Now’s the time to register for the March 2 diocesan leadership workshop, set for 9:30am to 3:30pm at St. Luke’s in the Meadow (4301 Meadowbrook Dr., Fort Worth). The Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Jr. will present the opening and closing sessions, and present two workshops, targeting what every senior warden should know and how congregations can grow in stewardship.
In addition to a workshop session in the morning and another in the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a “working lunch,” joining table conversations on background checks, InReach, holding effective meetings, stewardship nuts and bolts, Cursillo, and other topics of interest.
Attendees can choose among these morning workshops:
- Stewardship – Creating a congregation-wide, year-‘round culture of gratitude and generosity is essential to growing healthy congregations. Bishop Rayford High will offer insights and strategies for forming life-long stewards.
- Money 101 – David Lowder will focus on church finances, addressing vestry members – particularly new ones and to those who aspire to be one. Topics will include parochial reports, key dates, a sample audit, church financial statements, etc. , aiming to remove some of the “intimidation factor” that financial matters can pose.
- Database CAN be fun! – Have you ever wondered how you might harness the power of our diocesan database to ride the technological wave into the shore of better, easier, more dynamic communication? Or is the mere mention of database enough to send you over the edge of technological denial? If either of these describes you (or if you are somewhere in between), please come and see how Access ACS can be a meaningful and exciting tool to draw us closer as a diocese and help you stay in touch with other leaders! Christopher Thomas and Eleanor Doty will give an overview of the program, as well as the corresponding free iPhone/Android app, and help you get set up and on the information super highway!
- Why do we want by-laws? – Kathleen Wells will explain how bylaws set out the procedures by which a congregation regulates itself, within applicable legal and canonical requirements. It is good practice to write down the structures and processes that will apply in your congregation, e.g, nominations, elections, committees, etc. Boring? No. Transparent, participatory, and accountable? Yes. Get some models to consider for your congregation.
Afternoon workshops will include
- Senior Wardens – Bishop Rayford High will engage senior wardens in straight talk about congregation leadership.
- Vestry 101 – The vestry is the central legal and governance body of an Episcopal congregation. Your call to vestry service requires a basic knowledge of canons, good meeting practices, and common sense. Diocesan chancellor Kathleen Wells offers insights to take the fear out of this fiduciary calling as you review the basics, including relationships with clergy, letters of agreement, and property issues. First-time vestry members get a special surprise!
- Communicating the Good News – Katie Sherrod, communication director, will help you assess your congregation’s communication strategy and make smart, effective choices to speak to the people you want to reach.
- Licensed Lay Ministries – The diocesan Commission on Ministry will explain the process for training and supporting Eucharistic ministers, Eucharistic visitors, and other lay ministers seeking to be licensed.
The $10 registration fee covers materials and lunch. Sign up today!