Friday, June 13
Session A: 1:30–2:30 PM
Taking the Mystery out of Church Finances - CYPRESS 1
This workshop will unveil the mystery of Church Finances: Mystery to Transparency! We will be identifying who the key people are in creating the finance department, understand how the money collected is organized and spent and finally reports for both the congregation and the council that are easily understood. The mystery will then be solved!
Presented by Kim Raymond, Director of Finance, Florida-Bahamas Synod
Presented by Kim Raymond, Director of Finance, Florida-Bahamas Synod
Social Media and Digital Outreach in 2025 [and beyond] - Cypress 2
Can we do better with our outreach? If you think a listing in the phonebook is solid outreach, or if you are someone volunteering in communications at your congregation and want to learn more about reaching the people in your area, this workshop is for you. Pastors Alisha and Paul will offer unique perspectives and helpful tips, tricks, and tools for you to apply right away to improve your congregation's presence online, engage with new people, and help you to be seen in a world of online clutter.
Presented by Pastors Paul Amlin & Alisha Ungs
Presented by Pastors Paul Amlin & Alisha Ungs
Ministry at the Margins: Reimagining Church with People Experiencing Homelessness - CYPRESS 3
What happens when the people we often serve from the church become the people we build the church with? This workshop explores the story and evolving ministry of The Dwelling—a congregation that gathers with, and is led by, people experiencing homelessness. Pastor Emily Harkins will share lessons learned from this sacred experiment in community: the beauty and the brokenness, the practical and the prophetic, the surprising ways the Spirit keeps showing up. Come ready to engage stories, reflect on your own context, and imagine what it looks like to be church in places of deep need and deep belonging.
Presented by Pastor Emily Hawkins
Presented by Pastor Emily Hawkins
Introduction to Deaf Culture 101 and how to partner with Palms Deaf Church - Cypress 4
What is Deaf culture and community? Can all Deaf people read lips? What is the difference between deaf and Deaf? How can our congregation partner with Palms Deaf Church? What’s new? Join Pastor Lori Fuller as she shares the answers to all these questions and more.
Presented by Pastor Lori Fuller and her posse (Leslie Cagle and Amber Ross)
Presented by Pastor Lori Fuller and her posse (Leslie Cagle and Amber Ross)
Legacy Gifts: You Can’t Sit on a Two-Legged Stewardship Stool - Cypress 5
We are all familiar with the three-legged financial stewardship stool when we speak of short and long-term sustainability for congregations. Yet, legacy gifts are conspicuously absent from annual emphases, webpages, newsletters, etc. This workshop will focus on getting started on establishing an active legacy gift program for any size congregation, covering basic documents such as gift acceptance and endowment policies, resources for your website, newsletter, language, etc.
Presented by Pastor Ana L. Lugo
Presented by Pastor Ana L. Lugo
Exploring God’s Vision for Justice: a Just Love Workshop - Magnolia C
Justice is a word thrown around in all kinds of contexts… racial justice, criminal justice, the justice system. Are they all referring to the same thing? When we use the word, do we agree on the meaning? Maybe more importantly, do our ideas of justice line up with the justice God desires and invites humanity into throughout scriptures. Come learn more about God’s vision for justice and how God’s people are uniquely equipped for the work of justice.
Presented by Pastor Kari Niedermaier
Presented by Pastor Kari Niedermaier
Session B: 3:00–4:00 PM
A Tale of Two Terrains: Being Story Hearers Through Active Listening - Cypress 1
We all strive to be better storytellers, especially to share the stories of the vibrant and vital ministries our congregations and worshipping communities. Sometimes it feels challenging to find the right story to tell or we even trick ourselves into thinking there are no stories to tell. Even when stories are unfolding right in front of us, it is sometimes heard to see and hear them. In this workshop, we will discuss one of the most important parts of being a good storyteller – being a good story hearer. We will talk about active listening, asking good questions and how we might find stories in the most unlikely places.
Presented by Nick Kiger, Director for Mission Support ELCA
Presented by Nick Kiger, Director for Mission Support ELCA
What’s Next? - cypress 2
Where is God leading your congregation in its next season of life? In this workshop your directors of evangelical mission will share resources to help with discerning your next steps, including how to connect with your neighbors, how to share your stories of grace and service, and more.
Presented by Pastors Derek Hoven and Carlos Ham
Presented by Pastors Derek Hoven and Carlos Ham
Innovation and the Local Congregation - Cypress 3
Is your congregation thinking about applying for a Vision to Action Grant? Do you have a great idea to grow the Lutheran expression in your community? Do you need a good idea? Join us as Pastors Rob and Katie share how to fill out an application that will get noticed and help you reach out to your community. They will be sharing what works when it comes to budgeting, vision casting, evaluating, and much more.
Presented by Pastors Rob Rose & Becca Bass
Presented by Pastors Rob Rose & Becca Bass
God’s Global Mission in the 21st Century - Cypress 4
Come, experience and learn about God’s global mission through the ELCA and the Florida Bahama Synod. We are truly a church active in love, committed to sharing God’s mercy with our neighbors and participating in bringing hope, healing, mercy, reconciliation, peace, justice throughout God’s world. Together we will explore both the engagement in 2025 of ELCA Global Mission and the Florida Bahama companion synod relationships.
Presented by Pastor Kevin L. Jacobson, Director for Global Personnel, Service and Justice Unit & Pastor Kathryn Carroll
Presented by Pastor Kevin L. Jacobson, Director for Global Personnel, Service and Justice Unit & Pastor Kathryn Carroll
It’s All About Relationships - Cypress 5
Lutheran Counseling Services is a Florida 501-c3 not for profit corporation with main office in Winter Park, FL. Motivated by the grace of God, LCS provides professional counseling, mental health education and consultation for all individuals, families and communities seeking growth and renewal. Our vision is to share God's healing and abundant grace in the community. We work to create a safe place for all people to share their personal story and find tools to help make changes toward health and healing. This workshop will share with the participants opportunities, tools and resources that LCS offers for congregations, staffs and families.
Presented by Rev. Dr. Rick Armstrong, LMFT
Presented by Rev. Dr. Rick Armstrong, LMFT
