Standalone Workshops
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Missing the Zoom link for a workshop? Click here!
The 2021 Leadership Focus Series will include workshops offering practical tools and inspiration for congregational leaders. These workshops include (all times are shown as Eastern Time):
The Arts of Worship
Thursday, March 4 at 11:00 AM – OR – Thursday, March 4 at 7:00 PM
How can we use the “arts” in creative and God-honoring ways to lift the spirits, teach the minds and move the hearts of worshippers? The arts in worship can bring us to new multiple levels of experiencing God in the in-house community, or even online worship. Participants will be able to consider different ways to “freshen” or “enhance” the current worship service in their local congregation. Creative writing, textiles, fine arts, and drama are just a few of the pathways we will amble down. We will share practical and helpful hints for introducing new ways of enhancing worship through the arts. The program will be lighthearted and meaningful.
Presenters: Rev. John Wallace and Joe Compton, Dover First Moravian Church in Dover, OH
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Best Practices for Board Leadership
Monday, March 8 at 7:00 PM
This workshop engages first-time and “seasoned” members of church boards in learning and group discussion about best practices for meetings, decision-making, board leadership and communication.
Presenters: Marie Couts, Director of Christian Education Ministry, Eastern District, Northern Province; and The Rev. David Guthrie, Provincial Elders Conference, Southern Province.
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Best Practices for Webcasting Excellence
Tuesday, March 9 at 1:00 PM
If you’d like your church webcast to be better, more engaging, and more effective, this workshop will offer basic tips on framing, camera positioning, lighting and better audio – no matter what your budget (or lack of one). We’ll have case studies for “just a cell phone” up to multiple cameras and ideas for improving all aspects of your online presentation. This will also include practical tips for streaming on YouTube and Facebook.
Presenters: Rev John Jackman, Moravian pastor and filmmaker, and Mike Riess, Executive Director of the Interprovincial Board of Communications
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Copyright & The Church
Wednesday, March 3 at 1:00 PM
When creating online (and in-person) worship services, understanding and following copyright rules, especially for music, is vital. This workshop will cover the basics of using copyrighted hymns, anthems and other materials for live webcast while also offering resources like choosing the right licensing firms, how to license choral anthems, and how to respond to copyright claims on YouTube and Facebook.
Presenters: Gwyneth A. Michel, Assistant Director of the Moravian Music Foundation, Rev. John Jackman, Moravian pastor and filmmaker, and Mike Riess, Executive Director of the Interprovincial Board of Communications
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In the Wilderness of Addiction: How the Church Can Be a Safe Place
Wednesday, March 3 at 7:00 PM
A workshop to help church leaders understand the basics of addiction, how long-term sobriety is achieved, and how they can be supportive of those struggling with addiction. The workshop will combine presentations, a panel discussion, and a question and answer section.
Presenter: Rev. Barry Lehman. Barry is a retired Moravian clergy in Rochester, MN. He has a D. Min. in counseling and has been a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor since 1993. He worked at the Mayo Clinic Addiction Services for twelve years before retiring last April.
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Is There A Fast Track? Exploring the Road to Thriving Mission and Ministry
Wednesday, March 10 at 4:00 PM
Thriving congregations are increasingly committed to making disciples and stewards, and serving others through mission, even with the current COVID restrictions. Let’s explore some practical strategies and tools for congregations to use as they “prepare the way” today AND tomorrow.
Presenters: Laura Watson, Moravian Ministries Foundation in America and Ruth Cole Burcaw, Moravian Cooperative Ministries.
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The Road to Racial Justice: A Personal, Congregational, and Community Journey
Thursday, March 11 at 7:00 PM
Two pastors from the Northern and Southern provinces will share their respective stories of building congregational capacity to study, learn, and engage in racial justice. Hear how one congregation expanded that capacity to include building a racial justice team and reaching out to the surrounding community. Learn how another congregation started an interracial dialogue among members of the congregation and community. There will also be time for discussion of ideas for building capacity of learning and action whether it is personal, for the congregation, or in the broader community.
Presenters: Rev. Dr. Amy Gohdes-Luhman, Pastor, Waconia Moravian Church in Waconia, Minnesota, and Rev. Dr. Neil Routh, Pastor, Grace Moravian Church in Mt. Airy, North Carolina
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Things Along the Way… A Conversation
Wednesday, March 10 at 2:00 PM
Join us for an informal conversation about the things coming up for you in ministry these days. Bring your questions, ideas and challenges to see how we can support each other with experience and inspiration. We can’t be prepared for everything that might come up but we can be there for one another to help sort things out and find a path that works.
Facilitator: Rev. Rebecca Craver, Pastor, Edmonton Moravian Church, Edmonton, AB, Canada and Co-Chair, Healthier Moravian Congregations Task Force, Northern Province
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A Way Forward…Together! Collaboratively Creating Virtual Opportunities for Faith Formation in the Home
Thursday, March 11 at 11:00 AM
Participants will explore a new model of collaborative virtual Sunday school programming and consider how such a model might benefit their own congregation. This workshop will help participants navigate free virtual platform options and consider worthy, affordable curriculum content. Through actual case studies and real-time experiences, presenters will show how it can work for churches of various shapes and sizes.
Presenters: Jami Vandock (Raleigh), Margaret Norris (Home), Christy Clore (Kernersville), Angelica Regalado (Estamos Unidos), Dana Myers (Unity), and Beth Hayes (BCM, Come & Worship).
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Click here to view the complete workshop schedule for Leadership Focus 2021.
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