The Episcopal Church Welcomes You


A Brand New Way
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A Young Adult Leadership Event
Friday, September 19, 2008 - Sunday, September 21, 2008
3:00 PM - 12:00 PM

Location: Houston, Texas
Contact: The Rev. Douglas Fenton
212-716-6323
dfenton@episcopalchurch.org

A Brand New Way: A Young Adult Leadership Event

Houston, TX  September 19-21, 2008

It’s a big church out there – and young adults are (or should be!) part of it all. Join us for a leadership conference full of conversation, good times, leadership and workshops. Want to know more about starting a parish young adult group? You’ll find folks here who have done that. Need to be more involved in parish or Church leadership? We’ve got a workshop for you. Ever feel like you’re the only young adult or young adult minister in your parish or diocese? Come to Houston and see that you’re not alone!

Cost: $205 (double), $340 (single), $120 (commuter)

REGISTER NOW!

Un Nuevo Manera: Un evento de Liderazgo de Jóvenes Adultos

Houston, Texas  Septiembre 19-21, 2008

Hay una gran Iglesia allá afuera– y los Jóvenes Adultos son (o deberían ser) parte de toda ella!  Únete a nosotros para una conferencia de liderazgo llena de conversación, buenos ratos, liderazgo y talleres.  ¿Quieres saber mas sobre como iniciar un grupo parroquial de jóvenes adultos? Vas a encontrar amigos aquí que ya lo han hecho.  ¿Necesitas involucrarte más en la parroquia o en el liderazgo de la Iglesia? Tenemos un taller para ti.  ¿Alguna vez has sentido que eres el único joven adulto o ministro de jóvenes adultos en tu parroquia o en tu diócesis? Ven a Houston y veras que no estas solo!

Costo: $205 (Habitación doble), $340 (Habitación Sencilla) (incluye dos desayunos, dos almuerzos, una cena, hospedaje y programa)  $120 visitantes sin hospedaje (incluye dos desayunos, dos almuerzos, una cena y programa)

Accommodation at Hilton Americas Houston

Brand New Way Schedule

Friday, September 19

3 pm  Registration
5:30  Depart Hotel to walk to Christ Church Cathedral
6 pm  Introductions and Dinner Program
9 pm  Compline at Christ Church Cathedral            

Saturday, September 20

8:30 am  Morning worship (In plenary room)
9-9:45 am Plenary focused on Evangelism
10 am  Workshop I
11:30 am Workshop II
1 pm Lunch
2:30pm Plenary
Small Groups:  Best Practices, What Do You Need?, What Can We Do For You?
5pm  Depart Hotel to walk to Christ Church Cathedral
5:30 pm  Worship at Christ Church Cathedral
6 pm  Dinner on your own

Sunday, September 21

9 am Plenary: Update on past, present trends
9:30 am  Break
10 am  Eucharist in Plenary room
Noon   Boxed lunches
Departures: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

 

Workshop Descriptions and Bios

Polity 101:  A brief introduction of the Episcopal Church’s infrastructure.

Ever wondered how the Episcopal Church works on all three levels (Parish, Diocese, Church-wide)?  Well, this workshop will discuss the organization, structure, and operations of the Episcopal Church.

Facilitator: (awaiting facilitator(s) and bios)

The Last Frontier:  How to have a positive mission trip experience.

This workshop will help you in the planning, logistics, realities, and challenges that go into mission trips.  Why are you going, who and how many are you taking, do you have a liaison/contact where you’re going, documents/visas/passports, and what is your sense of accomplishment?  You have a mission trip idea—here’s the 411 to making it happen.

Facilitators: Rev. Stephen Mazingo and Rev. Katherine Tate.

Stephen Mazingo is serving as a missionary in the Diocese of Matlosane South Africa.  He was ordained priest in December 2007 in South Africa.  He will be serving as Assistant Rector at St. James’, Wilmington, NC, in the Diocese of East Carolina beginning in summer 2008.

Katherine Tate is Director of Youth/Young Adults Ministries for the Diocese of Southwest Florida.

