Rocky Mountain Conference UCC presents…

Thursday, February 2 – Saturday, February 4, 2017

1st Plymouth Congregational UCC

3501 South Colorado Boulevard, Englewood, CO

Contents 1

Vision and Theme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 5

Online Registration Instructions. . . . . . . . . 6

Lodging and Meals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Workshops – Titles and Leaders . . . . . . . . . . .

FULL Workshop Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8-9

10-14

Boundary Training - - a renewal class 15

Town Hall Gathering with Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer

Open to all – Just drop in!

16

Special Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Thank you’s 18

Faith formation happens - or doesn’t happen -

in every aspect of the church’s life:

in worship, in the celebrations of the seasons,

in the sacraments, in educational programs, in fellowship gatherings, in mission and outreach activities, in justice work, even in our many meetings.

Congregations Alive: IGNITE is designed to weave these streams together and make the many and varied “faith-forming” ministries of the local church more intentional and more effective.

Congregations Alive is for

pastors, organizers, activists, educators,

youth ministry leaders, both elected and

volunteer leaders, and everyone who suspects and hopes

that their work in the church contributes

to the formation of faith.

(That means EVERYONE is invited!)

February 2-4, 2017 First Plymouth Congregational UCC Englewood, Colorado. Early bird and group discounts are available. More information at www.rmcucc.org.

EVENT LEADERSHIP

UCC Keynote Speaker – Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer

Former conference minister of the Southwest Conference of the UCC, John is the ninth General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. He has a M. Div.from Eden Theological Seminary and a D. Min. United Theological Seminary, where he studied white privilege and its effects on the church. His new book, Beyond Resistance: The Institutional Church Meets the Postmodern World, has recently been released. John is passionate about justice. Two statements that shape his theology are:

“God is love. God is just.” We welcome John back to the Rocky Mountain Conference UCC.

Featured Speaker – Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley

Worship Leader – Rev. Lee Ann Bryce

Leanne Hadley is a United Methodist minister and has dedicated her career to working with and studying the spiritual lives of children. An experienced chaplain, she founded a Spirituality Center for the Healing of Hurting Children and Teens and served for 20 years as the minister to Children and Families at 1st United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs . Leanne’s newest book, Blessed to be a Blessing: Sacred Circle Time for Young Children, will be released in the fall of 2016. Leanne earned both M Div and D Min degrees from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Lee Ann Bryce is pastor of 1st Congregational UCC

in Fort Worth, TX, after previously serving at

Community Christian Church, Rochester NY for 10

years. She is an Iliff grad, receiving her M. Div. in

2002. During seminary, Lee Ann served as Minister

of Worship/Arts at the United Church of Broomfield

UCC.

Lee Ann was also the artistic director of Harmony: A Colorado Chorale for several years. Ordained UCC, she is active in the wider church and has served as worship leader for numerous ecumenical conferences and retreats. Lee Ann has a passion for congregational vitality and for planning worship, balancing tradition and innovation and a healthy dose of music, drama and visual arts.

SCHEDULE No meals available on Thursday; please plan time to get lunch on your own or bring a sack lunch.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017

1:00 pm Welcome and check-in. First Plymouth Welcome Lobby – south entrance.

1:30 - 2:00 pm Orientation and Introductions – in the Sanctuary

2:00 - 2:45 pm Opening Worship – in the new sanctuary - with Rev. Lee Ann Bryce

2:45 – 3:00 pm Short break

3:00 - 4:15 pm WORKSHOPS – SESSION 1 (5 choices)

4:15 - 4:30 pm Short break

4:30 - 5:45 pm WORKSHOPS – SESSION 2 (6 choices)

5:45 – 6:00pm Short break

6:00 – 6:15pm Closing Gathering - in the sanctuary

6:15 pm Dinner and evening on your own. (a restaurant list will be included in your Welcome Packet)

Gather in groups to Radically Connect and to carpool to restaurants for dinner.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Breakfast on your own. (a restaurant list is included in your Welcome Packet)

8:00 am Continuing welcome and check-in

9:00 - 9:45 am Morning Worship - with Rev. Lee Ann Bryce – Plymouth Hall

9:45 -11:00 am Keynote #1 – Rev. Leanne Hadley - Plymouth Hall

11:00 -11:15 am Short break

11:15am -12:30 pm WORKSHOPS - SESSION 3 (6 choices)

12:30 pm LUNCH – catered by “A Perfect Bite” www.aperfectbitecatering.com

Join an Affinity Table to discuss a topic of special interest; signs will mark these tables.

Other tables will have open seating.

