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Called to Transformation Workshops address aftermath of hurricanes

September 28, 2017
Office of Public Affairs

The remaining 2017 Called to Transformation Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) facilitator formation workshops have been changed following the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

The Rev. Melanie Mullen, Episcopal Church Director of Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care, explained, “The trainings emphasize supporting the gifts and resilience of the community, and the Called to Transformation session in Houston is still going to happen.”

The workshops are designed to train leaders in methods and tools to enhance local ministry and mission. Participants need to attend only one of the workshops.

Called to Transformation is a partnership between the Episcopal Church and Episcopal Relief & Development.

Asset-Based Community Development engages communities at a grassroots level to recognize local assets – such as people, buildings, relationships and even faith – and creatively envision how to use that abundance to achieve goals and imagine new forms of ministry.

October 16-19

Ignatius House Retreat Center

6700 Riverside Drive, Atlanta, GA

November 6-9

The location has been shifted to the Hines Center for Spirituality and Prayer with housing at the Aloft Houston Downtown.

“We appreciate the assistance of Christ Church Cathedral and the Episcopal Health Foundation to relocate this training,” Mullen said.

Registration information for the Atlanta and Housing trainings is available here.

Registration is $175 per person per workshop, which includes room, all meals, transportation at the training, handouts, etc. Transportation to the training is not included. Deadline for registration is four weeks prior to the event. Space is limited; early registration is encouraged.

The Asset-Based Community Development online toolkit and workshops were developed to train facilitators in leading a faith community in understanding the ABCD process. Through the workshop trainings, participants will learn about the theory and the practice of ABCD work, and then begin the process of creating a working plan to implement an Asset-Based Community Development project in their own ministry community.

The Called to Transformation Asset-Based Community Development online toolkit and facilitator formation process were developed by the Episcopal Church and Episcopal Relief & Development with assistance from the Beecken Center of the School of Theology at the University of the South.

For more information contact Mullen, The Rev. Melanie Mullen or Sean McConnell, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Senior Director of Engagement, smcconnell@episcopalrelief.org.