Herding Cats: The basics of facilitation.

This workshop will help you to understand the role and skills of being a facilitator.  How to become a leader of a group without controlling it and being able to empower others for action.

Facilitator:  Anne Ditzler

Anne Ditzler works for the Episcopal Church Foundation helping Episcopal organizations strengthen their leadership and financial capabilities.  She has served in professional and volunteer roles with nonprofit and religious organizations serving youth, college students, and young adults.  Living in New York City, Anne is an active member of St. Mary’s Manhattanville, the parish that hosts the New York Intern Program.

Holy Spirit: Line 1:  What are ways to listen to God’s voice?

As we listen to God speaking, we must nurture that conversation with prayer so that we may discern His call for us to use our gifts to serve others in the Church and in the world.

God speaks to us in the natural moments of life.  Are you ready to “pick up” and hear what He has to say and most of all, do something about it?  In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to explore practical tips to hear God’s voice in their life and ministries, as well as an opportunity to identify the gifts that God has uniquely given to them to be used for a greater purpose.

Facilitators:  Rev. Miguelina Espinal and Rev. Rene Somodevilla

Miguelina Espinal, Young Adult Ministry Office (PLSE), The Episcopal Church Center.

Rene Somodevilla, Canon of the Diocese of West Tennessee.

Git ‘Er Dun:  How to advocate for myself and others.

Now that we have an idea of the structure of the church (Polity 101 is not a pre-requisite, but will be helpful), how do we MAKE IT WORK for us?  This workshop focuses on how to make things happen in the Episcopal Church—at the parish, diocesan, and national levels.  You know you have a great idea—so lets figure out how to Git ‘er Dun!

Facilitator:  Carlton Allen

Carlton Allen, a cradle Episcopalian, is a Civil Engineer from the Diocese of Northern California.  During his previous endeavors he was the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Coordinator for the Diocese. Carlton currently serves as Vice President for Vocare International, Inc. and as a member of the Episcopal Church's Committee for Young Adult Ministry.

Takin’ It To The Streets:  How to answer the following questions…

Why go to church?  What would I get out of going?  How do I get others involve by going to church?  How do I avoid the negative connotations associated with evangelism?

Facilitators: Eric Moen and Rev. Chuck Culpepper

Eric Moen is a 20-year veteran of youth and young adult ministries, and currently serves as the director of youth and young adult ministry at St. Martin’s Episcopal in Houston, TX.

The Rev. Chuck Culpepper is the Vicar of St. Alexis’ Episcopal Church in Jackson, MS.  St. Alexis’ is the newest mission church in the Diocese of Mississippi, and has a focus on young adults, spiritual growth, and social ministries in downtown Jackson.  Chuck also serves as the Diocesan Coordinator of Young Adult Ministries.  He is a graduate of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest located in Austin, TX.

Words, Sacraments, and Symbols: Liturgy of the Church.

Liturgy, in it’s Greek language origin, means “the work of the people.”  Have you ever imagined that what we do when we worship is actually “work”?  Here we will explore in depth the tools we use to do that “work.”  Words, sacraments, symbols (and more!), all come together to form our identity as faithful and worshipping people, to shape our lives as Christians, and to glorify and communicate with God.  We’ll get down to exploring what happens when we worship and how we can shape our liturgy so that it can in turn shape us.

Facilitators:  Rev. Lucas Grubbs and Rev. David Umphlett

Lucas Grubbs serves as the Canon Pastor of St. Michael’s Cathedral, in the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho.  Previously, he served as curate at Christ Church, New Haven, a place that instilled a deep love of the beauty, mystery, and awe that can come with powerful liturgy.  He graduated from the Yale Divinity School/Institute of Sacred Music with a second Masters in the liturgy of the church, focusing specifically on modern and post-modern trends in liturgy.

