WORKSHOPS
Browse this exciting roster of 30 workshops with wide appeal! To see specific workshops and papers offered each day, use these Quick Look links.
Monday Schedule Quick Look
Tuesday Schedule Quick Look
Wednesday Schedule Quick Look
And remember—if you choose Enhanced or Team registration, you’ll have access to ALL workshop and paper recordings after the event. Your access never expires.
The following 15 workshops were selected by the InterGenerate Task Force.
MONDAY WORKSHOPS
An Introduction to Intergenerational Worship: While many churches offer services where people of different generations are in worship together, churches practicing intergenerational worship aim to better incorporate all the generations into the entire worship service through intentional practices. Sarah Bentley Allred is Editor of Building Faith and Associate for Christian Formation & Discipleship in Lifelong Learning at Virginia Seminary. Sarah has eight years of ministry experience.
Better Together: How Intergenerational Teams Can Strengthen Your Ministry: With the fast pace of change in American society, each generation has grown up in a vastly different world, resulting in social and cultural differences that shape mindsets and expectations. This workshop shares how to understand, honor and include the diverse generational perspectives on your staff, committees and volunteer groups to improve your ministry today and into the future. Jessica Stollings-Holder is a national speaker, author and researcher who helps organizations bridge generational gaps to fuel success. Her work been featured in publications across the country and her experiential training using an escape game in a box has won international awards. Jessica’s passion is seeing different generations better understand and appreciate one another, sharing knowledge and wisdom that benefits everyone. To learn more, visit jessicastollingsholder.com.
Rebuilding Community through Intergenerational Retreats: Participants will consider the benefits of multiple generations “retreating” together to form intergenerational relationships, will explore practical ideas, and will begin a retreat outline to take back to their church. Whether the retreat is a full weekend off-site, an afternoon at the church/church grounds, or anything in between, we’ll dream of options that work for your congregation and that help re-form intergenerational Christ-centered relationships to start to re-build community in the post-Covid world. Liz Perraud has more than 30 years of experience in the field of Christian faith formation. She is frequently called upon to speak and lead training events and workshops in the US and Canada (or wherever she can go virtually) as Executive Director of GenOn Ministries. Most recently she served as a contributor to the 2018 book “InterGenerate” (“The Art of Christian Relationships” chapter) and “Engage All Generations” (“Intergenerational Community Around the Table” chapter). In her spare time Liz enjoys volunteering in her church, hiking with her husband, and spending time with her granddaughters.
Facilitating a Church Story Scrapbook in 30 Minutes: Learn how to facilitate meaningful, intergenerational story-sharing in less than thirty minutes that can ignite cross-generational dialogue and faith formation, while also providing enough stories to fill a whole church story scrapbook. Valerie M. Grissom, DWS, is Minister of Music at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Shoreline, Washington, where she is under care for ordination (PC-USA). As a worship leader and pastor, Valerie’s research focuses on intergenerational and intercultural worship. Valerie and her husband Ben, along with their four children, enjoy playing outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, camping, hiking, and going to the beach.
TUESDAY WORKSHOPS
Faith Practices: In Community and At Home: During this workshop we’ll explore interactive, intergenerational ideas for engaging people in faith practices (spiritual disciplines) both in community and at home, doing so in ways which participants will be able to replicate in their own contexts as they invite all ages to experience faith practices not as a program, but as an intentional way of living and being. Karen De Boer is the Creative Resource Developer for Faith Formation Ministries. The author of Home Grown Handbook for Christian Parenting, and the contributing editor of You’re Invited: A Week of Devotions for Families on the Lord’s Supper and God’s Big Story Cards, Karen has been involved with children since she was a kid herself and says some of her favorite people are 4 years old. Karen and her husband Ron have four daughters and live in Kitchener, Ontario.
Becoming An Intergenerational Church: Steps, Struggles, and Strategies: In this workshop we will explore lessons learned from one church's journey to become a more intergenerational community of faith. Wilson McCoy, MDiv, DMin, lives in Lebanon, Tennessee where he serves as Associate Minister at the College Hills Church of Christ. Over the last decade he has served in young adult, small group, adult education, and preaching ministry. His doctoral work focuses on intergenerational spiritual formation. In his free time he likes to experiment in the kitchen, listen to Wilco, and take family walks with his wife and daughter.
