Greater Washington District Discipleship Academy Fall

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Greater Washington District Discipleship Academy Fall 2016 Saturday, October 29 from 9-5 & Sunday, October 30 from 3-5:30 with a special FREE Safe Sanctuary training on Saturday Morning Metropolitan Memorial UMC | 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW | Washington, DC 20016

Basic Lay Servant Ministries with Rev. Herbert Brisbon This basic course includes a study of what it means to be God’s called people and how we may be at work for God in our own communities. The guide for this course is practical, including checklists, outlines and step-by-step plans. Exercises draw on the individuals’ personal experiences and on what they know about their communities. The course provides learning opportunities in three areas of service for lay speakers: leading, caring and communicating. Please note that those registering for this class must read the text prior to the class (see link below). Required Text: Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course Participant's Book Rev. Herbert Brisbon currently serves as the Pastor of Jerusalem-Mt. Pleasant in Rockville, MD. He has a passion for the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the last, the least, the lost and the different. He loves teaching, preaching and shepherding the people of God and has done so in a variety of settings from a new church start to a multi-ethnic cooperative parish to campus ministry at an HCBU. He has two lifelong mottoes he lives by: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me" and "Empowered to serve God's Kingdom, by any means necessary, that glorifies God without compromise."

Advanced Lay Servant: Grow Spiritually Through Daily Disciplines with Rev. Selena Johnson Do you feel like your relationship with the Lord has plateaued, dried up, or simply been crowded out by the busy-ness of life? Or maybe you just want more? You would like to go to a deep level in your Christian walk, but don’t know how. The spiritual disciplines will help energize your spiritual life as you ground and root them to the love of Christ in your heart. In this course we will look at the traditional approach to daily disciplines as outlined in Richard Foster’s iconic book, Celebration of Discipline. But we will also explore new areas in the disciplines of leadership and disciple-making. Required and Suggested Texts: 1. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster 2. Habits for Our Holiness: How the Spiritual Disciplines Grow Us Up, Draw Us Together, and Send Us Out by Philip Nation (Chapters 11 & 12) 3. The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears by Mark Batterson (optional) Rev. Selena M. Johnson currently serves as Senior Pastor at Oak Chapel UMC in Silver Spring, Maryland. Pastor Selena's spiritual gifts include preaching, teaching, andevangelism. She is also passionate about

all things creative, including visual graphics, biblical storytelling, music, movement, and movies. Her top spiritual disciplines include reading through the Bible each year, prayer journaling, weekly fasting, and weekly Sabbath-keeping.

Advanced Lay Servant: Lay Pastoral Care Giving — The Art and Science of Being Present to Another with Ms. Cecilia Amaral This workshop will focus on both the art and science of giving pastoral care to those with whom Lay Leaders engage in the context of their ministry. “Every movement we make in response to God has a ripple effect, touching family, neighbors, friends, community. Belief in God alters our language. Love of God affects daily relationships. Hope in God enters into our Work.” Eugene Peterson The first movement of our time together will focus on the art of ministry as it is experienced in a personal and life-giving relationship with God. The second movement will focus on the practical applications of service to those seeking the support of the church community in their lives. The third movement will invite each of us to intentionally integrate the who we are and how we serve in ministry to reflect the fullness of our commitment to the building up of the Kingdom. Required Preparation: 1. 2. 3.

Identify your “go to Scripture” (the one that guides your work as a Servant Leader) and be prepared to share that Scripture with your colleagues. Prepare a brief description of your ministry to be utilized during our work together. Bring your most used translation of the Bible.

Ms. Cecilia H. Amaral, MS, CPC is a Certified Professional Coach and Spiritual Director. Her specializations include staff and group development, communication skills, and conflict transformation. Cecilia’s experience as an educator and pastoral psychotherapist informs and enhances her skills. Her formation in spiritual direction in the Jesuit tradition over the past four decades has evolved into a model of spiritual companioning that welcomes diverse practices and traditions. Cecilia’s provides each recipient with and integrated ‘whole-being’ approach to the development of body, mind, and spirit.

Advanced Lay Servant: Dancing with Words: Lay Servants Tell Stories with Rev. Erik Alsgaard Learn what constitutes a good story, discover storytelling styles, experience techniques of effective storytelling, and practice creating stories from your experience. Required Text: Dancing with Words by Ray Buckley Rev. Erik Alsgaard is an Elder in The United Methodist Church and has been active in church communications since 1994. He has served churches in Michigan and Florida, as well as being Director of Communications in Florida, the Baltimore-Washington Conference, and for the General Board of Church and Society. It has been his calling in ministry to tell the stories of the people called United Methodist since graduating United Theological Seminary in 1986. He’s married to Sheila George, the Director of Communications for Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. They have two children, four grandsons, and one spoiled dog (Nanuk). GW District Discipleship Academy Fall 2016



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SAFE SANCTUARIES TRAINING 9-noon | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29 Safe Sanctuaries: Every Time, Everywhere We Gather with Rev. Cindy Burkert Are you tasked with teaching and maintaining Safe Sanctuaries in your church? Currently working with children and youth, know the basics, signed the forms, but need a refresher? A first-time volunteer with children and youth? A trustee, SPRC member, or staff member with responsibilities in implementing these critical protection policies? Safe Sanctuaries was never meant to be a "one-time" thing - it needs to be kept up-to-date and constantly fine-tuned in every church! This course will review the basics and the reasons behind how we protect, and who we protect; explore a few of the challenges we face in implementing over the long-term; include suggestions for incorporating youth, new church members and communications with parents; and case studies, if time permits. (Please bring a blank CD or thumb drive if you would like copies of the PowerPoint and forms.) Optional afternoon session: more time for case studies, a look at the needs of other vulnerable groups, facilities concerns (suggestion: bring a floor plan), and questions. Rev. Cynthia Burkert is an elder in the BWC and pastor of Chase UMC, Middle River. She has taught the basics of Safe Sanctuaries to hundreds of clergy and laypersons in two conferences, using curriculum she co-wrote in Peninsula-Delaware Conference.

GW District Discipleship Academy Fall 2016



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