SUMMER LEADERSHIP SERIES
Ms. Theresa Edlmann
Founder and Director, The SPIRALS Trust, Grahamstown, South Africa

South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy is proving to be a long and complex journey. Drawing on her work as a transformation facilitator, Theresa Edlmann will reflect on her insights from having been part of this transition; the factors that feed spiritual and social transformation, those that entrench patterns of violence and trauma and the irrepressible messages of hope that are always available to those who seek them.

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Friday, July 10, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm & Saturday, July 11, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

$150.00 workshop fee including Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast & Saturday lunch

Contact 703-461-1752 for housing rates and availability

Ms. Theresa Edlmann
Founder and Director, The SPIRALS Trust, Grahamstown, South Africa
Being a leader inevitably involves engaging with conflict on a regular basis. Unfortunately, conflicts do not always resolve or reach tidy closure. This workshop will explore strategies to engage with conflict that invite ongoing healing at a personal, organizational and social level. Using open, participative, action-learning based methods, Theresa Edlmann will offer insights and theory drawn from her work in the South African context, inviting dialogue based on the wisdom and experience of those participating in the course.

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EVENING SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Dr. Raymond Glover—Tuesday, September 15 to November 10, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
The Church’s Song is truly “a many splendored thing” that represents the varying gifts and contributions of the church’s saints down through the ages. In our time together we will study and sing their texts and tunes from The Hymnal and its more recent supplements. In doing so we will discern The Hymnal’s great riches; it is indeed the “layperson’s book of theology” which affords us artistic and beautiful expressions of our faith as individuals and as members of the Body of Christ, the Church. Lecture and discussions based on readings will constitute our weekly meetings as we explore ways in which we can share the riches of the Church’s song with members of our own communities with whom we worship week after week.

EVENING SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Dr. Timothy Sedgwick— Thursday, September 17 to November 12, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Drawing on primary texts in Anglicanism, this course will offer a contemporary account of Christian faith. Topics include, making sense of our world in an age of science, worship as celebration, forming a way of life, and addressing death and dying. Readings will include those from Richard Hooker, Jeremy Taylor, Joseph Butler, F.D. Maurice, Wm. Temple, and Desmond Tutu.

EVENING SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams—Thursday, September 17 to November 12, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

This course is an examination of the Psalms and Negro Spirituals in their respective communities. We will critically examine the contexts that produced Negro Spirituals and Psalms and we will catalogue their various functions. Whenever possible, we will listen to the psalms and spirituals as they are expressed through song or chanting. The dialogue between the sung prayers of these communities will afford a deeper understanding of their theology which will inform our use of them in worship.

Cost: $645.00 includes accommodations (Alums $565.00 with use of one free night)

Dates:
Oct 12–16, 2009
Nov 30–Dec 4, 2009
March 1–5, 2010
April 19–23, 2010
May 3–7, 2010

This is a time to be away from the heavy schedule of church life for quiet reflection and study. Through these week-long Ministry Refreshment Residencies, the rich resources of Virginia Seminary and the greater Washington DC area are made available to clergy and lay professionals who desire to engage in self-directed study in a supportive environment. Opportunities are offered for corporate worship, auditing classes, sharing among participants in areas of mutual interest, and individual conferences with members of the Center staff and faculty.

Cost: $20

Like most successful programs, laying the groundwork early for Vacation Bible School is essential. Before a curriculum is selected or even dates are set, certain planning activities should be set in motion. Questions to consider include: What is your primary goal? How does that goal fit in with a parish’s mission statement? And practical issues, such as: Who can provide leadership? How many volunteers will be available? What has worked—or not worked—in the past? The Center for the Ministry of Teaching (CMT) at Virginia Theological Seminary is offering an interactive morning workshop Thursday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to noon to give you tools to get your planning underway. CMT Program Coordinator Dorothy Linthicum will open with an introduction to the world of VBS, and experienced Christian educators will be available to share their practice wisdom, all to help you design the right program for your congregation. For more email cmt@vts.edu.

Cost: $30, includes lunch

Curriculum now comes in all shapes and sizes. You can buy published materials for an entire year or download lessons for a season. You can go online and create your own curriculum or purchase one pre-packaged lesson about a recent event. You can purchase a disk filled with rotation modules or purchase a code to access a variety of curricula. Where does a church enter this maze? What do you need to know to make decisions that are theologically sound, financially feasible, and a good fit for your families and teachers? The Center for the Ministry of Teaching is offering a day-long seminar to answer these questions on Saturday, February 6. Bring questions and concerns, hopes and dreams, and together we will take steps toward choosing resources that truly meet the faith formation goals for your congregation. Faith development is a life-long journey and every step matters. For more information, email cmt@vts.edu or call 703.461.1885.

SAVE THE DATE

Co-sponsored by the Dioceses of Washington, Maryland and Virginia & the Center for the Ministry of Teaching (CMT)

Coordinator: Lisa Kimball, Director, CMT

Young people are astoundingly creative and busy. They have amazing gifts and spiritual hunger that our congregations should notice, but how? This three-day conference is designed to integrate sound theological foundations of youth ministry with current research about teenagers and religion/spirituality, adolescent development, and the wisdom of practitioners with thriving youth ministry programs. Youth ministry is more complicated today, but it is also richly rewarding. What are young people looking for? What are the unique gifts of your congregation, your denomination, at this moment in time? What is relational ministry in our virtual age? Come (re)discover the joy of youth ministry and leave with renewed confidence and clarity about what it takes to build and sustain vital youth ministries. Join with professional and volunteer youth leaders from around the country. The schedule includes plenary sessions, workshops, and learning exchanges – ideal for individuals or teams from congregations. The tuition fee includes two dinners, lunches and receptions.

Stay tuned for cost and registration information.