Reinventing Church with Intergenerational Connections: A Case Study: This workshop will present the story of a church that designed a process and a model that connects older adults who are affiliated with a church with younger adults who have no affiliation with a church. This blend of generations and church perspectives created a powerful new church experience that changed the lives of everyone involved. Jim Merhaut, MSEd, PCC, is the Founder and Director of Coaching to Connect, a leadership training and coaching service offered to churches and other organizations. Jim has over three decades of experience working with churches throughout the world. He is an author, workshop presenter, retreat leader, consultant, certified reinvention practitioner and ICF-certified coach. Jim and his wife, Debbie, live in Youngstown, Ohio.
Intergenerational Ministry 101: Foundation and Fundamentals: For those new to intergenerational ministry or wanting a refresher: Why intergenerational ministry? Who are the generations? What defines each? How scripture and research informs us. Celebrating each cohort’s unique gifts. Plus Linda’s “Top Ten Intergenerational Facilitation Tips!” Linda Staats, MS, is a passionate and seasoned IG facilitator, sharing a womb-to-tomb IG approach to ministry with congregations and judicatories across the USA and Puerto Rico. She is a Boomer married to a Traditionalist, who have two GenX sons. Her 102-year-old mother proudly represents the Greatest Generation. Linda is “GrandMum" to three Millennials and two Alpha generation children in Kenya. Learn more about her work here: https://homegrownfaith.net/about/linda-staats/
Creating a Mentoring Culture that is Lifelong and Life Giving. Join us as we explore strategies for creating an intergenerational mentoring culture that goes beyond program to create organic congregational communities of practice where coaching and mentoring engagement becomes a way of being and a blessing for all ages. This workshop will be collaborative, interactive, and applicable to a variety of congregational contexts. Lesli van Milligen, MDiv, is Faith Formation Ministries CRC Regional Catalyzer for Eastern Canada—Winnipeg to Halifax. She is ordained in the CRC and has co-pastored in both Canada and the U.S. with her husband, Tom. Along with supporting local congregations in strengthening their cradle-to-grave faith formation practices, Lesli is passionate about building into the next generation of leaders through leadership workshops for youth, young adults, and church councils.
WEDNESDAY WORKSHOPS
Pastoral Leadership for Intergenerational Ministry: This workshop will explore key practical insights that can aid church leaders and their faith communities in navigating the challenges of intergenerational ministry today. Cory Seibel, PhD, ThM, is a pastor at Central Baptist Church in Edmonton, Alberta, and a research fellow for the Department of Practical and Missional Theology at the University of the Free State in South Africa. He earned his MTh degree through Spurgeon’s College, London, and a PhD in Practical Theology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Cory contributed chapters to InterGenerate (ACU Press, 2018) and edited The Generative Church (Wipf & Stock, 2019) and the forthcoming volume, Engage All Generations(ACU Press, 2021). He is a frequent guest presenter and currently serves as the vice chair of the InterGenerate Conference planning team.
Honoring Our Treasures: Elder-Youth Interconnectedness—Lessons from Diverse Cultural Perspectives: As our future becomes more multicultural and multigenerational, we can learn from other cultures' values, mindsets, and practices. In this interactive session, we will explore: 1) intergenerational relationship values in different cultural traditions that can help strengthen faith formation; 2) research findings to understand the importance of nurturing intergenerational relationships; 3) theological foundations that instruct us, and 4) case-studies which illustrate how others honor and cultivate elder-youth interconnectedness. Together we will harvest knowledge and practical ideas to integrate into our unique experiences, motivations, and contexts. Elizabeth Tamez Méndez, PhD, is Founder and Executive Director of New Gereration3, an international organization dedicated to training leaders, conducting research, and providing consulting services. She is a specialist in multicultural youth development and strategic planning, has 25 years of diverse ministerial experience, is ordained in the Baptist church, and holds a Ph.D. in Leadership. Her work includes teaching youth development courses at various universities and seminaries, fulfilling speaking commitments, and publishing articles, blogs, and edited books. She is originally from Mexico City, grew up in multicultural contexts, and is passionate about developing young leaders.
Build a Team and Let the Spirit Lead: Adventures in Cross+Generational Faith Formation in Small Churches: This workshop will explore the foundational principles for leading Cross+Generational Faith Formation in small church contexts. Using real life examples, Pastor Breen will give participants the tools for planning Cross+Gen faith formation in their own contexts, as well as formulating the action steps to help make that plan a reality. Breen Marie Sipes, MDiv, is usually an ELCA pastor, and currently a full-time homeschooling parent of three elementary-aged children. She lives in North Platte, Nebraska with her husband (also an ELCA pastor), three children, two cats, and one Nebraska farm dog. She loves music, crafting, long-distance rail-to-trail biking, kinetic prayer practices, and bringing generations together to deepen both their faith in God and relationships with one another.
