Savannah Presbytery’s 40 Annual Faith Enrichment Conference€¦ · Savannah Presbytery’s 40th...

Savannah Presbytery’s 40th Annual Faith Enrichment Conference

February 15-16, 2019 Early Bird Registration Ends: January 25, 2019

Final Deadline for Cancellation: January 30, 2019

Keynote Speaker

Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow Epworth by the Sea

St. Simons Island, Georgia

MEET THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER – Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow Bruce Reyes-Chow received his B.A. in Asian American Studies, Philosophy, and Sociology from San Francisco State University, his M.A. from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Austin College. In 2008 he was the youngest person ever elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) and was the 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Bruce has been a Presbyterian pastor for more than twenty-two years and served as the founding pastor of Mission Bay Community Church in San Francisco from 2000-2012. He also served congregations in Portola Valley, Daly City, and San Francisco, California. In addition to being a pastor, Bruce is an author, blogger, speaker, parent, consultant, and coach. He is the author of four books, including The Definitive-ish Guide for Using Social Media in the Church, But I Don’t See You As Asian: Curating Conversations about Race, and a fifth book,

tentatively titled, In Defense of Kindness, is set for publication in 2019. Bruce lives in San Francisco where he and his wife, Robin, have raised three daughters and numerous canines. He is an avid soccer and baseball fan, photography feeds his soul, and he likes food. In Defense of Kindness: What It Means To Be Kind in an Age When We’re All Kinda Mean During our time of worship and keynote we will explore the concept of kindness as a lens through which we can see and live in the world. From national politics to the Sunday pew, treating each person as a complex and created human being is a perspective worth exploring. Beyond “being nice” or simply avoiding conflict, we will explore ways to walk with one another through difficulties and disagreements into a space of new life and resurrection.

DIRECTIONS TO EPWORTH BY THE SEA Epworth by the Sea is located at 100 Arthur J. Moore Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.

From US-17 in Brunswick, take the F.J. Torras Causeway to St. Simons Island. Once you reach St. Simons Island, follow the new round-about left towards Sea Island Road. Go straight through the light. Take first left at Hamilton Road, then right on Arthur J. Moore Drive. Go through the Entrance Gate, and the Front Desk/ Pitts Building will be on your left. Registration will occur near the front desk until 6:30 p.m. Late registration will be available in Brown Auditorium.

Savannah Presbytery | 3590 Darien Hwy., Suite 8 | Brunswick, GA 31525 | 1-800-616-3671

CONFERENCE FEES

The Conference Room Rates listed include the cost of the conference, room charges and three meals beginning with dinner Friday night. The Commuter Fee includes dinner Friday night, breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and the conference. In order to receive the January 25th Early Bird discount, payment IN FULL must be received on or before that date. There are no exceptions. After January 25, 2019 all registrations must include full payment of the regular fee. After February 1, 2019, registration may be limited to commuters and housing cannot be guaranteed. Registration Fees & Deadlines Early Bird by Jan. 25 Jan. 26-Feb. 1 After Feb. 1

Commuter Fee (includes meals) $52.00 $60.00 $65.00

Double Room Rate (two adults) $105.00/per person $125.00 $135; May Not Be Available

Single Room Rate $150.00 $170.00 $180; May Not Be Available

Kids Camp Fee $25.00 $30.00 $40.00

Robertson Inn Upgrade* $20/room Not Available Not Available

*Robertson Rooms are limited in number and available on a first come first served basis.

Registration deadlines are met ONLY when completed registration forms AND payment are received.

REGISTRATION PROCESS Step 1 Each participant must clearly and completely fill out both sides of the registration form, which

is on a separate sheet included in this brochure. Extra registration forms may be copied or can be downloaded from the presbytery website: www.savannahpresbytery.org.

Step 2 Each participant must turn in their completed registration form and payment to his or her church or send directly to presbytery.

Step 3 If the church is managing registration, please review all forms, and send in one package, along with a single check from the church covering payment IN FULL for all participants by the registration deadline.

Please Note: There are no exceptions to the registration deadlines. Registrations with full payment must be postmarked on or before the deadlines to receive the fees listed on the next page.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Savannah Presbytery is required to finalize the number of rooms needed with Epworth by February 1st. Any cancellation that arrives after that date is charged to the Presbytery at the full room rate. To be good stewards of the Presbytery’s money, the Ministry Team requests that the churches reimburse the Presbytery for any unused rooms reserved at Epworth for the Faith Enrichment Conference.