1:30 - 3:00 pm Keynote #2 – with Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer General Minister & President of the UCC

3:00 pm Short break

3:15 - 4:30 pm WORKSHOPS – SESSION 4 (6 choices)

4:30 pm Happy Hour, exploration, displays, radically connect with friends from Rocky Mt. Conference

5:30 - 6:45 pm DINNER – catered by “A Perfect Bite”

6:45 pm Short break

7:00 pm OPEN TOWN HALL - with Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer – in the sanctuary

Closing Circle – with Lee Ann Bryce

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2017

Breakfast on your own. (see the restaurant list in your Welcome Packet)

8:30 am Morning Worship -

8:45 -10:30 am Keynote #3 – with Rev. Leanne Hadley

10:30 am Short break

10:45am -12:00pm WORKSHOPS - SESSION 5 (6 choices)

12:00 -12:45 pm LUNCH - catered by “A Perfect Bite”

1:00 - 2:00 pm Wrap-up and Closing - Leading into a time of worship with John Dorhauer, preaching -

SAFE JOURNEY HOME

Schedule times are subject to slight adjustments.

ON-LINE REGISTRATION

At www.rmcucc.org

Click on “Camps and Events”

Look for our event LOGO

Click to registration instructions.

REGISTER EARLY FOR DISCOUNTED FEES. Bring a team from your church…….. for an even better price break!

REGISTRATION OPTIONS: Price includes all plenaries, workshops, Friday lunch and dinner and Saturday lunch, snacks Individual: Received by December 15, 2016: $ 110.00 per person Received after December 15, 2016: $ 130.00 per person

2 - 3 people from the same church: Received by December 15, 2016: $ 100.00 per person Received after December 15, 2016: $ 120.00 per person 4 or more people from the same church: Received by December 15, 2016 $ 90.00 per person Received after December 15, 2016: $ 110.00 per person

PART TIMERS ?

Before December 15, one day only = $55; two days only = $110

After December 15, one day only = $65; two days only = $130

REGISTRATION CLOSES on January 19, 2017 Cancellation policy: up until January 19, 2017,

all fees will be returned except for a $35 processing fee.

No refunds after January 19, 2015,

but substitute attendees will be accepted.

SIGN UP FOR WORKSHOPS After registering, return to the Event Website, click on “sign up for workshops”. Click on your choices – one for each session. Or you may go directly to: https://rmcucc.campbrainregistration.com/

NOTE: Participants are expected to make their own arrangements for LODGING. See the next page for this information.

LODGING SPECIAL EVENT LODGING RATES at the nearby

1680 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver CO

This hotel is about 2.5 miles north of First Plymouth Congregational UCC,

on the east side of Colorado Blvd, just north of the Intersection of I-25.

It is a 7 minute drive. There is a complimentary breakfast served each morning.

To make your own lodging reservations Visit: http://goo.gl/HaLBfF

(Fairfield Inns are part of the Marriott family of hotels)

Mention the Rocky Mountain Conference UCC for this special rate.

MEALS Lunch and dinner on Friday, and lunch on Saturday

will be will be catered on site during this event,

by. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

www.aperfectbitecatering.com

Special diet requests will be available during your online registration process. All requests must be made at the time of registration - prior to the event … in order for them to be honored.

All other meals are on your own.

A list of nearby restaurants will be provided in your Welcome Packet.

Discount rate per night is

$109.00 plus tax

by

January 9, 2017

WORKSHOPS Full descriptions of these workshops can be found in this information document immediately

following this condensed list. It is repeated in full on the website.

Go to: rmcucc.org and click on “Camps and Events”

Look for the CA 3 logo, flame-colored ribbons, to register for this event and to select your

workshops.

WORKSHOP SESSION ONE: Thursday – 3:00 – 4:15 pm

1-1 Beyond Resistance: The Institutional Church Meets the Postmodern World - with Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer

1-2 Spiritual Practices to Ignite Deeper Faith Formation - with Rev. Sue Artt

1-3 Whole Church, Whole Family: Creating Multigenerational Worship – with Revs. Marta Fioriti & Lynn Hurst

1-4 Interfaith For Good - with Rev. Amanda Henderson

1-5 Gray Areas of Pastoral Boundaries - Part 1 - with Rev. Dr. Tracey Dawson Clergy and MID’s MUST take both #1-5 and #2-1 below if you want CREDIT for Boundary Training RENEWAL. Open to all.

WORKSHOP SESSION TWO: Thursday – 4:30 – 5:45 pm

2-1 Gray Areas of Pastoral Boundaries - Part 2 - with Rev. Dr. Tracey Dawson Clergy and MID’s MUST take both #1-5 above and #2-1 if you want CREDIT for Boundary Training RENEWAL. Open to all.

