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Friday
9:00
am Optional Tour:
Cramer Center Retreat
1:30 pm Workshop with Dr. John Holbert:
"The Bible: Things are Seldom What They Seem - A Bible Study for Today"
The Bible has not often enough been seen
as just a very good book to read, as a piece of serious and engaging literature. In this workshop we will read together
a few of the Bible's richest texts, looking for the genius in the details. Bring a Bible and your finest imagination!
Optional
Tours:
Mission
Milby: Educating
and assisting Created by Milby UMC, Mission Milby strives to reduce poverty while preserving the heritage and culture
of the area which it serves. In collaborative effort with other local programs, Mission Milby seeks to:
· Increase computer
literacy by hosting computer classes in their lab and providing free WIFI to the community ·
Care for the homeless by meeting essential needs such as food, clothing, and personal hygiene · Provide health
care services in the nearby Shalom Health Clinic
Bo’s Place: Healing grieving hearts Known as Houston’s oldest ongoing children’s
grief support program, Bo’s Place offers support through the grief journey for all ages. Family member
or friend, day or night, visitors to Bo’s Place have access to professional staff and support groups. Offering
not only on-site activities but a referral line to outside assistance, the staff generously extends training to local schools
and faith based communities. Small groups, kitchen work, and special projects are undergirded by compassionate volunteers.
St. John’s UMC: Serving the jobless, homeless and hopeless Bringing
restoration to seemingly destitute circumstances is just another day in the life of this vibrant downtown Houston church.
St. John’s is host to many diverse support groups. From AA or narcotics dependency to HIV
or prison ministry, they have it covered. Nearly
18 years ago Pastor Rudy and Juanita Rasmus began serving meals to the homeless from the trunk of their cars and the Bread
of Life Ministry was born. Sheltering homeless in the After Dark Program, satisfying empty stomachs, and
reducing HIV risk are just some of the hallmark achievements of Bread of Life.
Gethsemane Campus, St. Luke's UMC: Partnering to bolster the working poor The
church at Gethsemane campus of St. Luke’s UMC cuts a memorable silhouette in the suburban Houston skyline as a piece
of architecture built in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. Developing strong partnerships in its multi-ethnic
community has empowered this church to aid working individuals who struggle to provide for their families. A
nearby garden contribute to the food pantry. ESL and GED classes serve to educate. Unconventional
non-gang breakdancing classes pull in local youth. By developing a community around the church, Gethsemane
has built a truly transformational ministry.
Saturday Workshops
R RENEW Topic TBD (something on Spiritual Formation in classroom, or something new she’s working on) Susanne Johnson Spiritual Formation Programming in the Local
Congregation—Cherri Johnson (Louisiana Conference) Exploring the Spiritual Life and Spiritual Direction—Rev. Greg Davis, Louisiana Conference Some people say they're religious; others
scoff at that moniker and confidently assert they are "spiritual". Is it cool to be spiritual AND religious?
And what about spiritual direction? Why would a Protestant need a spiritual director? What is that, anyway? Let's explore
this and more together...
Greg Davis is a fifth-generation Texan. His doctoral work was in Spiritual Formation. Living Water for Your Spirit: Contemplative
Prayer and Christian Meditation—Rev. Tom Bain
E EQUIP Technology: How to Put Videos on Church Screens and Websites Communications: Email, Facebook, Twitter,
Texting Adapting
Children's Curriculum -- Small Group and Large Group settings Making the “Foundations” Real for the People You Teach for Children’s Ministries -- MaryJane Pierce
Norton, Associate General Secretary Leadership Ministries-UMC General Board of Discipleship Making the “Foundations” Real for the People You
Teach for Youth Ministries -- MaryJane Pierce Norton, Associate General Secretary Leadership Ministries-UMC General Board
of Discipleship Making
the “Foundations” Real for the People You Teach for Adult Ministries -- MaryJane Pierce Norton, Associate General
Secretary Leadership Ministries-UMC General Board of Discipleship Life Long Learning - Barbara Bruce, Author & Christian Educator
This
class will offer innovative ideas & strategies for initiating this concept in our local churches. Churches Can “Go Green”:
Greening an Existing Building Clark Martinson
St.Mark's UMC Houston is in the midst of greening its campus and making
its buildings more energy efficient, flood proof and attractive. Water conservation, energy conservation and landscaping projects
are making the grounds friendlier to the neighborhood and gentler on the Trustees budget. This workshop may not prepare you
for your LEED AP certification but it will share some common sense ways to make your grounds and buildings more sustainable.
