recover the fullness of the mission story so they may enter their own into its continuum, and introduce their mission into the ancient record of faith.
EM 149/150 The Church of North India in Mission (ERD).
This workshop will examine how the Church of North India engages in mission and will provide an overview of its mission priorities and methodologies for work within marginalized communities to engage people in improving the quality of their lives. Some of the programs to be discussed may include human rights, peace and conflict resolution, combating human trafficking, economic development, humanitarian aid and emergency relief, refugees and migrants, and health care.
EM 151/152 Communications as Witness: Telling your Mission Story. Experiencing short-term or long-term mission service requires that you give witness by telling others about it. Learn to tell your mission story from the field or once you return home through a variety of media - printed newsletters, booklets, blogs and websites. This workshop will give examples of how missioners are witnessing through both standard and electronic media, as well as offer step-by-step ways to spread the Good News of a mission experience.
THE CHURCH AND ISLAM
CI101/102 Responding to Muslims in Our Neighborhood.
This workshop offers the opportunity to learn more about Islam, building bridges, understanding Muslims, and learning more about how to reach out to them.
CI103/104 The Sum of All Heresies: Image of Islam in Western Thought.
This session traces the emerging image of Islam in Western thought from the Bible through contemporary films, from classical writers, and popular songs, as well as through the work of political scientists, missionaries, etc.
CI105/106 Building Common Good.
This workshop will explore various ways to engage your parish in meaningful Christian-Muslim relations. Bill will describe the work being done by The Center for Interfaith Reconciliation, based at St. Stephen’s Church in Richmond Virginia, to promote cultural and religious understanding with the local Muslim community, as well as opportunities for immersion in Islamic cultures through short-term international pilgrimages.
CI107/108 Pakistan: Christian Service in the Majority Community.
This interactive workshop begins with an overview of the world's fastest-growing religion and its contemporary expression. It looks at post-9/11 events and attitudes before focusing on how a small Christian minority in the Diocese of Peshawar on the turbulent North West Frontier of Pakistan continues to serve the majority community around it. Over the last hundred years and often against great odds, Christians have faithfully shown the love of Christ in action to all their neighbors through hospitals, schools, colleges, and other places of care and compassion.
MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND BEYOND
MDG 101/102 Beijing Circles: Connecting our Faith to Local/Global Action. How can people in our churches become more familiar with the issues and cultures involved in mission work without leaving the country? If you think you might be called to global work of some sort, or if you are interested in the issues of the MDG's and want to engage others, the Beijing Circles curriculum is a tool to work through these questions in a prayerful setting. Learn about the resource and how to use it. Those who attend will be given the book and an introductory DVD.
MDG 103/104 Where there is no Farm Advisor: Sustainable Agriculture. Missionaries sometimes find themselves working in rural areas where people struggle to produce enough food. Come and learn simple, sustainable techniques that can greatly improve the yield of crops. No agricultural experience is necessary. We will also discuss cultural sensitivity and other issues tha arise in this work. You will be provided with a booklet of techniques for later reference, and you will have the opportunity to win Moringa ("The Miracle Tree") seeds.
MDG 105 The Impact of Climate Change on the Church’s Mission.
How is global climate change impacting the Church's mission in the world? What is the relationship between climate change and poverty? How is climate change impacting cor ministries of the church, such as refugee resettlement and disaster relief? How is climate change connected with each of the Millennium Development Goals? These questions are the focus of this workshop.
MDG 107/108 Transforming Your Congregation.
You've preached the sermon, done the adult ed class, and have the 0.7% line item in your budget. Now what? We'll look at how to use the groundwork you've already laid to lead a call to transformation of congregational life and individual lives. How engaging God's mission of global reconciliation invites us to look at our stewardship, liturgy, theology - as well as our lives as American citiznes and participants in Western culture and society - with different eyes. The good news is: You've only just begun!
MDG 109/110 Theology of the MDGs.
The Millennium Development Goals are nothing new - they're a 21st century structure for a life to which Christ has called the Church (and to which the Church has responded) for centuries. We'll look at the theological foundation for this work and how embracing the MDGs can lead us deeper in our journey into Christ.
MDG 111/112 MDGs Beyond the Buzzword/ERD & Intl. Development.
The Church is talking a lot about the Millennium Development Goals, but how many can you name? do you know what you can do to address them? This workshop discusses the MDGs in all of their complexity, but suggests concrete ways for you to facilitate their achievement. By highlighting the work of Episcopal Relief and Development, this workshop examines what Episcopalians are doing around the world in international development and how you can be a part of it. By raising your consciousness and beginning to think missionally, you can engage God's mission internationally.
MDG 113/114 Human Trafficking: The Episcopal Church Response.
What can the church do to help combat the insidious practice of human trafficking? A resolution has already been passed by general convention calling for education on the issue but how are victims being treated? How can legislation be written by states to be more effective in punishing the perpetrators? How can our children be protected from being snatched off the street and taken as sex slaves? Our panel representing different aspects of the issue will discuss their work and together we will look for actions the church can take.
MDG 115/116 Poverty in the Dominican Republic.
This workshop will show the poverty situation in the Dominican Republic and compare it with other Latin American countries, as well as first-world countries, emphasizing the difficulties of reaching the Millennium Development Goals.
GLOBAL EPISCOPAL MISSION NETWORK CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
GEM 101/102 Effective Mission Team Communication.
Good communication among your mission team members and your host is an essential element of your mission experience. This workshop will focus on techniques which will help you communicate well as you organize and conduct your mission trip.
GEM 103/104 MDGs and Grassroots Mission.
This workshop will focus on creative ideas from around the Diocese of Virginia and around the country from parishes seeking to respond to the Millennium Development Goals.
GEM 105/106 Organization and Fund-raising for Short-term Mission.
Learn effective ways to organize and fund short-term mission - from vetting and training mission team members to making sure all travel documents are in order. This is a great nuts-and-bolts workshop, designed to give you the tools to engage in more effective global mission.
GEM 107/108 The Role of Dioceses in Mission Engagement.
This GEM Institute workshop (open to all) is a discussion focused upon the role of dioceses and bishops in fostering, preparing and supporting the spirituality of mission engagement and, following the mission experience, honoring and receiving the insights gained.
Ready to set up your workshop schedule? Click HERE, enter your registration number (begins with 43N), then go to the "Workshops" page and make your selections.