2-2 The Role of Holy Listener for Children & Teens that Hurt or Have Special Needs - Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley

2-3 Deepening Covenant for Fair and Foul Weather - with Rev. Sue Artt

2-4 Politics in the Church? - with Rev. Amanda Henderson

2-5 Adventures with Senior Citizens: Geezers, God, and Good Times - with Rev. Allyson Sawtell

2-6 A Word from Somewhere Else: The Bread Church - with Rev. Ian J.K. Hu

WORKSHOP SESSION THREE: Friday - 11:45 – 12:30am

3-1 Using Improv Comedy in Worship - with David Allison

3-2 The Coming Church Part 1: Spiral Dynamics - with Rev. Beth Hyde. This workshop precedes The Coming Church Part 2, but you don’t have to take both. Either one will get you started.

3-3 Deepening Relationships to Build Powerful Congregations - with Paul Turner, Rev. Chris Gilmore, & Rev. Kari Collins

3-4 Reaching Out to Those in Need - with Anne Kleinkopf

3-5 Any Body, Every Body, Christ’s Body: Becoming Accessible to All (A2A) - with Dr. Kevin Pettit and Dr. Nadyne Guzmán

3-6 Hands and Words Are Not For Hurting: End Abuse & Violence - with Ann S. Kelly and Noanie O’Brien Geistert

WORKSHOP SESSION FOUR: Friday - 3:15 - 4:30pm

4-1 Sacred Times with Children: Tools for creating an atmosphere where children and their adult caregivers can encounter the Holy - with Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley

4-2 The Coming Church Part 2: New Shapes and Settings with Rev. Beth Hyde

This workshop follows The Coming Church Part 1, but you don’t have to take both. Either one will get you started.

4-3 Mobilizing your Congregation to End Gun Violence - with Jerry Arca

4-4 Six Thinking Hats: Creative Problem Solving in Ministry - with Jackie Kendall-Gebel

4-5 Children’s Multi-Faith Camp: How to Proceed - with Del Hokanson

4-6 Good Grief: Ministry to and with those on the Journey of Grief – with Rev. Selena Wright

WORKSHOP SESSION FIVE: Saturday - 10:45 - 12:00pm

5-1 The Possessive Investment in Whiteness: Examining the Effect of White Privilege on the Church – with Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer

5-2 Worship: Where Tradition & the Future Collide in Music – with Frank Perko III

5-3 Practical Ways to Engage Youth – with Rev. Chris Gilmore

5-4 More than Warm Bodies: How to Recruit Volunteers and Sustain a Teaching Ministry – with Rev. Amelia Richardson Dress and Rev. Deborah Voss

5-5 Let Them Come: Children in Small Churches – with Rev. Jane Kramer

5-6 Loving Care for Children – with Heather Bowler

See full descriptions on the next 5 pages.

Pre-Register for your workshop choices online at the Event website. Or you can go directly to: https://rmcucc.campbrainregistration.com/

And avoid scrolling through the RMC website.

WORKSHOP CHOICES

#

TITLES, LEADER/S and DESCRIPTIONS

WORKSHOP SESSION 1: Thursday – 3:00 – 4:15 pm

1-1 Beyond Resistance: The Institutional Church Meets the Postmodern World – with Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer This is the title of John Dorhauer’s latest book. John will examine what has changed in the postmodern world, and will share discoveries from his research into postmodern faith communities. He will talk about what sacred cows the Institutional church may have to let go of in order to be seen as relevant to postmodern worshipers. John is committed to helping the Church he loves embrace the changes that are coming without sacrificing the essentials of a faith he still believes in. Rev. John Dorhauer is the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. His office is in Cleveland OH and he travels throughout the 38 conferences of the UCC. You can read more about John on our website; click on “Event Leadership”.

1-2 Spiritual Practices to Ignite Deeper Faith Formation – with Rev. Sue Artt In this highly interactive session, we'll explore two types of spiritual practices: Practices Beneficent and Practices Pernicious. Together we will explore how these practices either enhance or hobble our deeper knowing of Spirit in our lives. Each attendee will develop a plan to forward a new practice beneficent, and to help alleviate a practice pernicious. Come prepared to play and connect -- with others and with Spirit. Installed as settled Conference Minister in August 2016, Rev. Sue Artt was called to Rocky Mountain in fall of 2013. Prior, she served for many years as an executive for Mobile Oil until attending and graduating from Eden Theological Seminary in 2006, and serving St. Paul UCC in Nashville, Illinois. Currently, she is Moderator of General Synod 2017, and is eager to see Rocky Mountain forge new paths within the Christian faith.

1-3 Whole Church, Whole Family: Creating Multi-generational Worship - with Rev. Marta Fioriti and Rev. Lynn Hurst There is a (w)hole in the church when you don’t experience multigenerational life together. You will learn how to gather the whole worshipping community for a worship that is accessible to all. This is a workshop that will give an overview on how to customize your own multigenerational worship. It will be geared towards larger congregations but also applicable to small parishes. Rev. Marta Fioriti is a United Church of Christ ordained Minister and Minister of Faith Formation with an undergraduate degree in Christian Education. She has been working in the church for sixteen years. Rev. Lynn Hurst is an ordained deacon of the United Methodist Church and Minister of Music. Lynn has been serving churches for more than thirty years. They both serve Broadmoor Community Church, UCC in Colorado Springs.