SCHEDULE Friday, February 15

4:00 p.m. Conference Registration Begins in Pitts Lobby 4:30 p.m. Contemplative Prayer Room Available for All Participants 5:30 p.m. Dinner 6:15 p.m. Choir Practice 6:30 p.m. Registration Ends at Front Desk 7:00 p.m. Opening Conference Worship – Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow Preaching 8:00 p.m. Session A Workshops 9:00 p.m. Conference Social Gathering

Saturday, February 16

7:00 a.m. Breakfast 8:15 a.m. Session B Workshops 9:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker – Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow 10:45 a.m. Check out 11:00 a.m. Keynote Continues 12:00 p.m. Lunch – Main Dining Room (dining room closes at 1:00 p.m.) 1:15 p.m. Session C Workshops 2:15 p.m. Conference Ends

KIDS CAMP We are pleased to offer special activities for the children aged six months through fifth grade who accompany a registered adult. The sessions will coincide with the times of the adult sessions and workshops. The children will eat with you during meals. We will have crafts, games, Bible stories, and loads of fun!! The Kids Camp Fee covers only the program and meals, and not accommodations. Children stay for free at the conference when they accompany a registered adult and pay only for meals and programs. Room rates apply to the numbers of ADULTS in each room; the Kids Camp Fee is additional for each child participating.

SAVANNAH PRESBYTERY NEEDS

YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS!

In giving to the Savannah Presbytery, member churches support each other in the opportunity to attend the Faith Enrichment Conference at an affordable rate. The presbytery supplements a

portion of the cost of the conference. So that we can be good stewards of your money, we ask our churches to continue to do two very important things:

1) Adhere to the rules and deadlines on fees, hotel costs, and cancellation policies and 2) Give generously each year to the Budget of Savannah Presbytery

Thank you for your support!

2019 Faith Enrichment Conference Workshop Information Please choose one workshop plus an alternate for each session.

Session A: Fri. 8 PM; Session B: Sat. 8:15 AM; Session C: Sat. 1:15 PM

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Workshop Leader Affiliation Workshop Title

Rev. Anne Arvin Associate Pastor, St. Simons 13B Caring for Creation

Dr. Mary Avram St. Simons member, Spiritual Director School of Theology, South University

11B One Minute Spirituality??

Rev. Mary Beene

Openings: Let the Spirit In 2A Missional Church/Missional You

Rev. Jann Briscoe Parish Associate, St. Simons 20C Christian Mysticism

Dr. Brian Childs Professor, Bioethics and Professionalism at Mercer University School of Medicine

15C Sharing God’s Gift of Life: The Christian and Organ Donation

Rev. Dcn. Leeann Culbreath Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, co-chair of South Georgia Immigrant Support Network

18C Immigrant Detention: Hope through Hospitality

Rev. Jamil el-Shair Pastor, Midway First 19C Asset Mapping: Discovering God’s Vision & Equipping of You and Your Church to Serve and Build God’s Kingdom

Rev. Jeff Garrison Pastor, Skidaway Island 5A Wilderness and Christian Spirituality

Rev. Taylor Hartman Pastor, First Statesboro 1A Liturgy Writing

Dr. Anne McNair Director of Music, First Savannah 12B Music for the Small Church Choir

Rev. Andy Meeker Pastor, Wilmington Island 17C Thawing Out the Frozen Chosen: A Celebration of All Most Things Presbyterian

Rev. Chris Noyes Pastor, First Brunswick 16C The Fruit of the Spirit

Dr. Dan Pioske Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Georgia Southern University

3A The Biblical Prophets and the Question of Justice: Amos, Micah, and the New Order 8B The Biblical Prophets and the Question of Justice: Isaiah, Prophet of Justice

Rev. Dr. Ricky Porter Pastor, Washington Street; Interim Pastor, Henry Memorial, Dublin

14B An Introduction to the Black Church in North America Through the Eyes and Speech of the Gullah Geechee Culture

Rev. Meg Rift Editor at Presbyterian Publishing Corporation

4A Flyaway with Children’s Resources 10B Adult Faith Formation: What’s New?

Rev. Jessica Tate Director, NEXT Church 7A Painting a Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities for the Church of Today 9B Field Work: Cultivating Ministry that Furthers God’s Mission

Rev. Stephen Williams Pastor, First Savannah 6A Civility: American Politics and Christian Response



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1A Liturgy Writing Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartman Liturgy is often thought of as a prescriptive practice of rote words, phrases, prayers. The liturgical life, however, can be much fuller, much more reliant on context and Christ, on The Word and The Word as lived out in a particular time and particular place. Come and think about new ways to write liturgy for your own personal devotional life and the shared life of a congregation. We will share resources and practices on writing and reading liturgy, as well as co-write liturgy for Lent. All are welcome; no ordination or previous liturgy writing skills needed. Rev. Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartman is Pastor of First Statesboro. _____________________________________________ 2A Missional Church/Missional You Mary Beene

Jesus Christ had a mission to accomplish while he was with us on earth. When he had accomplished it, he gave his disciples a mission in the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Mt. 28: 19-20a) That’s a big job and you have a part in it too. Do you know your mission? This workshop will provide tools for discerning your personal mission for Christ. The tools will also be useful for helping your whole congregation discern its mission when you take it back and share. Rev. Mary Beene is a spiritual director and retreat and workshop leader with Openings: Let the Spirit In.

