Thursday, April 25 - Friday morning, April 26, 2024
Trainings are being offered before our Big Provincial Gathering.
These events are open to all - participation does not require BPG attendance.
Civil Discourse, Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations
Exploring the Doctrine of Discovery, Indigenous Theological Education
Mental Health First Aid - Adult and Youth
Messy Church, an intergenerational worship experience
Tell me the Truth About Racism, an anti-racism training for those who work with children
Register here for the BPG and a training.
Register here for just a training. Individual trainings without BPG participation may cost more.
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Civil Discourse
Make Me an Instrument of Peace: Civil Discourse Training
Thursday, April 25, 1 pm - 5 pm ET and Friday, April 26, 8 am - 12 noon ET
Civil discourse is a critical part of engaging in our civic life together, as it can help us to bridge partisan political divides, learn from one another, and create better solutions to the problems in our communities. But what is civil discourse? Is it different from civility? Based on the online class created by The Episcopal Church and ChurchNext, this workshop will explore key components of civil discourse followed by a guided discussion on the limits of civil discourse and its relationship with the concept of civility.
Trainer
Alan Yarborough is the Church Relations Officer for The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations, where he helps oversee the Episcopal Public Policy Network, develops policy advocacy, dialogue, and civic engagement resources. Prior to this, he lived and worked in Haiti with the Young Adult Service Corps, spending two years in Cange working in economic development and communication and one year in Cap-Haitien with the St. Barnabas Agriculture Center. He holds a BS in economics from Clemson University and a masters in conflict analysis and resolution from the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.
More info about the Office of Government Relations
Fee with BPG: $25 / person
Fee for just this training: $25 / person
Thursday, April 25, 1 pm - 5 pm ET and Friday, April 26, 8 am - 12 noon ET
Civil discourse is a critical part of engaging in our civic life together, as it can help us to bridge partisan political divides, learn from one another, and create better solutions to the problems in our communities. But what is civil discourse? Is it different from civility? Based on the online class created by The Episcopal Church and ChurchNext, this workshop will explore key components of civil discourse followed by a guided discussion on the limits of civil discourse and its relationship with the concept of civility.
Trainer
Alan Yarborough is the Church Relations Officer for The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations, where he helps oversee the Episcopal Public Policy Network, develops policy advocacy, dialogue, and civic engagement resources. Prior to this, he lived and worked in Haiti with the Young Adult Service Corps, spending two years in Cange working in economic development and communication and one year in Cap-Haitien with the St. Barnabas Agriculture Center. He holds a BS in economics from Clemson University and a masters in conflict analysis and resolution from the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.
More info about the Office of Government Relations
Fee with BPG: $25 / person
Fee for just this training: $25 / person
Exploring the Doctrine of Discovery
Thursday, April 25, 1-5 pm and Friday, April 26, 9 am - 12 noon
Everyone is welcome in this two-part course. Through your multi-media journey, you will find out the thinking behind the Doctrine of Discovery, how it was justified by Christian church leaders, what happened to the people it touched, how it continues to affect Indigenous people worldwide today, and what hope there is for Indigenous people in the future. You will hear Indigenous voices again and again, something that is unusual in Doctrine of Discovery courses. You will learn how the connection with the land and with Creator has given Indigenous people the spiritual resilience we have today as survivors of the Doctrine of Discovery.
Trainer
Mary Crist (Piitaki/Eagle Woman) is enrolled in the Blackfeet nation in Montana. She was appointed Coordinator of Indigenous Theological Education for The Episcopal Church in 2019. She is a visiting professor at Bexley Seabury Seminary, and a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles serving at St. Michael’s Ministry Center in Riverside. She is an experienced teacher, professor, dean, and founding head of St. Matthews Episcopal School in Edinburg, TX and Academy Hill Day School in Springfield, MA. She earned the Doctor of Education at Columbia University, the Master of Divinity at Claremont School of Theology, the Master of Education at Pan American University, and the Bachelor of Arts at the University of California Berkeley. She publishes in early childhood education, special education, online instructional design, and Indigenous theological education.