1-4 Interfaith for Good – with Rev. Amanda Henderson In a world where interfaith is an inevitable part of our daily lives in our pluralistic society, we will ask how this reality is a gift for the church. We will explore what 'Interfaith' means and how can we build relationships across and honor our differences while coming together for the good of our community. In this workshop we will look at how our differences shape our appreciation for one another, and how our common hopes call us to work together. Rev. Amanda Henderson is the Executive Director of The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado and an Ordained Minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Her passion is creating space for diverse individuals and groups to grow in vibrancy and to work together for justice.

1-5 The Gray Areas of Pastoral Boundaries – Part 1 – with Rev. Dr. Tracey Dawson A Pastor's Boundaries for Care of the Congregant and the Congregation - Case Study: Runaway Train A Pastor's Boundaries for Care of Self - Case Study: Soul Killer Rev. Dr. Tracey Dawson brings two areas of expertise to the study of Pastoral Boundaries: for thirty-two years, Tracey was a criminal court judge and practicing attorney and since 2010, Tracey has been an ordained minister in the UCC. Rev. Dr. Dawson currently serves as the pastor of UCC Parker Hilltop, Parker, Colorado. GRAY AREAS OF PASTORAL BOUNDARIES are open to both laity and authorized ministers alike. IMPORTANT:Authorized ministers may plan to take these Parts 1 and 2 in tandem and receive credit for them as a BOUNDARY TRAINING RENEWAL. It is imperative that these ministers take BOTH of the workshops in order to meet their Association requirements for Boundary Training Renewal. One is not sufficient. Other people, laity or ministers NOT looking for Boundary Training for this credit, may take one or both workshops.

WORKSHOP SESSION 2: Thursday – 4:30 – 5:45 pm

2-1 The Gray Areas of Pastoral Boundaries – Part 2 – with Rev. Dr. Tracey Dawson A Pastor's Boundaries for the Care of Vulnerable Persons - Case Study: Not in My Church! A Pastor's Boundaries for Care of the Sacred Covenant - Case Study: The Burnout Rev. Dr. Tracey Dawson brings two areas of expertise to the study of Pastoral Boundaries: for thirty-two years, Tracey was a criminal court judge and practicing attorney and since 2010, Tracey has been an ordained minister in the UCC. Rev. Dr. Dawson currently serves as the pastor of UCC Parker Hilltop, Parker, Colorado. GRAY AREAS OF PASTORAL BOUNDARIES led by Rev. Dr. Tracey Dawson These workshops are open to both laity and authorized ministers alike. IMPORTANT:Authorized ministers may plan to take these Parts 1 and 2 in tandem and receive credit for them as a BOUNDARY TRAINING RENEWAL. It is imperative that these ministers take BOTH of the workshops in order to meet their Association requirements for Boundary Training Renewal. One is not sufficient. Other people, laity or ministers NOT looking for Boundary Training for this credit, may take one or both workshops.

2-2 The Role of Holy Listener for Children and Teens that Hurt or Have Special Needs – with Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley. Having a person trained and ready to provide Holy Listening at church events will provide pastoral care to children and teens who need it and will cut down on discipline issues. Come and learn how and why this ministry can help your church. Rev. Leanne Hadley is a United Methodist minister and has dedicated her career to working with and studying the spiritual lives of children. Leanne’s newest book is Blessed to be a Blessing: Sacred Circle Time for Young Children. Leanne earned both M Div and D Min degrees from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

2-3 Deepening Covenant for Fair and Foul Weather – with Rev. Sue Artt

Covenant: perhaps the most sacred relational commitment of the community we call the United Church of Christ. What does covenant

mean, and more than that, how can we rely upon it to uplift our congregations when things are going well, and when conflicts arise?

Our session will be engaging and highly interactive, as we explore the covenant practices that can buoy your church in both fair and

foul weather, and how to put them into practice in your church.

Installed as settled Conference Minister in August 2016, Rev. Sue Artt was called to Rocky Mountain in fall of 2013. Prior, she

served for many years as an executive for Mobile Oil until attending and graduating from Eden Theological Seminary in 2006, and

serving St. Paul UCC in Nashville, Illinois. Currently, she is Moderator of General Synod 2017 and is eager to see Rocky Mountain

forge new paths within the Christian faith.