Lessons in Intergenerational Justice: A Sankofa Experiment: Seminars, workshops, and panels are adequate ways to awaken intergenerational justice. But does it spark a change of heart? Two years ago, an interracial and intergenerational group of 40 people loaded a bus and spend several days in the Deep South. There were lessons that could not be learned in a classroom but on the ground, in restaurants, and historical sites in the Civil Rights movement. These lessons were essential for changing the heart and the mind as better advocates. Reginald Smith, PhD, serves as the Director for Diversity for the Reformed Christian Church of North America. He served as Director of the Offices of Race Relations and Social Justice from 2016 to 2020. Before coming to denominational work, he served as co-pastor of Northside Community CRC in Paterson, NJ for almost two years. He was pastor of Roosevelt Park CRC in Grand Rapids, MI from 1994 to 2015. Reggie served in several capacities throughout the denomination such as adjunct seminary instructor at Calvin Seminary, a columnist for the Banner, and president of the board for Back to God Ministries International. Reggie enjoys meeting new people and traveling to new locations to notice the hand of God at work in the world. He’s also an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.
Intergenerational Ministry For Children's Sake: This workshop will provide tools to help you make the case and build a plan for intergenerational ministry in your local church. Wes Gallagher, MDiv, is the Child and Family minister at the Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville, TN. He holds a MDiv from Lipscomb's Hazelip School of Theology and is currently pursuing the DMin in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from Portland Seminary at George Fox University. Wes and his wife Stephanie have six children from age seven to nineteen.
Growing Faith in Messy Church: Discover how the five values of Messy Church provide the foundation for lifelong faith formation. Roberta Egli, MDiv, is the Executive Director of Messy Church USA, an affiliate of the global Messy Church movement based in the UK. Under the guidance of Lucy Moore, founder of Messy Church USA, Roberta assumed primary leadership for creating a team to establish Messy Church USA as a nonprofit organization in 2017. She drew from her previous Nursing career experience to transition to full time vocational ministry after receiving a M.Div. from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. Messy Church became part of her life when she led a team to start Messy Church at Trinity United Methodist in Eugene, Oregon in 2013. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. She lives in Eugene, OR with her husband, young adult son and their dog, Jack. Johannah Myers, MDiv, DMin, is the Associate Director of Messy Church USA. She also works full-time as the Director of Disciple Formation at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Greenville, South Carolina. In 2013, she led Aldersgate to start their Messy Church—and the rest has been a very “messy” history. Johannah has her M.Div. from Duke Divinity School. In May 2019, Johannah received her Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary after studying with an international cohort at Wesley House, Cambridge UK. Her doctoral project was called “Practicing Faith Together: Messy Church and Disciple Formation” and focused on inter-generational discipleship. She lives in Greenville, South Carolina with her dog Winifred and is always looking for the next opportunity to travel.
The following 15 workshops were selected by the Children’s Spirituality Summit Team.
MONDAY WORKSHOPS
Imaginative Prayer: You Can Be a Guide to Your Child’s Spiritual Formation: Through the practice of Imaginative Prayer you and your child can journey together through some of the most foundational and formational experiences in your life with God. The experience of God through Imaginative Prayer equips parents and leaders to pass on to children the practice of prayer in a very tangible way. This workshop will provide an overview of the origins of praying with your imagination, a discussion around why the experience of God is vital in the lives of young people, and practical tools to help equip parents and leader to start this work in the home right away. Jared Patrick Boyd, MDiv, is a pastor (Vineyard USA), spiritual director, and founder of The Order of Sustainable Faith, a missional monastic order for the 21st century. He is the author of Invitations & Commitments: A Rule of Life. He and his wife have four daughters, and are planting Franklinton Abbey, a new faith community on the west side of Columbus, Ohio.