Fee with BPG: $25 / person
Fee for just this training: $25 / person
Everyone is welcome in this two-part course. Through your multi-media journey, you will find out the thinking behind the Doctrine of Discovery, how it was justified by Christian church leaders, what happened to the people it touched, how it continues to affect Indigenous people worldwide today, and what hope there is for Indigenous people in the future. You will hear Indigenous voices again and again, something that is unusual in Doctrine of Discovery courses. You will learn how the connection with the land and with Creator has given Indigenous people the spiritual resilience we have today as survivors of the Doctrine of Discovery.
Trainer
Mary Crist (Piitaki/Eagle Woman) is enrolled in the Blackfeet nation in Montana. She was appointed Coordinator of Indigenous Theological Education for The Episcopal Church in 2019. She is a visiting professor at Bexley Seabury Seminary, and a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles serving at St. Michael’s Ministry Center in Riverside. She is an experienced teacher, professor, dean, and founding head of St. Matthews Episcopal School in Edinburg, TX and Academy Hill Day School in Springfield, MA. She earned the Doctor of Education at Columbia University, the Master of Divinity at Claremont School of Theology, the Master of Education at Pan American University, and the Bachelor of Arts at the University of California Berkeley. She publishes in early childhood education, special education, online instructional design, and Indigenous theological education.
Fee with BPG: $25 / person
Fee for just this training: $25 / person
Mental Health First Aid - Adult and Youth
Thursday, April 25, 1 pm - 6 pm ET and Friday, April 26, 8 am - 12 noon ET
Nearly 1 in 5 adults and children in the U.S. lives with a mental illness. The Episcopal Church is encouraging people in faith communities to train in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), to help people learn how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges among adults and children.
MHFA training builds skills and confidence needed to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling or in crisis and to help connect them to appropriate support. In each 8-hour training, you will learn how to recognize signs and symptoms of a person in crisis or experiencing growing or persistent challenges, assess for risk of suicide or harm, interact with nonjudgmental listening, and encourage them to connect with help.
Two trainings are being offered for adult participants – one focused on adult mental health and one focused on mental health in youth. Registration is open and requested in advance: 20 slots for Adult MHFA and 20 slots for Youth MHFA.
Trainer for Adult MHFA
David Gortner is the Chair for the General Convention’s Task Force on Ministry with People with Mental Illness. He has spearheaded the Task Force’s training of MHFA instructors in the Episcopal Church, development of basic mental health resources for faith communities, and a robust curriculum for clergy. An Episcopal priest and psychologist, David has taught and directed pastoral and practical theology programs at three seminaries and worked in varied health and social service organizations. He now serves as Rector of St. Luke’s in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and also is Program Principal for the Thriving in Ministry initiative for clergy lifelong continuous development. He holds degrees from Wheaton College (BA), Wake Forest University (MA), Seabury-Western Theological Seminary (MDiv), and the University of Chicago (PhD).
Trainer for Youth MHFA
Steven Balke is the Canon Pastor at St. James Cathedral in Chicago. He has been a Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer since 2018. He was a high school teacher before the priesthood and have always had a heart for both quality mental health care and being present with our youth where they are. The MHFA training helps us all learn more about the warning signs that someone is in need of help, equips us to know how we can make a difference, and enables us to care for one another as a community.
More info about Mental Health First Aid
Fee with BPG: $25 / person
Fee for just this training: $40 / person
Nearly 1 in 5 adults and children in the U.S. lives with a mental illness. The Episcopal Church is encouraging people in faith communities to train in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), to help people learn how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges among adults and children.
MHFA training builds skills and confidence needed to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling or in crisis and to help connect them to appropriate support. In each 8-hour training, you will learn how to recognize signs and symptoms of a person in crisis or experiencing growing or persistent challenges, assess for risk of suicide or harm, interact with nonjudgmental listening, and encourage them to connect with help.
Two trainings are being offered for adult participants – one focused on adult mental health and one focused on mental health in youth. Registration is open and requested in advance: 20 slots for Adult MHFA and 20 slots for Youth MHFA.