2-4 Politics in the Church? – with Rev. Amanda Henderson In this workshop we will challenge the common assumption that politics and church don't mix. Rather, political issues are issues of living, and that is exactly what the church is called to. We will explore how to talk politics, and to engage in advocacy in the church and as the church, while also being faithful to authentic ways of love, grace and justice for all. Rev. Amanda Henderson is the Executive Director of The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado and an Ordained Minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Her passion is creating space for diverse individuals and groups to grow in vibrancy and to work together for justice.

2-5 Adventures with Senior Citizens: Geezers, God, and Good Times – with Rev. Allyson Sawtell What does it mean to engage in ministry with and for Senior Citizens? What works and what doesn’t? How can we engage with Seniors in the church not just as people who are “biding time” or who are even “foundations from the past” but as active and vital embodiments of what it means to be church? Let’s talk together and find out! Rev. Allyson Sawtell is a UCC minister who has served congregations in Iowa and Colorado. She has also worked at Rainbow Alley in a mentor program for LGBTQ youth, at Iliff School of Theology in a youth and vocation program, and is currently the Associate Pastor and Director of the Seniors Program at the Denver Inner City Parish.

2-6 A Word from Somewhere Else: The Bread Church - with Rev. Ian J.K. Hu

Learn how this community places its priority on being a church. The entire process of community building and faith sharing and story

telling that happens around the bread making table becomes an all encompassing Christian experience – including the sitting down

for a communal meal together. How does this experience begin to make a difference in the life of the large city of Liverpool, England?

And what might it say to your own ministry in the small towns and large cities of the western USA? Rev. Ian J.K. Hu is originally from San Francisco, California, but was recruited by the British Methodist Church to move to England.

He has served The Bread Church in Liverpool, England since 2009.

WORKSHOP SESSION 3: Friday - 11:45 am – 12:30 pm

3-1 Improv Comedy Basics – with David Allison You’ve probably seen an improvisational comedy show before, but do you know the philosophy that goes into the performance? Have you ever considered how improve builds healthy community and empowers a centered, happy, and connected life? If you'd like to go deeper into the improv experience and learn more about the guiding principles then this workshop is for you. David Allison is the Theater Director of the Dallas Comedy House (DCH) and teaches improv and sketch comedy in the training center.

3-2 The Coming Church Part 1: Spiral Dynamics – with Rev. Beth Hyde

This workshop is an exploration of Spiral Dynamics, a kind of evolutionary map charting how people and societies grow and develop.

Devised by Don Beck in 1989, Spiral Dynamics is an easy-to grasp tool that we can use to understand the rapid and complex

changes taking place in society and in the church today. Christianity is not dying; it is changing. With the help of Spiral Dynamics you

can free yourself and your congregation to become more vital and exciting as new possibilities unfold in the twenty-first century.

This workshop precedes The Coming Church Part 2, but you do NOT have to take both. Either one will get you started.

Rev. Beth Hyde is currently serving as interim minister at Mountain View United Church in Aurora, Colorado. She has vast and

unique experience both as a local church pastor and as a volunteer in the national and conference settings of the UCC. She is a past

president of the Colorado Council of Churches.

3-3 Deepening Relationships to Build Powerful Congregations – with Paul Turner, Rev. Chris Gilmore & Rev. Kari Collins Revitalize and empower your congregation through relationship building and the work of justice. This workshop will give participants a new way to imagine power and build powerful congregations through a set of relational practices rooted in the 75 year organizing tradition of the nation’s oldest and largest organizing network, the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF). Paul Turner has been an organizer with the IAF for over 20 years and has practiced the craft of community organizing for over 30 years in cities across the United States. Mr. Turner is currently working with a variety of UCC congregations in metro Denver to build an IAF organizing in the region. Rev. Chris Gilmore is Lead Pastor at Sixth Avenue UCC, Denver and Rev. Kari Collins is Co-Pastor at Parkview Congregational UCC in Aurora.

3-4 Reaching Out to Those in Need – with Anne Kleinkopf, L.M. Are you struggling with how -- and why -- to get your congregation successfully engaged in outreach to economically vulnerable members of the larger community? Learn practical approaches and theological frameworks for helping your congregants to create and sustain programs that partner with low- and no-income individuals and families to create better lives for all. This workshop is led by Anne Kleinkopf, who is the senior pastor of Denver Inner City Parish and a licensed UCC minister. Anne is experienced in both the world of congregational leadership and the world of inner city human services organizations; her profession and passion lie in bringing the two worlds together into community.

3-5 Any Body, Every Body, Christ’s Body: Becoming Accessible to All (A2A) –Rev. Dr. Kevin Pettit & Dr. Nadyne Guzmán Providing accessibility to all means more than just installing a ramp and making bathrooms easier to access. Becoming A2A means providing accessibility to all aspects of church life: worship, fellowship, and leadership. This workshop will provide background information and guidance for congregations who wish to explore becoming accessible to all individuals with disabilities, including those with physical, hearing, vision, intellectual, and emotional needs. Dr. Kevin Pettit is Chair of the Rocky Mountain Conference Inclusion Team (CIT) and a member of the national UCC Disabilities Ministries Board of Directors. Dr. Nadyne Guzmán is Communication Coordinator of the Rocky Mountain Conference Inclusion Team (CIT) and a member of the national UCC Disabilities Ministries Board of Directors.