3A The Biblical Prophets and the Question of Justice: Amos, Micah, and the New Order Dan Pioske Of all the objects of God’s love in the Old Testament, one of the most frequently named is that of justice (Hebrew mishpat). Again and again in these writings, God is described as the one “who loves justice.” But what does justice mean and how is it to be carried out? Amos and Micah lived in an era of unprecedented change, occasioned by new political and economic systems that individuals from the small kingdoms of Israel and Judah had never before encountered. What arose in this context were forms of injustice not known in previous generations, and it is precisely at this time that Amos and Micah begin their prophetic work in the public sphere. In this session, we examine how these prophets call their communities to engage in just practices in light of the challenges their societies face. Dr. Dan Pioske holds a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary and is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Georgia Southern University. _____________________________________________ 4A Flyaway with Children’s Resources Meg Rift Discover the new children’s picture book imprint, Flyaway Books. Have a hands-on look at what is currently offered in retelling familiar Bible stories, as well as themes of diversity, inclusivity, kindness, and compassion. Take a look at our children’s curriculum offerings, the quarterly Growing in Grace and Gratitude and lectionary-based Feasting on the Word. Rev. Meg Elliot Rift is an Editor at Presbyterian Publishing Corporation and has been an editor and writer for denominational curriculum for the past fifteen years. She most recently served as Director of Christian Education Ministries at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church in Oak Park, IL.



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5A Wilderness and Christian Spirituality Jeff Garrison Wilderness plays a significant role in the Biblical understanding of God: Moses encountered God at the burning bush, the Exodus and the Exile were wilderness experiences, Jesus spent forty days in the desert, and John was exiled on the remote island of Patmos. In this hour, we will explore the relationship between wilderness and our encounters with God and discuss how “fierce landscapes” (to borrow a term from Belden Lane) help us to understand God. Rev. Jeff Garrison is the Pastor of Skidaway Island. _____________________________________________ 6A Civility: American Politics and Christian Response Stephen Williams The ideal of civility is deeply rooted in American politics. What are some of the key virtues of civility and what are factors inciting incivility around public issues? Does our Christian faith have anything to contribute as we strive to work together with those with whom we disagree? Dr. Stephen Williams is Pastor of First Savannah.

7A Painting a Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities for the Church of Today Jessica Tate We are in the midst of what religious scholars describe as a shift as significant as the Protestant Reformation. Some have deemed it a cultural tsunami. What if, rather than seeing changing culture and church decline as disconcerting wreckage, we saw it as an opportunity to refocus on the ever-beautiful, richly diverse landscape where God’s Spirit is always active? What if we begin looking and listening for how we are called to engage this landscape in ways we have not yet imagined? We invite you to explore the challenges and opportunities we face as the church today and the characteristics we need to embody as leaders to find our way to being the faithful and fruitful church Christ calls us to be. Rev. Jessica Tate is the Director of NEXT Church. _____________________________________________ 8B The Biblical Prophets and the Question of Justice: Isaiah, Prophet of Justice Dan Pioske Of all the objects of God’s love in the Old Testament, one of the most frequently named is that of justice (Hebrew mishpat). Again and again in these writings, God is described as the one “who loves justice.” But what does justice mean and how is it to be carried out? Among the biblical prophets, Isaiah contains the most references to justice. In this session, we enter into the world of the Book of Isaiah in order to retrace how the concept of justice is understood and how these texts foresee justice to be carried out. Our conversation will move from forms of justice in the social and economic realms, to that of politics, and, finally, culminate with how justice comes to be equated with the “suffering servant,” or a figure the early Christian community will identify with Jesus. Dr. Dan Pioske holds a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary and is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Georgia Southern University.



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9B Field Work: Cultivating Ministry that Furthers God’s Mission Jessica Tate Are the number of worshipers and “giving units” the most important measure of impact and success in ministry? In a time when those traditional metrics seem out of touch with the realities of ministry, Cultivated Ministry gives us a way to undertake ministry with a clear and purposeful understanding of how our activities contribute to God’s mission in the world. This workshop will introduce participants to the Field Guide for Cultivated Ministry — a four-dimensional practice of assessment for ministries big and small and ideas for using it in your ministry context. Rev. Jessica Tate is the Director of NEXT Church. _____________________________________________ 10B

Adult Faith Formation: What’s New? Meg Rift Come explore new resources and a new look to a timeless lessons for adult Bible study. Consider seasonal resources and topics of current interest as options for adult groups as well. Rev. Meg Elliott Rift is an Editor at Presbyterian Publishing Corporation and has been an editor and writer for denominational curriculum over the past fifteen years. She most recently served as Director of Christian Education Ministries at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church in Oak Park, IL. _____________________________________________ 11B One Minute Spirituality?? Mary Avram Together, we will explore the atmosphere of relationship in, “Our Father . . .” (The Lord’s Prayer) and elsewhere. Dr. Mary Avram is the Spiritual Director, School of Theology at South University.