Responding to Changing and Challenging Behavior in Children’s Ministry Settings. This workshop will explore ways to support children's positive behaviors starting from a pro-active and relational posture. Many in children's ministry have observed that the behaviors children are bringing into our contexts have changed significantly. Often, our previous practices no longer "work." Participants will explore how our posture toward children's behaviors can shape our responses to these changing behaviors. How do we see children? Theologically? Experientially? Emotionally? What does it mean for a practice to "work?" This interactive workshop will invite participants to reflect on our "posture" toward children and work together to identify possible practices that will support the children in their ministry contexts. Dana Kennamer, PhD, serves as the Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Services and the chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Abilene Christian University where she teaches courses in early childhood education. Dana's publications include Along the Way: Conversations about Children & Faith, Let All the Children Come to Me: A Practical Guide Including Children with Disabilities In Your Church's Ministry, and I Will Change Your Name: Messages from the Father to a Heart Broken by Divorce. Despite Dana’s busy life as an administrator and academic, when not in social distancing, you can find her on Sunday mornings with her kindergarten and first grade friends at church who know her simply as "Teacher Dana." Suzetta Nutt is the lead Children’s Minister at Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. Listening to children while joining them on their spiritual journey is one of her passions, and she has served the children and families of Highland for more than 35 years.
Engaging Children in Worship: How do we intentionally and meaningfully engage children as active participants in the intergenerational worshipping community? During this workshop we will explore how the ways in which children learn provide practical pathways for engaging them in either online or face-to-face worship with all ages. Participants will be equipped to take the next steps in encouraging children to move from passive observers to full participants within the worshipping community. Mimi Larson, PhD, is Visiting Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College. She also serves as Children’s Ministry Catalyzer with Faith Formation Ministries, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.
Take, Bless, Break, and Give: A Four-fold Experiential Process for Spiritual Formation and Imaginative Engagement in Children’s Ministries: In this workshop we will explore experiential and imaginative processes that engage children, youth, and adults alike in the work of owning and articulating the fullness of their faith as a journey cycling through calling, trial, divine provision, and generosity. We look at resources showing how this four-fold process can be implemented in a variety of settings including children’s church, a 60-minute classroom setting, and a weeklong camp or vacation bible school. Even if a ministry is already using a stand alone curriculum, building in time for this four-fold process will enhance and deepen discipleship. Creating space for life-giving storytelling and relationship building is crucial. It’s a key protective factor in resiliency research. Participants will learn how to engage deeply with the children in their midst as the first priority in their ministries. Sarah Barnett, MA, is the Missioner for Children, Youth, and Camp on the Bishop’s staff of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. She convenes and supports children’s and youth ministry leaders across the state, as well as championing youth leaders on ECMN’s youth commission. In this role she also plans and oversees five statewide retreat programs and six summer camps serving over 600 young people and their families from 42 different parishes. Many of these programs she helped found and design during her previous roles as the Faith Formation Director at three Episcopal faith communities. She has a strong background in small and large ministry designs, including community building, volunteer training, fundraising, and intergenerational and culturally inclusive ministry. Sarah holds a B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Christian Formation and Ministry both from Wheaton College. She is also currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in the Christian Spirituality cohort. At home Sarah adores her three elementary aged children, and they both inspire and join in for all the adventures you see at www.ecmnyouth.org.
A Holy Shift: From Morality-Centered to Jesus-Centered Teaching: For decades within the realm of children's Sunday school curriculum, the teaching has been morality-based. Each story taught to children is often turned into a personal morality lesson where the child is encouraged to be like that biblical hero. While morality is an important aspect of our teachings, it is certainly not meant to be the focus. Jesus should be the center of our teaching, and making this shift is the best way to serve our children. Natalie Frisk, MTS, is curriculum pastor at The Meeting House, a multisite church near Toronto, Canada. She is author of Raising Disciples: How to Make Faith Matter for Our Kids. Frisk has a Masters in Theological Studies from McMaster Divinity College, and is presently working on her doctorate in practical theology with an emphasis on the spiritual experience of children. She is a member of the Jesus Collective Theology Circle as well as the children's director for the Mennonite World Conference 2022. She is married to Sam and mom to Erin.