3-6 Hands And Words Are Not For Hurting Project: Peace is in our Hands! - with Ann S. Kelly & Noanie O’Brien Geistert Be inspired! Join Hands Hearts to work together to break the cycles of child abuse, domestic and family violence, bullying in schools and suicide. Our award-winning program has proven to reduce abuse and violence in our homes, schools and communities nationally and internationally. The Hands Project is a public health awareness campaign that utilizes a universal approach to abuse and violence prevention education. Practical and innovative ideas will be provided and discussed with participants as to how to effectively implement and sustain our positive behavioral modification program in our homes, places of worship, schools, and community environments. Ann S. Kelly is the Founder/Executive Director, Hands Words Are Not For Hurting Project® a 501 ©. Ann and her husband, Bob, an Emergency Physician, work routinely with victims and survivors of violence. Noanie O’Brien Geistert is the Director of Children’s Ministries at First Plymouth Congregational UCC in Englewood and a member of the CA 3 Planning Committee.

WORKSHOP SESSION 4: Friday - 3:15 - 4:30pm

4-1 Sacred Times with Children: Tools for creating an atmosphere where children and their adult caregivers can encounter the Holy.

These techniques can be used in a variety of settings including home, church, classrooms, outdoors and wherever you seek to weave

the holy into everyday life.

Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley earned both M Div and D Min degrees from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

4-2 The Coming Church Part 2: New Shapes and Settings – with Rev. Beth Hyde The Church is changing. We can resist or hide, or we can enjoy and be challenged by the ride. This workshop will look at an amazing variety of new and different communities nurturing spiritual growth and transforming neighborhoods. Let your imagination soar as we explore a wide variety of examples, some that worked and some that didn’t, at least not yet. We’ll try to save time for brainstorming our own ideas and dreams. This workshop follows The Coming Church Part 1, but you do NOT have to take both. Either one will get you started. Rev. Beth Hyde is currently serving as interim minister at Mountain View United Church in Aurora, Colorado. She has vast and unique experience both as a local church pastor and as a volunteer in the national and conference settings of the UCC. She is a past president of the Colorado Council of Churches.

4-3 Mobilizing Your Congregation to End Gun Violence – with Jerry Arca Learn steps you and your congregation can take to focus on the continuing plague of gun violence in our country. Ninety Americans killed every single day by a bullet from a gun and legislators still unwilling to take action. Bringing your congregants together who have a passion for the issue can move the needle on gun violence concerns in your church, your community, your state and country. Jerry Arca is chair of the Reduce Gun Violence Task Force at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Denver and one of three co-chairs of Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence, a statewide interfaith coalition of more than 30 Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Unitarian Universalist congregations working together to counter the tide of gun deaths and injuries.

4-4 Six Thinking Hats – with Jackie Kendall-Gebel …is a flexible, innovative method for thinking and consensus building. It is easy to learn and to use. Take home something fresh for your committee toolbox. Six Thinking Hats was developed by Edward de Bono, M.D., Ph.D., Rhodes scholar. Jackie Kendall-Gebel, B.S., M.A.R., has been a religious educator for 36 years. She is trained to facilitate Love and Logic parenting classes, PREP Inc. marriage/relationship intelligence skills workshops and Six Thinking hats workshops. Jackie currently serves as Minister for Children and Youth at the Kirk of Bonnie Brae United Church of Chris, Denver. Jackie serves as a member of the CA 3 Planning Committee.

4-5 A Children's Multi-Faith Camp - how to proceed? – with Del Hokanson Based on the experience of venturing into uncharted territory in Colorado Springs, Del Hokanson will lead a workshop on how she collaborated and created a summer weeklong camp with an Islamic Masjid, Jewish synagogue and Buddhist temple. Bringing forth her practical ideas, she welcomes shared conversations on how to implement this very significant and timely experience for all children in our communities. Del Hokanson has been the Director of Children's and Family Ministry at First Congregational Church, Colorado Springs since 2008. Prior to this she facilitated the Grades 8/9 Our Whole Lives Sexuality and our Faith program for 10 years. Del serves as a member of the CA 3 Planning Committee.

4-6 Good Grief: Ministry to and with Those on the Journey of Grief - with Rev. Selena Wright

What is grief? How long does it last? We will discuss the wide ranges of grief that individuals and communities experience due to

losses from death,, to divorce, to systemic struggles such as poverty and politics. The church is uniquely positioned to respond to grief

through small group support, community and frequent sacred rituals. We will dive into the nuances of grief, its pervasiveness and

some of the many ways we can make room for God in the midst of grief.