The Rev. David Umphlett is the rector of two rural parishes in the Diocese of East Carolina.  A young adult himself, Fr. Umphlett serves as the Chairperson of both his Diocesan Liturgical Commission and Diocesan College and Young Adult Commission.  His liturgical experience ranges from benediction of the Blessed Sacrament to rocking out on a djembe in the Palm Sunday procession.  He seeks to create a climate in the parish and diocese where artistic and liturgical talents are encouraged and cultivated, and where excellence in workshop is joy driven, not anxiety driven.

 Being On The Ethical Up and Up:  The ethics of being in leadership positions as an Youth Adult.

You are in a leadership position—know your boundaries in helping youth/young adults with problems, know when to remove yourself from the situation(s) and direct them to the proper person(s).

Facilitator:  Rev. C. Andrew Doyle

Andy Doyle serves as the Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.  Along with his duties as deployment officer for the dioceses, Canon Doyle also assists the bishop in administrative matters and coordination of the diocesan ministry staff.

The Pony Express:  You’re planned an AMAZING young adults’ event…so HOW are you going to get people there?

How to effectively get the word out to young adults—press releases, digital communication (email, Facebook, MySpace), and how to make your diocesan coordinator and local reporters your new best friends.

Facilitator:  Nicole Seiferth

Nicole Seiferth has worked in Episcopal communications as Communications Aide in the Presiding Bishop’s Office, and as editor of The Episcopal New Yorker for the Diocese of New York.  She is currently assistant editor for web and parish publications at Trinity Wall Street and a member of the Episcopal Church’s Committee of Young Adult Ministry.

State of the Young Adulthood:  Issues facing Young Adult.

“Nobody told me it was going to be like this!”  Welcome to the next phrase of your life—young adulthood!  This workshop will discuss issues ranging from spirituality, economics, AIDS/diseases, vocation, family life, anti-racism, and preparation.  What are the expectations and responsibilities of young adults in 2008 and beyond?

Facilitators:  Nathan Finnin,  Lemuel R. Moncur and Elizabeth M. Melchionna

Raised in Eastern North Carolina, Nathan Finnin is a cradle-Episcopalian.  During his junior year at the University of North Carolina, he began discerning a call to ordain ministry, with the Diocese of East Carolina.  Nathan completed his MDiv and Diploma in Anglican Studies in May 2008 from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.  He is currently serving a curacy at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kinston, NC, as assistant to the rector.

Lemuel R Moncur is a high school social studies teacher for Miami-Dade County Public Schools.  He is a board member for the Youth Commission for the Diocese of Southeast Florida.  He is a lay minister at St. Agnes’ Episcopal Church and currently serves as a member of the Episcopal Church’s Committee of Young Adult Ministry.

Elizabeth Marie Melchionna serves as Assistant to the Rector at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA, with particular ministry to youth and young adults in the parish.  Previously, Elizabeth Marie received a fellowship from the Henry Luce Foundation and taught theology in the Masters of Divinity program at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  She worked with students from Burma, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.  While in Thailand she also served at the Institute for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Peace facilitating interfaith dialogue between Christians, Buddhists, and Muslims.

Treasures In Heaven:  Young Adults and Money.

Stewardship beyond the Church, but in the world; learn that stewardship is not always monetary but in time, talent, and treasures.  This workshop will also teach you how to use your gifts and time to empower service within the Church.

Facilitator:  Terry Parsons

Terry Parsons

Safeguarding God’s Children:  “Safeguarding God’s Children” is a required training program for all leaders, ordained and lay, who work with children and youth mandated by General Convention of The Episcopal Church for the prevention of sexual abuse of children and youth.  The program provides participants information they need to protect the children they know and care for in their personal lives, and in the ministries in which they serve.  This is a two-part workshop and participants will be required to attend both parts in order to complete the training.

Facilitator:  Ewart Jones

A life long Episcopalian, Ewart Jones is the Missioner for Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Texas.  In his previous life, Ewart served as a youth minister for eight years in two parishes in the dioceses and currently serves as a member of the Episcopal Church’s Committee for Young Adult Ministry.

 

***Revised as of 5/16/08 (5:05pm)***