12B Music for the Small Church Choir Anne McNair Come read through anthems selected especially for the small church choir or summer choir. We will explore new anthems that allow for flexibility in part-singing depending on the number of singers in your choir on a given Sunday. A music packet will be provided for you to keep or to take back to your choir director. Dr. Anne McNair is the Director of Music of First Savannah. _____________________________________________ 13B Caring for Creation Anne Franklin Arvin In this workshop, we will explore together how our faith in the Triune God informs how we care for the world around us. We will look for insights in the Bible about creation care while learning some small and practical things we can all do to care for the environment around us. Rev. Anne Arvin is Associate Pastor for Youth and Mission of St. Simons.



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14B An Introduction to the Black Church in North America Through the Eyes and Speech of the Gullah Geechee Culture Ricky Porter Through story-telling, music and discussion, we will explore the historical significance and distinctiveness of the Black Church in North America. The exploration will be guided by the cultural evolution of the African slaves who became the Gullah Geechee community in the southeastern coastal corridor of the United States. Rev. Dr. Ricky Porter is Pastor of Washington Street and Interim Pastor of Henry Memorial, Dublin. _____________________________________________ 15C Sharing God’s Gift of Life: The Christian and Organ Donation Brian Childs This workshop will open a discussion on Christian love of neighbor and organ donation. More people will die from a lack of organs than will live due to donated organs. The history and process of organ donation will be discussed along with a theology of giving as a thanksgiving of life. Dr. Brian H. Childs, Ph.D is a Presbyterian minister and Professor of Bioethics and Professionalism at Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon and Savannah.

16C The Fruit of The Spirit Chris Noyes A brief examination of the 9 virtues of a Spirit-filled life presented by Paul in Galatians. Such questions to be addressed are: Why this list and not another? How do we acquire such fruits? Is that even possible? What is the context for this list? Also, to be investigated is the metaphor of fruit, garden and farming/agriculture as a biblical theme. Rev. Chris Noyes is Pastor of First Brunswick. _____________________________________________ 17C Thawing Out the Frozen Chosen: A Celebration of All Most Things Presbyterian Andy Meeker Some are Presbyterian by birth, some by marriage, others by convenience, and many by choice. Whatever the case for you, come join us as we look at our Reformed/Presbyterian history and theology and explore how our beliefs have a direct impact on how we practice and live out our faith. Rev. Andy Meeker is Pastor of Wilmington Island.



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18C Immigrant Detention: Hope through Hospitality Leeann Culbreath While the focus of immigration is often on the border, the issues play out across the country as asylum seekers and immigrants are indefinitely detained in prisons and camps. South Georgia has three immigrant detention centers housing over 3,000 immigrants and asylum seekers from around the world, most of them parents separated from children. Come listen to their stories, learn about our nation’s immigrant detention system, and discuss how people of faith can cultivate hope through hospitality. Rev. Deacon Leeann Culbreath, a deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, is a founding member and co-chair of South Georgia Immigrant Support Network. Based in Tifton, SGISN is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization supporting the immigrant community in South Georgia, especially those impacted by immigrant detention. They coordinate pen pal and visitation programs at Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla and recently opened Casa Colibri (Hummingbird House), a hospitality house near ICDC. _____________________________________________ 19C Asset Mapping: Discovering God’s Vision & Equipping of You and Your Church to Serve and Build God's Kingdom Jamil el-Shair We will identify the assets, talents, and resources God has and is providing you, to exercise your faith for today and tomorrow. The Book of James (2:17-18) says, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” Together we will discover the assets God has for you and your church to produce for the Kingdom of God the good fruit of a lively and vibrant faith. Rev. Jamil el-Shair is Pastor of Midway First.

20C Christian Mysticism Jann Briscoe What do these two words evoke in you: curiosity, confusion, attraction, too woo-woo, something else? This workshop will begin by identifying the images and understandings participants bring with them, in order to prepare the way for replacing the many misconceptions surrounding mysticism and the contemplative way. A brief portrayal of the development of Christian Mysticism across time and varied contexts, including primary metaphors, will be presented. We will reflect together on select passages from a few mystics. Rev. Jann Briscoe is Parish Associate of St. Simons.

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