Rev. Selena Wright, Pastor of Kirk of Bonnie Brae UCC, has led grief groups for community members, partnered with

Compassionate Friends Grief Group (for parents who have lost children) and coordinated and facilitated Grief Groups for Children.

WORKSHOP SESSION 5: Saturday - 10:45 am - 12:00pm

5-1 The Possessive Investment in Whiteness: Examining the Effect of White Privilege on the Church – with Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer. Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer will examine how white privilege manifests itself in our faith communities. He will also speak about the impact that has both on the overall health of the church as we know it, as well as on the ongoing health of communities of color in America. John has done Doctoral research on this and completed his Doctor of Ministry work in the field. He is pursuing a book on this subject with Eerdman’s Publishing company, has written many essays and articles on the subject, and spoken across the country about this subject. Rev. John Dorhauer is the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. His office is in Cleveland OH and he travels throughout the 38 conferences of the UCC. You can read more about John on our website; click on “Event Leadership”.

5-2 Worship: Where Tradition & the Future Collide in Music - with Frank Perko III In our ever progressive and changing landscape of worship, this workshop will feature musical explorations, of new possibilities within worship, showcasing amazing new MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) technologies, in combination with the pipe organ. The organ in worship is as relevant, and maybe even more vital than ever. Come and experience and learn what the 21st century can bring to your sanctuary and congregations. For those looking for new or other ways of doing music in the church, a way to make music powerful for worship, and a way to maintain the thread of tradition to the future, this is a must see event. Frank Perko III, Director of Music, Arts, and Worship at First Plymouth Congregational Church UCC, presenter.

5-3 Practical Ways to Engage Youth – with Rev. Chris Gilmore A workshop with practical steps to begin, enter into, and close youth group meetings with exercises that provide safe and easy ways to engage youth. Pamphlets with actual openings and closings for youth group meetings will be handed out. We will practice a few of the exercises during the workshop that can invite youth to talk on a deeper level. Rev. Christopher Gilmore has been leading youth groups (in small, medium, and large churches) for over twenty five years. He is currently serving as the Lead Pastor at Sixth Avenue United Church in Denver, CO.

5-4 More than Warm Bodies: How to Recruit Volunteers and Sustain a Teaching Ministry – with Rev. Deborah Voss and Rev. Amelia Richardson Dress We'll explore 3 key strategies for volunteer recruitment and retention in Christian Education:

1. Shifting our viewpoint: Building a teaching ministry vs. building a program 2. Avoiding traps and pitfalls in recruitment 3. Care and nurture of volunteers for long-time commitment

Rev. Deborah Voss is the Director of Christian Education at First Congregational Church of Boulder and has been in Christian Education for over 20 years. Rev. Amelia Richardson Dress serves as the Coordinator for Children and Family Ministries at UCC Longmont and has worked with volunteers in both secular and religious settings. Both Deborah and Amelia serve as members of the CA 3 Planning Committee.

5-5 Let Them Come! Children in Small Churches – with Rev. Jane Kramer Small congregation? Children in worship? Yes! Small churches can be very effective in the faith formation of children! This workshop will provide ideas for including children and making them feel welcome, engaging their gifts and energy in worship. Bring your own ideas to share as well. Rev. Jane Kramer serves as Pastor of Hayden Congregational Church since August 2015. Previously, she served as Director of Children and Youth Ministries in a larger church in southern Illinois. Hayden is her first pastoral call and the first small church setting. She especially enjoys creating exciting and fun ways to include people of all ages in worship and social events in her small town.

5-6 Loving Care for Children – with Heather Bowler Children are beloved members of our congregations and need thoughtful care. Our earliest church experiences, often in the church nursery, can lay the foundation for our life-long engagement in a faith journey. Join us to discover how child care at your church can nurture the seeds of wonder that are growing in all children through loving care and creative play. Heather Bowler has worked in both church and secular child care settings for 20 years. Currently, she is Co-Director of Progressive Christian Education at Community UCC in Boulder, CO and is a member of the CA 3 Planning Committee.

CLERGY and MID’s: If you need to renew your

BOUNDARY TRAINING REQUIREMENT

you can do it on Thursday, February 2, 2017

Congregations Alive! 3

SESSION 1 : Thursday, February 2, 2016 3:00 – 4:15pm

WORKSHOP # 1-5 THE GRAY AREAS OF PASTORAL BOUNDARIES

Part 1

A Pastor's Boundaries for Care of the Congregant and the Congregation - Case Study: Runaway Train

A Pastor's Boundaries for Care of Self - Case Study: Soul Killer

SESSION 2: Thursday, February 2, 2016 4:30- 5:45pm

WORKSHOP # 2-1 THE GRAY AREAS OF PASTORAL BOUNDARIES

Part 2

A Pastor's Boundaries for the Care of Vulnerable Persons - Case Study: Not in My Church!