Trainer for Adult MHFA
David Gortner is the Chair for the General Convention’s Task Force on Ministry with People with Mental Illness. He has spearheaded the Task Force’s training of MHFA instructors in the Episcopal Church, development of basic mental health resources for faith communities, and a robust curriculum for clergy. An Episcopal priest and psychologist, David has taught and directed pastoral and practical theology programs at three seminaries and worked in varied health and social service organizations. He now serves as Rector of St. Luke’s in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and also is Program Principal for the Thriving in Ministry initiative for clergy lifelong continuous development. He holds degrees from Wheaton College (BA), Wake Forest University (MA), Seabury-Western Theological Seminary (MDiv), and the University of Chicago (PhD).
Trainer for Youth MHFA
Steven Balke is the Canon Pastor at St. James Cathedral in Chicago. He has been a Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer since 2018. He was a high school teacher before the priesthood and have always had a heart for both quality mental health care and being present with our youth where they are. The MHFA training helps us all learn more about the warning signs that someone is in need of help, equips us to know how we can make a difference, and enables us to care for one another as a community.
More info about Mental Health First Aid
Fee with BPG: $25 / person
Fee for just this training: $40 / person
Messy Church
Thursday, April 25, 12-6 pm ET
Messy Church USA in cooperation with Province V of the Episcopal Church is offering a full day of training on the best practices to use in starting your own Messy Church. The Get Started with Messy Church training will be held on Thursday, April 25 from Noon – 6 pm Eastern Time in South Bend, IN. This training will be led by Pastor Trish Johnsen, a certified Messy Church USA Trainer from First United Methodist Church in Michigan City, IN.
Thanks to Province V of the Episcopal church, the sponsor of this training. The training is a pre-training event for the Big Provincial Gathering (BPG) of Province V but they have generously opened the registration up to any church that wishes to attend, whether or not they plan to attend the weekend event.
Trainers
Trish Johnsen is the Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Michigan City, Indiana where she lives with her husband, grown son, two cats, and a dog. In addition to her role as a local pastor at First UMC, Trish has directed a Messy Church congregation there since February 2020. Trish is also an Associate Director of Church Development for the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church with a primary goal of training and equipping churches for Fresh Expressions of church, including Messy Church. In addition to being a Messy Church USA Ambassador and trainer, Trish is a certified Fresh Expressions Pioneer Coach. In all of her roles, Trish is passionate about new ways of being church and sharing the love of Christ with the world.
More info about Messy Church
Fee with BPG: $25 / person
Fee for just this training: $50 / person
If you have a large team, contact Heather about discounts.
Messy Church USA in cooperation with Province V of the Episcopal Church is offering a full day of training on the best practices to use in starting your own Messy Church. The Get Started with Messy Church training will be held on Thursday, April 25 from Noon – 6 pm Eastern Time in South Bend, IN. This training will be led by Pastor Trish Johnsen, a certified Messy Church USA Trainer from First United Methodist Church in Michigan City, IN.
Thanks to Province V of the Episcopal church, the sponsor of this training. The training is a pre-training event for the Big Provincial Gathering (BPG) of Province V but they have generously opened the registration up to any church that wishes to attend, whether or not they plan to attend the weekend event.
Trainers
Trish Johnsen is the Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Michigan City, Indiana where she lives with her husband, grown son, two cats, and a dog. In addition to her role as a local pastor at First UMC, Trish has directed a Messy Church congregation there since February 2020. Trish is also an Associate Director of Church Development for the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church with a primary goal of training and equipping churches for Fresh Expressions of church, including Messy Church. In addition to being a Messy Church USA Ambassador and trainer, Trish is a certified Fresh Expressions Pioneer Coach. In all of her roles, Trish is passionate about new ways of being church and sharing the love of Christ with the world.
More info about Messy Church
Fee with BPG: $25 / person
Fee for just this training: $50 / person
If you have a large team, contact Heather about discounts.
Tell me the Truth About Racism Wonders about Creation
This training will have a separation registration process.
Visit their website for all of the details and email Will and Jen to register for this event.
