Between Tradition and Improvisation… HOPE RISE
FOCUS 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Pines Presbyterian Church, 12751 Kimberley
A day to nurture your spirit, enliven your faith, and recommit to ministry.
The morning will begin with registration at 8:30am followed by Rev. Carol Howard Merritt as the keynote speaker at 9:00am. Rev. Merritt is a Presbyterian pastor and author of Tribal Church and Reframing Hope.
Then, there will be 11 great workshops to choose from during the morning session from 10:30am to noon, lunch, then – and New for 2012 – Open Space Conversations for the afternoon session from 1:15pm to 2:15 pm.
The 11 morning sessions to choose from include:
- Planned Improvisation
- All Y’all: The Art and Practice of Christian Worship
- Heart, Soul, Mind: Neuroscience in the Church
- Curators Are Not Just for Museums
- Praying Always in All Ways
- Eyes on the Horizon
- Faithful with a Few: Because Every Child Matters
- Stoking the Fire and Reconnecting with God
- Training Inspiring Volunteer Youth Workers
- The Kingdom of Heaven is Like …
- The Righteous Mind
In the afternoon participants will be able to take part in their choice among 11 hosted conversation groups where ideas can be gleaned and shared. These fast-paced afternoon options will operate under the rules of “open space”:
- Whoever comes are the right people
- Whatever happens is the only thing that could have,
- When it’s over, it’s over.
The process also affirms the law of two feet: If you are not learning from or contributing to the conversation you are in… move on to another conversation. Unlike most meetings, it is considered rude to stay if you want to be somewhere else or you discover you are not interested.
Open Space Conversations include:
- How can we deepen our partnership with our neighborhood schools?
- How can we fulfill our calling to be the torch-bearing, blessed-giving, legacy leaving and unconditionally loving grandparents that God has called us to be?
- How can the church “compete” for attention in the lives of busy teenagers?
- How can current literature and film resources be used to talk about faith in a variety of learning settings?
- How can congregations partner with schools to address bullying?
- How can we maximize the effectiveness of social media and web presence of our ministries?
- How can we be a church that is not of one mind but is not divided?
- How can we be more missionally engaged with our community rather than relying on attractional models?
- What are some best practices and solutions for shared space ministries?
- How can we move from fear to faithfulness when church finances are limited?
- How can our church address the problem of human trafficking? (Not confirmed yet, but pending)
For complete workshop descriptions, view the FOCUS brochure in the church office or on the Presbytery website, http://www.pbyofnewcovenant.org/forms/2012_10_06_Focus_Brochure.pdf.
Register online at http://focus2012.eventbrite.com/ or via registration forms in the FOCUS brochures in the church office. Send registration form to Carrie Walker, Presbytery of New Covenant, 1110 Lovett, Houston TX 77006.
This is a FREE event with something for everyone. Childcare is available by request. If you want to reserve a meal ticket when you register, then the charge will be $10.
The bookstore is back and stocked by Congregational Publishing PC(USA). So bring your checkbook!
Visit the Prayer Zone. Spend a little time in a place for contemplative prayer.
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