Emerging Spirit @ The United Church of Canada Emerging Spirit @ The United Church of Canada

Emerging 2 Where? will present an engaging selection of workshops offering the opportunity for focused examination and discussion with a recognized leader on these issues of critical importance to the future of the emerging mainline church.

All workshops will take place on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at Vancouver School of Theology (map). Each workshop will be offered twice, once on Saturday morning and once on Saturday afternoon.

• Saturday Morning Workshop Session: 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• Saturday Afternoon Workshop Session: 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

THE WORKSHOPS

• Emerging Worship - Karen Ward  
• Emerging Leadership - Anna Christie  
• Emerging Justice - Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove  
• Emerging Congregations - Gary Paterson
• Emerging Technology & the Church - Aaron McCarroll Gallegos + special guests

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS AND PRESENTER'S BIOGRAPHIES

EMERGING WORSHIP
Presenter: Karen Ward
What are the emerging visions and expressions of worship rising in the mainline church? Can worship be both new and exciting and keep the connection with the traditions and history of mainline Christianity? How are emerging expressions of worship in the mainline church offering the potential for a "third way" of faith between and beyond traditionally liberal and conservative styles of Christianity?

Karen Ward is Abbess/Vicar of Church of the Apostles Seattle, an intentional, saramental community in the way of Jesus Christ. Karen coordinates the Commission for Emerging Mission for the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, WA, and is a founder of Anglimergent, 'a generative and generous friendship among Anglicans engaging emerging church and mission,' online at anglimergent.org

EMERGING LEADERSHIP
Presenter: Anna Christie
Much of our leadership effort in the church today is focused on change. Most often, the leader (clergy or lay) has an idea that would benefit the community (small groups, revitalized worship, social justice initiatives). The leader spends a great deal of effort trying to get the community to "own" this idea. S/he may educate them, enthuse them, motivate them, or direct them to books, articles and workshops. S/he may hold visioning workshops, World Café events, or call in a sparkling consultant. Some people - maybe even most - come on board with the idea but inevitably some do not and conflict ensues. In fact, in many congregations, conflict ensues at the very thought of the idea.

Most of the information out there today about change is directed at the ideas themselves or on techniques to get the community to own these ideas. But what if this very method of change itself is misdirected? Anna Christie says that change can never happen (effectively) as a result of ideas coming into the community from the outside. Instead, the community itself must grow. When they do, they will naturally seek out the information to address their problems and challenges.

This workshop will explore Christie's theory of change as well as give both clergy and laypeople practical applications of the theory to church life and leadership.

Anna Christie holds a B.A. in World Religion, an M.Div. and a post-graduate diploma from Living Systems: Education, Counselling and Research. She is the author of Evoking Change: Make a Difference in Your Life and in the World and has spent over ten years researching and developing a complete theory of leadership and change. Christie  combines living systems theory with the latest research on emotional intelligence, integrating quantum physics and the "new science" to create a complete and uniquely postmodern philosophy of change. Her two-year leadership course within her congregation of Gilmore Park United has seen over 100 graduates in the past five years.

EMERGING JUSTICE
Presenter: Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
Mainline churches have a long tradition of social justice, but is how justice work is changing? How does Jesus help us re-imagine justice? How might practices such as new monasticism connect with mission in mainline congregations? Jonathan tells stories of new monastic communities and highlights how the practices they are cultivating can be lived out in congregations.

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove is an author, new monastic, and sought after speaker. A native of North Carolina, he is a graduate of Eastern University and Duke Divinity School. Jonathan is an Associate Minister at the historically black St. Johns Baptist Church, and is engaged in peacemaking and reconciliation efforts in Durham, North Carolina. The Rutba House, where Jonathan lives with his wife Leah, their son JaiMichael, and other friends, is a new monastic community that prays, eats, and lives together, welcoming neighbors and the homeless.  Jonathan is the author of Free to Be Bound (NavPress) and New Monasticism (Brazos).

EMERGING CONGREGATIONS
Presenter: Gary Paterson 
What does an "emerging" mainline congregation look like? What are its practices? What are the signs of energy rising up in congregations? How is the emerging church movement manifesting itself in congregations of mainline denominations like The United Church of Canada? Is there something unique happening in our congregations? If so, what can we do to encourage it?

Gary Paterson's thoughtful, spiritual sermons, compassionate pastoral care, and inspiring leadership is leading St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church (where he serves) into new and exciting areas of personal and congregational growth. Gary is committed to a theology that is progressive, inclusive, and relevant; where worship is experienced as welcoming, nurturing and challenging. Gary dreams about a church where kids and seniors, families and singles, heterosexuals and gays and lesbians, dot.com explorers and retirees, seekers and long-time worshippers, new and second and third generation Canadians, people of all colours and ethnicities -- where everyone can come together to worship, to learn and grow and to find new energy to love God and serve their neighbours.

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY & THE CHURCH
Presenter: Aaron McCarroll Gallegos + Special Guests
New technology is having as important an impact in the ministry of the church as perhaps it ever has. Our worship is changing with the use of projected visual images and movies. Web 2.0 is changing the way we connect with our communities and share ideas and resources. The way many of us live our lives has been transformed in the past decade with the arrival of high-speed Internet in our homes and offices. How is the use of technology reshaping the church? Does the virtual church which comes together through technology replace the traditional church or does it support it and make our ministries and relationships stronger? What are some ways emerging technologies can be used by the church to help fulfill its mission in a postmodern, post-Christendom era?

As producer for the Emerging Spirit, Aaron McCarroll Gallegos works on the campaign's web strategy and development, including the popular WonderCafe, which seeks to nurture a relationship between the church and 30-45-year-old Canadians. Aaron is excited to be part of a time in the life of the church that holds so much potential for change, growth, and a deepening of the faith. Technology plays a role in this, but it's not the only thing. Aaron sees art, politics, justice, science, and spirituality as all working together to create historic new opportunities for the church. Before joining Emerging Spirit, Aaron worked as a writer at Sojourners magazine in Washington, D.C., and as an editor at the Alban Institute.  

Aaron is also inviting several special guests to be part of this workshop and discussion, each with different areas of expertise in the area of the church and technology. Stay tuned.

Sponsored by the Emerging Spirit campaign of The United Church of Canada, Vancouver School of Theology, and St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church.

For more information, email emergingspirit@united-church.ca.

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