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CHILDREN AND YOUTH

       001  Infant through Toddler
       

       002  Preschool through Grade 1
 

       003  Grade 2-4

       004  Middle School – grades 5-7
 

       005  Sr. High is grades 8-12.

ADULTS

GROUP A 8:30-11:45

Choose only this all-morning course.

501 Hands on Spirituality: Labyrinth Building, the Rev. Ted Jones, Mary McGrath

A labyrinth is a created defined sacred space- a place that is not to be challenged or disrespected by any who enter it regardless of their religious affiliation. Specifically it is an artful expression of walking meditation. “The effect of walking with an intent and purpose can unify the rational, intuitive, and spiritual aspects of the walker. Labyrinth walking can give us respite and also allow intuitive knowledge to suggest how to cope better with ourselves and the world.” (Jim Buchanan, Labyrinths for the Spirit, p 13) Join with other searchers as we build a permanent labyrinth at Michindoh and experience it in prayer and worship.

GROUP B 8:30-10:00

Choose one course from this group AND one course from Group C below.

101 Bible Study on Revelation, the Rev. Wendy Pratt

Revelation – that strange, bewildering end of the Bible – can confound the most experienced study leader. But when even popular culture is trumpeting 2012 and the apocalypse, our Biblical perspective and understanding is more important than ever.

Presbyterian Women Horizons 2010-2011 Bible study leads us on Journeys Through Revelation: Apocalyptic Hope for Today . Potential study leaders and participants – or anyone else who’s interested in Revelation -- can join the Rev. Wendy Pratt as she helps demystify Revelation by giving you background, analysis and commentary from other scholars as well as the Horizon study itself. If you don’t have a lot of preparation time, this week will give you what you need to lead or participate in an appealing, informative class. You’ll also get information and explanations to help make Revelation more relevant to today’s issues. If you have more study time, or just a special interest, you will find sources for more historical and theological background. You’ll leave with a better understanding of one of the Bible’s most mysterious books and a new confidence to lead or study Revelation from mystery into hope.

102 How God Uses People: Faith in Films, Nathan Martens

Join Nathan Martens to use films to jump start a study of God’s work in our lives. We will us lots of film clips as well as one or two full length features. You’ll leave with new inspirations from unlikely places such as “Schindler’s List” to “Toy Story.” You’ll also leave with a new appreciation for how even the most commercial films can speak to our faith. This is also a good foundation for a study you might take home to your own congregation.

104 "Congregations in Disaster:  No, we mean floods, hurricanes, tornados", Rev. David Fleming

This workshop will explore how congregations should be prepared for and respond to the effects of natural disasters, and creative ways to be useful in the communities of need that are affected by disasters.  Resources from the American Red Cross and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance will be utilized as well as shared experiences from the participants.

105 Christianity and the First Amendment, Marilyn Brookens

In a sparse 16 words -- “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof “ -- the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment have generated an enormous amount of legislation, litigation, and public controversy. This course will include a very broad overview of First Amendment religion issues and also topics in more depth including issues relating to education (e.g., school prayer, public aid to religious schools, and teaching of creationism) to public displays of religion (e.g., Nativity scenes in city parks and a tablet containing the Ten Commandments in a courthouse), individual exemptions (e.g., use of peyote by Native Americans in religious ceremonies, wearing of yarmulkes by Orthodox Jewish members of the military, withholding of medical treatment of children by parents on religious grounds, non-payment of Social Security taxes by the Amish and the Mennonites) and by institutions (e.g., exemptions from tax, land-use, and employment discrimination laws).

GROUP C 10:15-11:45

Choose one course from this group AND one course from Group B above.

210 Doing a New Thing: Professional Development for an Emerging Future, Dave Mueller

All who serve Christ in whatever vocation, serve as models of healing, wholeness and wellness. To live in that wellness requires us to live a life of continuous renewal. In this workshop we will explore and build on models of personal and professional development. That mean we will be assessing and understanding our best ways of working most joyfully and effectively, discerning and acting on God’s call for our renewal and growth, identifying personal and spiritual practices that coincide with that renewal and establishing a plan for moving forward to keep up with the God who moves ahead of us every day, boldly doing a new thing. This workshop is ideal for both clerby and lay leadership and anyone else searching for how to do God's work in the world.

211 Seeking God Through the Ages, John Sterner, Commissioned Lay Pastor

We shall experience and discuss several of the spiritual practices used throughout the history of the Church, and the spiritual similarities and differences of various times (ie. ancient, medieval, modern and post-modern)

212 Four Generations Under One Roof: Generation Theory and the Church, Dr. Paul Nemecek

This course is designed to help people understand that there are multiple generations in a congregation at any given time, what the characteristics of each generation might mean in the life of a church, and how we can plan the various aspects of our ministry in ways that take these differences into account while still being faithful to who and Whose we are. The four sessions will cover:

• Generational divides: concepts, cohorts and caveats.
• Defining differences in the generations.
• Many parts, one body: planning for difference.
• Further explorations and explanations.

 

 

The Dances of Universal Peace – also called moving meditation or three-dimensional prayer -- are part of the timeless tradition of Sacred Dance, using simple music, lyrics and movement to touch the spiritual essence within ourselves and others. With your leader, Cathy Graf, you will focus on peace and harmony, creating a sense of community, peace, healing and celebration. No musical or dance experience of ay kind is required.

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Note on CERTIFICATION COURSES: Due to the complex process for approving instructors for Certification Courses, the Covenant Gathering Design Team has decided to try offering one of these courses every other year only. We hope to have a Educator/CLP Certification Course in 2011