Neighborly Advice: Applying a Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood Approach to an Intergenerational Audience: Through discussion of effective preaching/communication techniques, understanding life span growth, and use of current technology; participants will learn how to apply a Mr. Rogers Neighborhood approach to an intergenerational audience. “Neighborly Advice” will explore key components gained from the approach of Mr. Rogers, American children’s television pioneer and ordained minister. This workshop will examine theological understanding, approach to human development, preaching/communication, and the use of technology to effectively reach today’s post-modern congregation. We will discuss and implement Rogers’ techniques of reframing phrases to make them better understood. Mr. Rogers suggested that we “listen to the children, learn about them, learn from them. Think of the children first.” Participants will gain an understanding of a communication approach that is rooted in love for neighbor and reaches diverse intergenerational faith communities. Kevin Johnson, MDiv, is the Director of Children’s Ministries for Congregational Vitality and Intentional Discipleship at Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Kevin’s hero Fred Rogers suggests that we “think of the children first.” This quote defines Rev. Kev’s approach to ministry and application to an intergenerational community of faith. Kevin, an ordained elder of the Kentucky Annual Conference, has over fifteen years of ministry experience in which he has thought of the children first. He holds a MDiv from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and is a current DMin student at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK. He is married to Jennifer and the proud parent of three children.
TUESDAY WORKSHOPS
Accompanying Children and Teens Through Loss: We will learn the various expressions that grief takes and how to come alongside children and teens in their loss. Together we will engage practices that create space to process grief and practices that can cultivate resiliency. We will also explore the ways that grief stirs up existential questions and how to bring those questions into God’s loving, welcoming presence. Lacy Finn Borgo, DMin, holds a doctor of ministry degree in leadership and spiritual formation and a certificate in spiritual direction from Portland Seminary, where she also teaches classes on spiritual direction and spiritual formation. In addition to her practice with adults, she provides spiritual direction for children at Haven House, a transitional housing facility for homeless families. Lacy also serves on the Renovaré US ministry team. She lives in Montrose, Colorado, with her family and assorted animals.
The Lord Is My Shepherd: Helping Children and Teens Read the Psalms: The Psalms are emotionally mature literature but they contain riches that children and teens can access too. In this workshop we will look at ways to help us help young people appreciate the Psalms more. We will consider different ways to approach a Psalm for children of different ages and will pay special attention to Psalms of lament. Robert Keeley, PhD, and Laura Keeley will present this workshop. Robert Keeley, PhD, is Professor of Education at Calvin University and Visiting Professor of Discipleship and Faith Formation at Calvin Theological Seminary. Laura Keeley is a Regional Catalyzer for Faith Formation Ministries of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and Director of Children’s Ministries at 14th Street Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. They have written a number of things separately and together including the books Psalms for Families (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, 2013) and Dear Parent (Faith Alive, 2019).
Cultivating Curiosity: Water with Wonder and Grow Biblical Literacy: By giving children developmentally-appropriate tools to explore answers to the questions that naturally arise during wonder-based approaches for children's lessons, leaders can create environments that encourage both spiritual formation and biblical literacy. Learn how to create contexts that engage children's curiosity with resources like Bibles, maps, diagrams, illustrated books and LEGO bricks to cultivate a desire to walk with God and engage Scripture. Robin Turner, MA, DMin, currently serves as Director of Children and Family Ministries at St. Augustine's Oak Cliff in Dallas, Texas. She also maintains www.worshipwithchildren.com, a church resourcing website. Robin has her DMin in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from Portland Seminary and her MA in Christian Formation and Ministry from Wheaton College Graduate School.
Do a New Thing! Explore Ways to Imagine New Paths for Faith Formation: Even before Covid, many noticed that the ways that we shaped faith formation in the past aren’t working any more. And now in a virtual world we have no road map at all. How do we foster faith formation today? This workshop will not provide a perfect solution. But it will inspire participants to be open to trying new things and will help them explore ways to find their "new thing." Participants will develop a working knowledge of what can happen when there is openness to trying something new and will leave with enthusiasm to rethink faith formation in their own context. Karen Hammond and Julie Emery, MDiv, will lead this workshop. Karen Hammond is the Director of Faith Formation at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford, CT. Her background in elementary education and love for children has grown into a passion for intergenerational faith formation. She loves talking with others to share ideas about how to best help the church intersect with people’s lives. Julie Emery is the Minister/Head of Staff at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford, Connecticut. She has a passion for inclusive worship and preaching and a heart for social justice. She approaches all of these areas with great creativity in her leadership. Julie is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and received a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. She has served congregations in New Hampshire, New York and Connecticut and has also served as a chaplain for Hospice Care.