Clark Martinson is an urban designer involved with public space visioning, planning, design, construction, maintenance and
operations. He teaches adult Sunday School and loves to repair and give away bicycles. Immigration–(Will Reed)
This workshop will explore
the biblical and theological context for a meaningful dialogue around the immigration issue as well as an understanding of
some the legal issues. Suggestions and resources will also be provided for a meaningful and helpful response with families
and individuals facing struggles in this area.
Dr. Will Reed serves as the pastor of the Servants of Christ United Methodist
Parish and as a nonprofit leader in Houston’s East End, a predominately Latino community with many immigration issues. Spiritual Gifts (Linda Keen or other?) Effective Ministry with Limited Resources
(a panel or perhaps Linda Keen??) We think this would have particular appeal to smaller, less-resourced congregations.
A AFFIRM If I Could Start Over: A Panel Discussion
of Children's Directors Is There A Future For Christian Education? Barbara Bruce, Author & Christian Educator Using her degree in Creative Studies and
the current solving process, this class will arrive at an answer for its participants. Topic TBD (if not teaching one of the other classes) Linda Keen,
CEF board member from SW TX Conference More than Lists: Intercessory Prayer, and Beyond (Barb Dyar, Becky Oates and/or Bill Thorpe)
P PREPARE Tennis for Children: Developing Motor Skills
with 2, 3, and 4 year olds - From YouTube to the
Daily Show-Pop Culture & Spiritual Formation – Dr. Gladys Childs Assistant Professor of Religion – Texas Wesleyan
University, Fort Worth, Texas
Participants will
be guided to think critically about why they believe what they believe in today’s society and be better prepared with
what is being encountered in the arena of social media in day to day life.Transformation
of the World for Christ thru Community Alliance – A Panel Discussion - Mike Martin, Director of New Horizons Counseling
Center along with other Local School District & Community Activists. This group will share ways the local businesses,
churches & schools have and can do to spread the love of Christ to a hurting world. Facing Communal Trauma in a Healing Way—Betty Cartmell Reading the Bible for Fun and Profit (or is it Prophet?) -- Dr. John Holbert
In this workshop we
will read carefully several biblical texts with a special eye out for renewing our conviction of the Bible's unique place
in our lives and for preparing ourselves to share that uniqueness in our teaching and learning. Handling Conflict to
Build Community—Someone from Houston Interfaith Ministries OR—Anti-Bullying Program that could be used by parents,
teachers, grandparents, etc. Partnering
with Schools/Local Groups—Panel led by MBUMC member with others from outside Houston area (Could also be in Young Adult/Youth/Mission
categories) Ministry with the Poor—Rudy
Rasmus
YOUTH TRACK: The History and Evolution of Youth Ministry
This three-workshop course will take
a holistic look at youth ministry from its beginnings to where it is headed. Discussions will include Wesleyan
models for ministry, family systems, youth sexuality, and other contemporary issues that youth ministry has to, and will continue
to, address. Special Guest Lecture: Charles W. Harrison, Exec. Dir of Center for Wesleyan Renewal
and CEO The Youthworker Movement.
Workshop
Titles: History of Youth Ministry: Part 1 Back to the Future: Youth
Ministry in the Present To Infinity and Beyond: The Future of Ministry with Youth
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