A Pastor's Boundaries for Care of the Sacred Covenant - Case Study: The Burnout

Rev. Dr. Tracey Dawson brings two areas of expertise to the study of Pastoral Boundaries. For thirty-two years,

Tracey was a criminal court judge and practicing attorney and since 2010, Tracey has been an ordained minister in the UCC.

She has previously served the Rocky Mountain Conference as its attorney, and she has for the past seven years taught

boundaries training and mandatory abuse reporting to seminary students and members in discernment, active and retired

clergy, and lay leaders throughout the UCC.

She has also been qualified as an expert witness in litigation involving the standards for and violation of pastoral

boundaries. Rev. Dr. Dawson currently serves as the pastor of UCC Parker Hilltop, Parker, Colorado.

IMPORTANT: Authorized ministers and MID’s may plan to take these Parts 1 and 2 in tandem and

receive credit for them as a BOUNDARY TRAINING RENEWAL.

It is imperative that you attend BOTH of these workshops (1-5 and 2-1) in order to meet your

Association’s requirements for Boundary Training Renewal. One is not sufficient.

DURING

Friday, February 3, 2017 - 7:00pm

1st Plymouth Congregational Church UCC 3501 S. Colorado Blvd, Englewood, CO

Come and dialogue with

The Reverend Dr. John Dorhauer General Minister and President of the UCC

John will offer some reflections with time for conversation and questions.

We are opening this Friday night program to anyone who would like to come and meet John.

There is no admission fee or registration required. A free-will offering will be accepted.

An opportunity not to be missed!

Hear Ye!

Hear Ye!

during

3

John most recently served as the conference minister of the Southwest Conference of the UCC, and is now the ninth General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. Earlier, John also pastored local churches and served as conference staff in the Missouri Mid-South Conference. He has a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary, where he studied white privilege and its effects on the church. His new book, Beyond Resistance: The Institutional Church Meets the Postmodern World, has recently been released. Dorhauer is passionate about justice. Two statements that shape his theology are: “God is love. God is just.” Dorhauer was elected as General Minister and President of the UCC at the 30th General Synod, which met June 26-30, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Bookstore – Pilgrim/United Church Press titles will be available for sale and for ordering.

Displays – Several groups will have information tables available during this event.

Affinity tables – During Friday lunch, some tables (but not all) will have signs naming a

particular subject that will be discussed informally at that table. Designated table leaders will be

present. You are invited to sit at a table that particularly interests you. A list of topics will be in

your Event Folder at check-in. The remaining tables will be available for un-programmed eating

and visiting!

Lists of Displays and also Affinity Discussion Tables will be tucked in your folders.

Please share this email attachment with interested people in your church

family. Much of this information was snail-mailed to each UCC church in the Rocky

Mt. Conference, in mid- November. NEW to this packet on pages 10-14 are detailed

descriptions of the 29 workshops. These are also posted on the event website and

is part of the registration process. This document is letter-sized for ease in

reprinting, posting, distributing and attaching. Early-bird discount is available up through December 15, 2016.

You know what to do.

First Plymouth Congregational UCC,

our host church, is equipped with grab

bars in the rest rooms, ramps, automatic

outside door at the south entrance and

an elevator for easy access to all three floors.

Thank you to our generous sponsors

First Plymouth Congregational UCC, Englewood for allowing us to use their amazing facility and for a grant to fund some honoraria. Rocky Mt. Conference UCC – budgeted funds that we are allowed to “carry over “ during off-years. The United Church of Christ – a generous LCM grant Generous anonymous donors.

And to our CA 3 Planning Team (All are committed, experienced educators who volunteer to plan these Alive! events!)

Amelia Richardson Dress – UCC Longmont Connie Feist – Berkeley Community Cong’l UCC, Denver Deborah Voss – 1st Congregational Church UCC, Boulder Del Hokanson - 1st Congregational Church UCC, Colorado Springs Donna Bristow – Vista Grande UCC, Colorado Springs Heather Bowler – Community UCC, Boulder Jackie Kendall-Gebel – Kirk of Bonnie Brae UCC, Denver Jeff Bogart - 1st Congregational Church UCC, Boulder JoAnne Bogart – Union Cong’l Church of Ward & 1st Cong’l UCC, Boulder

Melinda Campbell – Washington Park UCC, Denver Noanie O'Brien Geistert – 1st Plymouth Cong’l UCC, Englewood Rob Carlson – 1st Congregational UCC, Loveland Sara Weatherman – UCC Longmont Tamara Boynton - Lakewood UCC