Come enjoy being a learner rather than the leader in an advanced Bible study of texts from the Gospel according to John. We will use various approaches of interpretation to delve deeper while also benefiting from engaging in contemplative practices and exploring various ways liturgy interprets scripture.
This Bible study continues through four workshop blocks and is designed with seasoned and retired educators/pastors in mind. If you choose this workshop track, you will sign-up for workshop 101 (A block), 301 (C block), 401 (D block), and 501 (E block).

Come and explore the conference theme through different creative, artistic expressions. Each of the options can then be used to generate discussion about how we live into justice, life, kindness, and joy as a people of faith.

Come to the well with Jesus, Photina[1], the previously unnamed Samaritan woman, and other water-bearers to receive living water. In this workshop, caregivers Will Cameron and Liz Jennings offer you practices of neurodiverse writing, and exuberant worship, and will guide you in new perspectives for engaging mission and everyday service. Led by pastor and teacher, Kathryn Johnson Cameron and community advocate and public-school teacher, Judy Jennings, you will rediscover the ways of reaching across borders, healing wounds, and making connections modeled in John’s Gospel by Jesus and Photina. Draw on your unvoiced challenges and gifts and discover a new community. Draw from the well with Water Bearers Will Cameron and Liz Jennings, their moms, Kathryn and Judy, and other caregivers who share God’s living water. Will, who does not speak, offers you his neuro-graphic writing, immersion meditation, and daily water serving practices. Liz offers her mission hacks, her worship leadership, and her “do what you can when you can” theology. The leaders will share their experiences of kin-enabled, adaptively-communicated, and community-supported care with their exceptional adult children who live at home. As seekers and caregivers, we meet at the reservoir with strangers, family, school and community partners, and church folk, name our thirst, and share the spirit and truth of quenched life.
[1] Both the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches recognize Photina as the unnamed woman from John’s Gospel who meets Jesus at the well near Samaria.

What if I told you that thousands of parents DO value spiritual formation as a vital part of raising their children? You might laugh an exasperated chuckle and gesture around at the many families who are no longer coming to worship on Sunday morning. You might find it hard to believe. But when we talk to parents, not only do they value it, they feel responsible for it. When asked what they want churches to do, they say, “Empower us. Resource us. Support us.” Participants of this workshop will learn new tools for ministries to support families and empower parents/caregivers to answer the call of parenting.

Do you have an idea for a faith study you would like to lead but no curriculum already exists? Come learn about a process to transform your idea into the reality of a multi-week study or single lesson, which is reformed, multi-sensory, and engaging. Whether your original idea is from an existing book or film or is a nugget from a conversation or lecture, you can put together an excellent learning experience. This approach to creating a learning event from a germ of an idea is applicable whether you teach adults, youth, or children.

Many young parents struggle with worship when they have infants in tow. Worshiping with your infant grows your own faith and lays the foundation for forming the child’s faith. This workshop provides a Biblical foundation for infants being present in worship, offers a developmental basis for including infants in worship, defines the new vocation of parent as worship guide, and suggests practical ways worship planners and pastors can support parents in this new role.

Regardless of the age groups served by your ministry, getting away for a retreat is so important. The setting is an incredible place for fellowship and Christian education. This workshop will look at the logistics that go into planning a retreat for youth, adult, and intergenerational groups. The session includes tips on scheduling, structure, and programming (including free curriculum resources).
Offered in partnership with the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association (PCCCA).

Is your congregation thirsting for justice? Do you find charity and mission easy and struggle to figure out how to add justice or advocacy? Are some in your congregation not sure politics belongs in church? Do you want to help build the beloved community but are not sure where to start? In this workshop participants will have the opportunity to name the mission work and charity their congregations participate in and explore how this work connects to larger issues in our communities. We will discuss ways congregations and groups can add advocacy to their existing work to amplify their love of their neighbors and bring about transformation in their communities. Participants will leave with practical next steps and resources to put prayers into action that can be done by children, teens, and adults! While public education advocacy in North Carolina will be one example, the principles and ideas shared will be useful for any topic your congregation may want to support in any location. We hope you will join us as we put prayer into action!