Tell Me the Truth About Racism is a story that frames racism through the lens of Christian faith for children aged 5-12, either alone or in an intergenerational setting. Our approach defines racism as “The lie in our world that some people are better than others based on the color of their skin.” It is only because of the Truth we know from God, that all people are equally children of God, that we can clearly see how racism tells us a lie about who we are. Racism distorts us all - black, white, and brown - away from who God made us to be.
Option #1: Thursday, April 25, 1 pm - 6 pm ET and Friday, April 26, 8 am - 12 noon ET
Workshop attendees will hear a new set of stories, based on humans’ relationship with the natural world, and reflect together. We’ll unpack some hard questions and wonder about the idea that humans should have dominion over the earth. Stories will be shared by Will, Jen, and folks participating in an in-person cohort concurrent with the BPG (see below). In the workshop we’ll wonder about the parallels between human hierarchies such as racism, and how the human construct of “better than” impacts how we relate to all of God’s creation.
Option #2: In-person training cohort Wednesday, April 24, 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, April 25, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 1 pm - 6 pm ET, and Friday, April 26, 8 am - 12 noon ET
The training cohort will convene in advance then merge with the BPG attendees' workshop. Each cohort member is expected to practice storytelling and to brainstorm about implementing in their community. We’ll talk theology, worship together, and wonder about our own experiences. Special rate for the BPG is $200 and scholarships are available. Each participant is invited to bring an auditor from their community at no extra charge.
Registration limited to 10 participants.
Trainers
Rev. Will Bouvel and Jen Enriquez work in Children’s Ministries in the Diocese of Chicago, at Holy Comforter in Kennilworth, where Jen is also a member. Will comes from a Music background and Jen comes from a law background. Together they have trained 13 cohorts/100+ people around the US to tell stories. They have incorporated stories about racism and creation at Peace Camp, an interfaith summer camp offered throughout the Chicago area. Jen and Will are grateful to lean on each other in this difficult work and live into the gift of Good News it offers for themselves and all who would hear it.
Fees and registration information is up on this website.
Visit their website for all of the details and email Will and Jen to register for this event.
Tell Me the Truth About Racism is a story that frames racism through the lens of Christian faith for children aged 5-12, either alone or in an intergenerational setting. Our approach defines racism as “The lie in our world that some people are better than others based on the color of their skin.” It is only because of the Truth we know from God, that all people are equally children of God, that we can clearly see how racism tells us a lie about who we are. Racism distorts us all - black, white, and brown - away from who God made us to be.
Option #1: Thursday, April 25, 1 pm - 6 pm ET and Friday, April 26, 8 am - 12 noon ET
Workshop attendees will hear a new set of stories, based on humans’ relationship with the natural world, and reflect together. We’ll unpack some hard questions and wonder about the idea that humans should have dominion over the earth. Stories will be shared by Will, Jen, and folks participating in an in-person cohort concurrent with the BPG (see below). In the workshop we’ll wonder about the parallels between human hierarchies such as racism, and how the human construct of “better than” impacts how we relate to all of God’s creation.
Option #2: In-person training cohort Wednesday, April 24, 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, April 25, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 1 pm - 6 pm ET, and Friday, April 26, 8 am - 12 noon ET
The training cohort will convene in advance then merge with the BPG attendees' workshop. Each cohort member is expected to practice storytelling and to brainstorm about implementing in their community. We’ll talk theology, worship together, and wonder about our own experiences. Special rate for the BPG is $200 and scholarships are available. Each participant is invited to bring an auditor from their community at no extra charge.
Registration limited to 10 participants.
Trainers
Rev. Will Bouvel and Jen Enriquez work in Children’s Ministries in the Diocese of Chicago, at Holy Comforter in Kennilworth, where Jen is also a member. Will comes from a Music background and Jen comes from a law background. Together they have trained 13 cohorts/100+ people around the US to tell stories. They have incorporated stories about racism and creation at Peace Camp, an interfaith summer camp offered throughout the Chicago area. Jen and Will are grateful to lean on each other in this difficult work and live into the gift of Good News it offers for themselves and all who would hear it.
Fees and registration information is up on this website.
These trainings are offered at a reduced rate because of our sponsorships and subsidies by the Province.
Register here for the BPG and a training.
Register here for just a training.
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