'Going Forward Together': Gatherings Set to Affirm Health, Unity in Episcopal Church
Episcopal News Service. October 22, 2004 [102204-1-A]
John Gaskill
Friday Forum: Voices and Views on Issues in the News
[ENS] Interest in a pair of conferences set for late October and early November continues to grow among Episcopal Church leaders across the United States.
Organizers of "Going Forward Together," a three-day event that will take place both in Dallas and Atlanta, plan to provide numerous examples of some of the most vibrant ministry taking place today in Episcopal congregations across the nation. Designed for clergy and lay leaders, the conferences emphasize "promoting health and unity in the Episcopal Church."
The Dallas event will take place Oct. 24-26, hosted by St. Michael & All Angels Church. The Atlanta event is scheduled for Nov. 7-9 at The Cathedral of St. Philip.
The conferences grew from a desire to highlight and learn from parishes that are engaged in a variety of life-giving ministries – ministries that are making a difference in the lives of their parishioners, their communities and the world.
Organizers are seeking to bring together Episcopal Church leaders who are energetic about moving forward with these vital ministries and building up the church. The conferences will feature “best practices” in parish ministry today – practical, tangible ideas participants can take back to their parishes – and encourage healthy connections among church leaders across the country.
Keynote speakers are professor-priest Michael Battle, Bishop Mark Dyer, author Phyllis Tickle, and author-priest John Westerhoff. Keynoters will be speak on a variety of issues – from dealing with conflict to understanding the church’s place in current culture to an examination of the results of just-released Windsor Report of the Anglican Communion's international Lambeth Commission on Communion.
More than 20 workshops, led by clergy and lay presenters alike, will cover topics ranging from Clergy wellness to effective pastoral care to strategies for fostering small group programs.
The list of sponsoring parishes, building on a core group of 40, continues to grow, and registration for the conferences is ongoing.
For more information, log on to http://www.goingforwardtogether.org/ or contact organizers by telephone at 901.767.6987.