According to Scripture, the earth and its members belong to God. We are called to care for creation, not only because God loves it, but also because a healthy creation supports human well-being. While the biblical writers knew nothing of modern forms of environmental degradation, they did express deeply held views about social justice and even land justice. Humans are part of creation, and what impacts creation impacts us, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. Explore these themes of the 2024–2025 Presbyterian Women/Horizons Bible study on Environmental Justice with author Patricia K. Tull and editor Betsy Ensign-George. The study encompasses justice regarding land, food, water, and air, as well as climate change, environmental justice for future generations, and visions of a sustainable future. Everyone will leave the workshop with resources to lead others in the study.

Pat Baker (POAMN) and Renda Brinson (APCE) co-produced the Care-Partner Toolkit with the contributions of other experts in the field of caregiving. Included in this Toolkit are numerous Quicksheets with information, ideas, and resource links that will assist individuals in the role of care partner and help faith communities in supporting them. During the workshop, we’ll walk participants through the Toolkit and explain the different parts and how they can be utilized with a congregation.  Our hope is that by doing this people will be equipped to go home and use this tool!
Offered in partnership with the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network (POAMN).

This workshop will engage our Biblical imaginations through the creative lens of “The Promise,” a new intergenerational musical. Based on the stories of Genesis 12-25, “The Promise” tells the story of God’s call and promises to Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, and their children, Ishmael and Isaac. Using excerpts of script and songs, we will imagine the characters’ perspectives as they respond to God’s call and seek God’s promise to “bless all the families of the earth.” We follow the family’s journeys toward the blessing: into faith and doubt, famine and fruitfulness, thirst and life-giving water, cries and laughter, oppression and freedom. Along the way, we see a family who is tested and broken. Can this family be restored and dwell together? Diving into this family’s story encourages us to seek God’s blessings for our global family tree and journey toward God’s promise that all families “and faiths of the earth might live in reconciliation.” Laura Jernigan, the composer/lyricist/ book writer, who is also a Presbyterian minister and educator, will provide an overview of the musical and share the inspiration behind her own reimagining of this story, with reference to varied Biblical interpretations as well as Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. Calling for a small cast of adults, youth, and children, “The Promise” offers an exciting performance and educational opportunity for your church or interfaith setting. Come explore “The Promise” and journey toward God’s blessing together.

This workshop will present a theology and practice of children’s sermons. The goal is to give worship leaders concrete skills, supported by a theoretical understanding of the role of the children’s sermon in worship. We will discuss why object lessons so often fall short of their goal and present an argument instead for telling the stories of our faith to the children (and adults) of our congregations.

What if we used practical principles of brain research to help us create, devise, and adapt our faith formation ministries? By looking at the twelve guiding principles identified by brain researcher John Medina in his book Brain Rules, this workshop will dare to dream what faith formation experiences could look like if we applied those practical principles in our faith formation ministries such as educational classes (children, youth, and adults), Bible studies, youth group activities, and even worship. This is a workshop of the imagination and what could be.

“Come, all who are thirsty” to the Living Water found in the Living Word of God. Devotionals rooted in God’s Word help satisfy our thirsty souls and offer opportunities for us to engage with God through personal worship. Writing devotionals for others deepens our faith and relationship with God. Devotional writing is one form of spiritual writing. In this workshop, you will learn about devotional writing, how it differs from other spiritual writing, and why it is important for believers to write. You will learn the importance of the centrality of Scripture in devotional writing, and how to practically write a devotional that will encourage others through the application of Scripture. You also will help new believers grow in faith and provide Living Water for those who are thirsty. Plus, devotional publishers are always looking for new contributors. You may become one of them! Previous writing experience is not required. Anyone who has a heart to share God’s Word with others is welcome to attend.