Workshops

Here’s an updated workshop list, current as of 2 December 2008!
 

Lighten Up!

w/ Cuyler Black, Inherit the Mirth

Offering compelling evidence for the reality of God’s sense of humor, Cuyler digs into the Bible and beyond for a fresh perspective on the “God who brings laughter”. Through original illustrations, insight and humor, Cuyler zeroes in on the fact that much of the time Jesus was trying to get people to “lighten up”!

 

Christianity and Climate Change

w/ Bruce Wilson, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

This workshop will cover the basic scientific data demonstrating human-caused climate change and discuss actions that individuals can take to reduce their “carbon footprint”, as well as citizen science contributions to climate change research. We will also explore what Scripture says about caring for Creation, as well as the challenges and rewards of being both a scientist and a Christian.

 

Finding the Spark! Song Writing and Inspiration

w/ Jonathan Kingham, musician

Join Jonathan for an exploration of the song writing process. He will look at different musical styles, offer some exercises to tap into your creativity, and get into the “bones” of the song. Participants are encouraged to bring musical instruments to the workshop.

 

Listening with the Ear of Your Heart

w/ Carol Webb, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

This workshop will delve into Christian spirituality and how to look inward and use the heart in listening to and dealing with others.

 

Searching for Sacred Space: Pilgrims Unto Christ

w/ Bruce Chapman, Presbyterian University Center at Florida State University

Participants will consider the Christian practice of pilgrimage, including an overview of its biblical roots and theological underpinnings. We will explore what pilgrims do and what pilgrimages entail for Christians past and present. Workshop includes an actual pilgrimage to and from the Montreat reservoir. While there, we will walk the labyrinth nearby. Clothing appropriate to a moderate, 2-mile hike out-of-doors in winter imperative: wind or rain, snow or blow-we go! Expect a 2-hour commitment for the full experience.

 

Responding with Generosity

w/ Frank Colladay, Daahlonega Presbyterian Church

Often times when controversial things come up we divide into camps. This workshop will give communication and education tools that will allow us to work together, in spite of differing points of view. The purpose of this workshop is to provide some tools and techniques that might be helpful to keep communication flowing when dealing with contentious issues.

 

The Future of Campus Ministry

w/ Sylvia Wilson, PC(USA) Associate for Collegiate Ministries

Building on the historical foundations of Presbyterian/Reformed campus ministries, campus ministry staff and student participants will collaboratively envision a future for those ministries within the PC(USA) and identify initial steps that must be taken for the vision to become a reality. The goal is for every participant (i.e., students, laity, clergy, collegiate ministry staff, college administrators, reps from middle governing bodies and GA, et al) to make a commitment to the vision and the work.

 

Americorps: Serve. Learn. Lead.

w/ Rachel Harrod, Americorp

What does “Serve. Learn. Lead” mean, you ask? Come talk to an Americorps volunteer who has just completed two years as a construction supervisor serving with Americorps Habitat for Humanity in Johns Island, SC. Rachel will let you know how you can become a part of Americorps, and the impact that you can have in a local community in America by participating in community service. You are invited to come, pick up information, and see how easy it is to apply and make this part of your after college experience. All ages welcome, from freshmen in college to adult advisors.

 

Across Belize

w/ Scott Neely, Alamance Presbyterian Church

A year ago, Scott completed a 10-day expedition bicycling more than 400 miles across Belize over paved and dirt roads, jungle paths, and up mountains, and across rivers, dodging a hurricane to finish the ride. The purpose of the trip was to raise money for projects in Belize sponsored by Rivers of the World (ROW), a nonprofit global mission organization that provides research, education, and medical/dental services, as well as assist with church plantings. Come hear about his adventure (and crazy misadventures), watch part of a video documenting his ride, and discover how ordinary people doing creative and simple services for others can change lives!

 

Apocalyptic Presidential Politics

w/ Andy Cooke, Presbyterian Student Center, University of Georgia

This workshop will explore the religious issues in our society around presidential politics. We will have a conversation about the stated and implied ways that the media and individuals have scrutinized the faith of candidates, put them into messianic forms, and/or fashioned them into anti-Christs. We will conclude our discussion by defining what is a spiritually healthy posture for us as Christians to take in this larger conversation.

 

Unscripted: Life After College

w/ Tommy Brown, Appalacian State University

Most of you have been following the script since you were in kindergarten. You knew what would happen each Fall, Winter, Spring, and often in the Summer. Now you are heading into an “unscripted” season of life – post-college. This isn’t going to be so much a workshop (because I don’t have your script to follow), but will be a conversation about future scenarios, about all the choices before you, and about the grace in finding and following faith in the midst of times of uncertainty.

 

Presbyterian Young Adult Volunteers: A Year of Service for a Lifetime of Change

w/ Maggie Leonard, Columbia Theological Seminary

Young Adult Volunteers (YAV) is a year-long, faith-based service program offered through the Presbyterian Church (USA) with 15 sites in the U.S. and around the world. This workshop will include a personal account of the YAV experience by presenter Maggie Leonard, who served as a Young Adult Volunteer in Guatemala between 2005 and 2006. Maggie will describe how her life changed as a result of her service through the YAV program. She will also answer questions about how and when to apply, and how to discern whether YAV is the right program for you.