Ministry in a Post-COVID World: The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted ministry in profound ways - this workshop will explore why and how children’s ministry will be different, possibilities for hybrid ministry (without burn-out), and creative “future-ing.” Children’s Ministry has been deeply impacted by Covid-19. In this workshop, we will discuss how building relationships with children and families is important while bridging into the post-Covid world, explore why and how children’s ministry will be different moving forward, and possibilities for hybrid ministry (without burn-out). In addition, we will consider what we have learned during the pandemic and consider creative “future-ing.” We will also have time for Q&A and sharing ideas. Kathy Pittenger, MDiv, is an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church and currently serves as the Children’s Initiatives Coordinator for the Michigan Conference. Kathy earned an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary and a BA in Educational Ministries from Malone University. She has more than 20 years of ministry experience including in the local church. Kathy’s ministry focus is to encourage, equip, empower, and engage with leaders in children’s ministry and bring awareness, advocacy and action to childhood justice issues. Kathy, her husband, Rich, and their two sons, live near Lansing, Michigan.
WEDNESDAY WORKSHOPS
Listening to Children on Race: Telling Stories: Listening to children serves as a catalyst for discussing race. One challenge of dealing with race in the United States is the question of how to discuss race issues with children. It turns out that young people might actually be our spiritual guides in navigating race. For many reasons Americans resist talking about race, especially in our personal lives. But recent history has demonstrated the great we need for those personal conversations. This workshop, born out of listening to children, demonstrates an approach to race dialogue that begins with storytelling and listening. An introduction to the workshop can be seen here. Anthony Peterson, MA, has lived, studied, written about, and taught about cultural, racial and other diversity realities throughout his life. He has designed and facilitated diversity workshops since 2004. He has led workshops in corporate, academic, and community settings. His degrees in psychology (BA, Willamette University) and Christian education (MA, Scarritt Graduate School) inform his perspective on diversity and inclusion. Anthony’s diversity discussions took a personal turn in 2014, when he began documenting conversations with his white grandchildren regarding race. His relevant TEDx talk can be viewed here. He hopes that those conversations serve as an invitation for others to tell their own racial stories.
Teaching Emotions to Children as a Healthy Spiritual Practice: Jesus experienced the four big emotions: glad, mad, sad, and scared during his time on earth. Teaching children about emotional care and health in a spiritual context through the life of Jesus will equip them to be spiritually whole and encourage them to pursue spiritual health and wellbeing as part of their faith journey. Emotions are normal, natural, and healthy and are not something that should be hidden or feared. Processing tools and healthy spiritual/emotional practices can help kids handle the feelings they feel and explore them safely inside the church instead of separate from it. Carie Whittaker holds a BA in Christian Education from Harding University. She is a children’s minister at East Cobb Church of Christ in Marietta, Georgia, and has worked in children's ministry for the past ten years. She has lived in the Atlanta area for almost 3 years and is a second year MDiv student at McAfee School of Theology. In her free time, she is raising her 14-year-old niece and exploring the great state of Georgia.
Mining for God in the Hebrew Scriptures: Studying foundational texts of our faith with children benefits from a relationship with Jesus, a cultural understanding of the context and literature of the Hebrew Scriptures, and openness to the curiosity and wisdom of the children. The violence of the Ancient Near East can hide the nonviolent, creative justice of God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures. Studying foundational texts of our faith with children benefits from a relationship with Jesus, a cultural understanding of the context and literature of the Hebrew Scriptures, and openness to the curiosity and wisdom of the children. Catherine Maresca is the director of Center for Children and Theology.
Worshipping God with Children: Studying foundational texts of our faith with children benefits from a relationship with Jesus, a cultural understanding of the context and literature of the Hebrew Scriptures, and openness to the curiosity and wisdom of the children. Worship & Wonder is an amazing program that allows children to worship God, in a controlled yet open environment. It is based on the book, Young Children & Worship by Sonya Stewart and Jerome Berryman. The Bible stories are told using figures allowing the children to enter the story wherever they are on their spiritual journey. Children are actually born with a relationship with God. It is our responsibility to offer them a sacred and structured environment in which to worship and to grow. This program is based on the belief, that children learn about God while being in the presence of God. Elaine Austin and Sally Selzer will lead this workshop. Elaine Austin is a minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), serving in Boones Mill, Virginia. The DOC Church uses this ecumenical program based on the book Young Children and Worship by Sonja M. Stewart and Jerome W. Berryman. She has been a trainer for 19 years, traveling to a number of states to train churches on how to use this program in their setting. Sally Selzer is the owner of Worship Woodworks who make the story figures and many resources for this program. She has been working with this ministry for 26 years.