Schedule, Activities and Workshops

August 29–31, 2007 • Nashville, Tennessee

Wednesday, August 29

1:30–3:00 p.m. Welcome; Session 1 — Elder as Worship Leader (Melva Costen)

3:30–4:30 p.m. Session 2 — Elders and Mission (Corey Schlosser-Hall)

6:00–7:00 p.m. Dinner (included in conference fee)

7:30–8:30 p.m. Worship at Downtown Presbyterian Church

Thursday, August 30

7:30–8:30 a.m. Breakfast (included in conference fee)

9:00–10:00 a.m. Session 3 — Elders and Prayer and Spiritual Life (Ann Weems)

10:30–11:30 a.m. Session 4 — Elder as Bible Teacher (Freda Gardner)

12:00–1:00 p.m. Lunch (included in conference fee)

1:30–2:30 p.m. Workshop Session I  (see below)

3:00–4:00 p.m. Workshop Session II (see below)

6:00–7:00 p.m. Dinner (included in conference fee)

7:30–8:30 p.m. Worship at Downtown Presbyterian Church (Moderator Joan Gray, preacher)

Friday, August 31

8:00–9:00 a.m. Breakfast (included in conference fee)

9:30–10:30 a.m. Session 5 — The Elder as Leader (William Winters)

10:30–11:30 a.m. Closing Worship (Eric Hoey, preacher)

With the goal of enabling fellowship as well as education, there is ample time in the schedule for networking with other attendees over the planned meals and breaks. 

Workshops

Two sessions of workshops will be offered on Thursday afternoon, with 18 topics offered in each one-hour session.  These are opportunities to hear more from some of the conference speakers and from other leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Please indicate your preferences for each session when you register.

B — Elders as Spiritual Leaders
The Rev. Joan Gray is moderator of the 217th General Assembly (2006) and has a special interest in spiritual leadership. Elders are not just a board of directors. They are spiritual leaders. Explore the spiritual resources God gives to elders.

C — Communal Spiritual Discernment and Meeting Styles
The Rev. Victoria Curtiss is a nationally known presenter in spiritual discernment, who brings the concept and the practical together. There is much buzz about discernment. Learn what it is really about and how your church can benefit from it.

D — Ecumenical Relations
The Rev. Robina Winbush is the director for ecumenical relations of the Office of the General Assembly, with a deep passion for our witness to the unifying spirit of Christ. Presbyterians are just one part of the larger body of Christ. Find out more about our call as elders to relate to other faith communities.

E — Reclaiming the Call
Elder Ann Weems is the author of a number of books of poetry, including Kneeling in Jerusalem, Putting the Amazing Back in Grace and Psalms of Lament. She serves on the national committee of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. The call to serve as an elder is sacred. Explore how we can reclaim the power of this important call.

F — Elder as Caregiver
The Rev. Sandra L. Randleman is the associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, where she works with the Stephens Ministry. Elders can make home visits, too! Discover some of the ways elders can serve as congregational caregivers.  This workshop will be offered once at 1:30 p.m.

G — Elder as Committee Leader
Elder Therese Howell is stated clerk of the presbytery of Middle Tennessee and knows committee work inside and out. You can’t be a Presbyterian if you don’t like committees. Learn several ways to make committee leadership more effective.

H — Elder as Evangelist
Elder Aaron Corbin is pastor of evangelism and outreach at Bedford Central Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, New York.  He was installed as a deacon in 1989 and ordained as elder in 1995; since 1999 he has been a certified lay pastor. The first job of the session is evangelism. What are ways we can share the Good News?

I — Elder Development and Training
Elder Doska Ross is the manager for polity guidance and training in the Office of the General Assembly; she has studied elder training in a variety of denominations. Training should not be optional for elders. How can we commit ourselves to be lifelong learners?

J — Elders at Faith and Work
Elder Freda Gardner is the professor emerita of Christian education at Princeton Theological Seminary and moderator of the 211th General Assembly (1999). Elders are called to lead Bible studies. Learn how to be an effective teacher.

K — Elders in Mission
Elder Corey C. Schlosser-Hall is the executive in the Presbytery of North Puget Sound and has a special interest in the mission business. Elders are anything but pew sitters! We are leaders in doing the mission God is calling us to for the world. What could your church be doing?

L — Elders as Prayer Leaders
Elder Robert Wilson is the vice moderator of the 217th General Assembly (2006) and former president of the Presbyterian Men. If you are an elder, you are probably already praying. Explore how the witness of elders at prayer can affect the entire church

M — So What Now?  Using our Talents and Gifts in Governance.
Elder Valerie Small is the manager for General Assembly nominations in the Office of the General Assembly and will inspire you to service outside your congregation. The PC(USA) is governed by ministers and elders at every level. Explore ways of using your gifts beyond your local congregation.

N — Elders as Worship Leaders
Elder Melva Costen is a widely recognized authority on music and worship. The Rev. Rhashell Hunter is director of the Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministeries/Presbyterian Women ministry unit of the General Assembly Council. The Book of Order calls elders to lead in worship. Learn ways to prepare yourself to be a worship leader.

O — Multicultural Opportunities for Your Church
The Rev. Pedro Sayago is the pastor of Beechmont Church in Louisville, Ky., a dynamic congregation where those of multiple cultures worship God together. We are living in a multicultural time. Is your congregation ready?

P — Urban Mission
The Rev. Ken Locke is pastor of Downtown Church of Nashville, located just a few blocks from the convention center, with an active urban ministry. God is calling us to remember our mission to our cities. This workshop involves a field trip (just a few blocks away) to a historic downtown church that is engaged in providing meals and other care for its urban neighbors.

Q — Youth and Young Adult Elders
Elder Gina Yeager-Buckley is the associate for youth ministry of the General Assembly Council and has a wealth of experience to share about youth and young adult members of our congregations. Youth and young adult leaders can make significant contributions to the church — including as elders.  Learn how to make the most of their gifts on the session and in your church.

R — Communion and Conversation
Elder Barbara Corwin is a member of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly and serves on the Task Force on the Future of Middle Governing Bodies.  Gary Torrens is the coordinator for middle governing body relations for the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Council.  They want to hear from you. What will our presbyteries and synods look like in the future? Come be a part of an evolving conversation.

S — Elders as Communicators
The Rev. Sharon Youngs is coordinator for communications for the Office of the General Assembly. She will help you tell your story of God’s blessings in your church. How can we best communicate the good-news mission stories of our churches within and beyond the PC(USA)?

Worship and Music

Evening worship services on Wednesday and Thursday will be held at Downtown Presbyterian Church, located two blocks from the Nashville Convention Center.

Interested in joining the volunteer conference choir that will sing at the Thursday evening service?  A rehearsal will be held after the workshops on Thursday afternoon.