Workshops at the assembly

Saturday afternoon, May 31 st  

** Please note that there are a variety of offerings which follow. Some workshops are offered at both sessions, some only at 1:00 PM or at 2:15 PM. One workshop, listed last on the list, is an off-site “field trip” which must be signed up for (at the Hunger display table) and which will not allow for more than one workshop experience. Enjoy this time to gather resources for your own faith journey and for your congregation’s ministries. **

WORKSHOPS OFFERED AT BOTH SESSIONS  

CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY: Increasing capacity for evangelical outreach The Rev. Ruben Duran, Director for New Congregational Development, ELCA
What are the characteristics of congregations experiencing vitality and missional drive?  Discover ways to increase capacity in your congregation for evangelical outreach in diverse contexts. Possibilities based on recent research findings will be identified.

FREEDOM THROUGH HEARING THE BIBLE IN THE LUTHERAN WAY Dr. Rob Kugler, Paul S. Wright Professor of Christian Studies, Lewis & Clark College
Luther observed that the world's brokenness drives sinners to meditation and prayer through God's Word, and that in this experience God's Word illumines sinners and sets them free to live faithfully in the world. Experience what Luther understood to be the essence of living a Christian life through an exploration of Psalm 51, and explore how it can shape congregational experiences of "The Book of Faith Initiative."

 

PEACE NOT WALLS: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE HOLY LAND Debbie Johnson and Kathy Preuss, Members of “Lutherans for Justice in the Holy Land”
Come and be informed about the ELCA's Middle East Peace Initiative, and what a group at Central Lutheran, Portland is doing to make a difference. Hear first-hand experience from recent trips to the Holy Land, and ask your questions about what the media does not cover.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN WORSHIP: FREEDOM AND FLEXIBILITY The Rev. Jennifer Phelps Ollikainen, Associate for Worship Resources, ELCA
We share a common pattern for worship, and yet each worshiping assembly is unique.  Reflect on our common pattern for Holy Communion worship in Evangelical Lutheran Worship and explore the possibilities for creatively shaping worship in your context.

 

HOLY LISTENING: THE ANCIENT PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION Ruth Nickodemus, D. Min, Colin Brown, and Eunice Schroeder, D. Min.
What is Spiritual Direction, and why are more Lutherans adding this spiritual practice to their lives?  Three Portland area Spiritual Directors will share the background and purpose of this nurturing discipline and answer questions that you might have about it.

EMPOWERING YOUR COUNCIL TO LEAD Bonny Groshong and Tom Struck, Council Trainer
Discover how your congregational leaders can better understand their role as called leaders and acquire new skills that will help them be more effective.

NURTURING GROWTH IN YOUR CONGREGATION The Rev. Harvey Blomberg,Evangelical Outreach Director
Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Natural Church Development applies to observable laws of nature to the principles of church health. Hear a basic introductions to this process and the eight essential characteristics that nurture growth in your congregation.

ENCOURAGING CULTURAL COMPENTENCY Dayle Askey and Donna Herzfeldt-Kamprath
In churches, communities, and even families, it's a challenge to get along with people who are different from us.  This workshop uses Eric Law's  work on cultural diversity   to teach simple yet powerful skills for relating across differences.

 

WORKSHOPS OFFERED AT 1:00 P.M. ONLY

MONEY FOR GOD'S MISSION: INVEST IT WELL Dr. Patricia Larsen, Director of Planned Giving, Oregon Synod
Congregational endowments are able to provide money for your congregation’s mission.  Learn how to grow the endowment and where to invest it for maximum growth while doing God's work.

LISTEN, GOD IS CALLING The Rev. Andrew Wendle, Chair of the Oregon Synod Candidacy Committee
Lutherans have a strong emphasis on the priesthood of all believers and the vocation of believers to live out their ministry in daily life. The church also has ways to raise up Associates in Ministry, Deaconesses, Diaconal Ministers, and Pastors to serve in specific areas of ministry. How is God calling you to be aware of the possibilities? How will you encourage others with gifts for possible vocations in the Church?

 

STORYTELLING BUDGET: YOUR PATH TO YEAR ‘ROUND STEWARDSHIP The Rev. Phil Reitz, Stewardship Specialist, Region I, ELCA
Use your church budget to tell the story of your mission. Employ the stories of the people whose lives have been touched and transformed by people’s generosity to illustrate and authenticate what God is doing in your ministry. This tool is one way toward year ‘round stewardship.

AUTHORITY IN ISLAM: WHO SPEAKS FOR THE MUSLIMS? Don and JoAnn Cornell, former missionaries to the Middle East
Hear insights from a former pastor of an international, interdenominational, English-language congregation made up of a dozen nationalities and more than 20 denominations. He and his wife lived in the Middle East from 1974 to 1995, and they will share from their experience with Islam. 

ECUMENISM AND ECOLOGY Jenny Holmes, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Synod
Religious concern for the Earth is providing common ground for ecumenical and interfaith dialogue and cooperation in Oregon and globally. Hear how promising new initiatives such as Genesis Covenant on global warming help to galvanize this concern.

 

WORKSHOPS OFFERED 2:15 ONLY

WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES Doug and Lynda McDowell, Mission Interpreters, Oregon Synod
Sharing generously is an important part of our lives.  The money, time, talents, and energy we give back to God through our offerings change lives in our communities, in Oregon, and around the world.  Find out how God is changing lives through your giving.

WELCOMING THE STRANGER Megan Schaefer, Volunteer Coordinator, Lutheran Community Services
There are over 9 million refugees throughout the world today, 30,000 of which have made their home in Oregon. Come learn about who these new neighbors are, how they got to Oregon, and how you can play a part in their new lives.

 

MAKING A LASTING “FIRST IMPRESSION”: DOES YOUR CHURCH MEET THE CHALLENGE? Julie Mankin , Oregon Synod Communications Coordinator
Learn how your congregation can intentionally “open a door” to visitors. A brief overview will be given on greeting, hospitality, and highlights on creating an “open door” on-line via your church web site. 

FINANCIAL RESPONSE PROGRAMS – A RE-ASSESSMENT The Rev. Phil Reitz, Stewardship Specialist, Region I, ELCA
Still a significant tool for mission-minded congregations, explore how to use a “Financial Response Method” to help people, as well as fund your ministry. Discover how your community setting and energy can help you teach and experience Biblical stewardship principles through your “Financial Response Method.”

A LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF ARAB WOMEN JoAnn Cornell, former missionary in the Middle East
How do the stereotypes about Arab women perpetuated in Western media break down with first-hand experience? Hear JoAnn’s encounters in the lives of 5 Arab women, three of them Christian and two Muslim.

WORKSHOPS OFF- SITE (12:30 PM-3:00 PM)
REAL.LIFE.Exhibit Coordinated by Oregon Synod Hunger Committee
Sign up to visit this exhibit by Medical Teams International (off-site in Tigard and limited to the first 30 people). The multi-sensory exhibit consists of 14 vignettes representing areas of need such as: a medical triage clinic in New Orleans,   a 25-foot tsunami wave, or a Ugandan camp for people displaced by rebels. Learn how, like a pebble makes ripples in a pond, each of us can make a difference that will touch people around the world.